This is a feel good book. It has the added element of some mystery to it.
The pacing was quite slow but the character development is good.
The writing is very good and there are some emotional moments

Karen Swan is one of my favourite authors and I always try to savour her books! I read this in 2 sittings not being able to put it down. Her descriptive writing style makes you feel like you’re in the location the characters are. I really enjoyed this book, a good summer read. Thank you for accepting my request and I look forward to Karen’s next book.

I am finally catching up on typing up my netgalley reviews. This book was a great read, easy to follow, enjoyable plot and fab characters.

I love Swan's writing & how easily she transports you to a completely different location.
Immersive, intriguing & I adored it.

I found this book to have a very slow start, took me a while to get into the story but it ended up being a typically great novel by Karen Swan

This was a brilliant read and is being featured on my blog for my quick star reviews feature, which I have created on my blog so I can catch up with all the books I have read and therefore review.
See www.chellsandbooks.wordpress.com.

Karen Swan never ceases to amaze me with her creativity and truly spectacular storylines.

And she has done so once more with The Hidden Beach which is set in Stockholm and on the archipelago of islands too.

It is a stunning backdrop to a story that kept me on the edge of my seat unsure which directions it could possibly turn in next and being continually surprised.

I was completely drawn into the lives of all these characters, and had a real soft spot for Linus especially, for the incredibly tricky position he is now in.

And Emil is a rather complicated character and he felt well researched with regards his medial needs.

An very enjoyable and entertaining book from Karen Swan who has recently been surpassing her already excellent standards with each new release she puts out.

Thank you to Pan and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

The Hidden Beach by Karen Swan

Bel, a nanny in Stockholm, takes a call on the way to drop the children at school, advising her to tell her boss her husband has woken from a seven year coma. From this point all their lives start to unravel.

Very likeable characters though the story starts to drag a little in the middle so do stick with it.

Very enjoyable and intriguing story.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Karen Swan for this book. I had previously read and very much enjoyed another Karen Swan book and this one didn't disappoint. Far from being fluffy chick-lit, Karen's books have real depth, with wonderful characters and intricate storylines. The sense of place in this book is beautiful - I love Stockholm and it made me want to return and spend time visiting the islands in the archipelago. A really good book that I would not hesitate to recommend.

This was an entrancing book of both sadness and joy with children to keep everyone grounded. The scenic description were excellent and made one feel as though they were there. The conclusion was all I had hoped for.. Great read!.

A wonderful, summer read that is set in the Swedish archipelagos.
Karen Swan is undoubtedly a master in bringing the setting of her stories to life in the readers mind. The story gathers pace as it progresses, throwing in all of the usual twists and turns that I love, and have certainly come to expect from Karen's books.

This story is written beautifully and packed full of detail. The characterisation is fantastic, and I would certainly recommend this book to everyone!.

This is a good summer read, set in the Swedish archipelagos. Karen Swan is a master in describing locations which become alive to the reader,.The story though slow moving at the start develops into an amazing story with the usual twists and turns which I have come to expect from Karen’s stories.
Karen’s books are on a different level, very enjoyable, well researched and wonderful characterisation.
A great read that I would recommend to anyone wanting an escapist novel with a bit more depth.
Thank you to Netgalley, Pan Macmillan and Karen for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Bell is working as a nanny to a family in Sweden, one little boy and twin girls. She works well with the children, especially Linus. On a busy morning she takes a call from a clinic to say that Hannas husband has woken up, but she has just spoken to Max. So who is in the clinic? That phonecall sets a confusing and strange journey in motion. The summer is spent at the familys holiday home where Hannas first husband becomes part of their lives.
I enjoyed this book, it is a light read but tackles the intricacies of blended families and the tangles of romance and past history. The setting is very apt, the sun shines and the hidden beach plays an intrical part in the story.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for granting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Despite having a few in my Tbr pile, I havnt actually read any books by Karen Swan, although I have heard good things.
I was gripped from the start, and I was dragged so deep into the storyline I could genuinely imagine that I was there too.
It was a lot more complex than my normal, easy going reads, but this is by no means a negative - I enjoyed getting to know the characters pasts as well as their present lives.
Highly recommended.
5/5 stars for me

Bell is so much more than an employee in the Mogert household. She’s a part of the family! Often to the detriment of her own private life. And when the secret is exposed, she becomes even more entangled …

I think this line is brilliant:

“<snip> and following them back here, the lies and secrets pinned to them like shadows.”

I never knew what to make of Hanna (Max is mostly on the periphery) 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 does. 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.

The Hidden Beach 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.

A stunning read. This book gripped me from the start and immersed me in its web of relationships, memories and pure emotion. Fantastic setting which has resulted in a desperate need to visit Sweden. The premise was fascinating and the build up to the ending so gradual and tantalising. A book highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley

I loved reading this book. Karen Swans book always combine wonderfully strong elements in a delicious package. Her characters are well drawn, so that you engage with their story and feel like you know them really well. The settings are so vividly described that you can almost imagine that you are there, and definately make you want to add to your bucket list as you read. The story just sweeps you along- to make you sad that you have come to the end!

A wonderful book. I look forward to Karen Swans books every year, both summer and Christmas and this one has reached one of her top reads in my opinion. The setting sounded gorgeous, I had to keep looking up photos of the place! Typical Karen romance and I loved every page.

I love Karen Swan books she introduces fantastic settings I’ve sometimes never heard of like The Hidden Beach, set in the city of Stockholm and along the beautiful archipelagos of the Swedish coast ( had to look these up!)
Bell who is a live in nanny to 7 year-old Linus, and 5-year old twins Ellinor and Tilde, she works for well to do parents Hanna and Max Mogert.
Bell enjoys her job but a phone call one morning changes everything for the Mogert family and Bell too!
Watch things unravel amongst an amazing backdrop of islands and boat trips.
The twists and turns all have a satisfactory ending, loved it!

I have absolutely thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

I was hooked from the beginning and haven’t been able to put it down since. I spent yesterday binge reading it and was still awake late last night until I was so tired I didn’t want to spoil the last 30mins so finished it over breakfast this morning.

I loved the characters, especially Bel, Linus and Emil. The descriptions are so detailed you actually feel you are there in Sweden.

A great story about love, families, relationships and definitely recommend for a holiday read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the book.