Set mainly in Costa Rica, this is an exciting adventure story full of conflicts, drama and politics. The characters are believably crafted with realistic flaws, and not all are likeable. The romance is edgy and more about acceptance than perfection. The story follows Tara's emotional journey when she is faced with the man who almost destroyed her.

The author uses sensory imagery and her research into the geographical area and society to build the story's world. It has an ecological message delivered through the characters in a resonating way. The danger and untamed quality of the area are captured and make this a wonderful escapist read.

I received a copy of this book from Pan Macmillan via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Tara Tremain has worked hard to leave the controlling grasp of her extremely affluent family far behind. Building a life in medicine as a junior doctor she meets Alex Carter and together they build an intense relationship. However Alex isn’t all that he seems. Fast forward ten years and Tara is now an Intensive Care Consultant and together with her friends and family she travels to Costa Rica where she is called upon to help a local boy who is desperately ill. His treatment will mean that Tara has to travel deep in the perilous jungle in order to help him, but then she discovers that she needs the help of the man who betrayed her and destroyed her life ten years ago.

I loved this book, although Tara was a very wealthy young woman (I’m not!) I could still relate to her and I loved her friend Holly who kept her grounded although they were from completely different backgrounds.

The book is set amongst the hustle and bustle of London, but also the more laid back, tranquil, white sandy beaches of Costa Rica. This is a country I’ve never visited yet with the fantastic descriptions, I could see myself walking on the talcum powder sand, and dipping my toes in the warm ocean.

You can tell when you read Karen Swan’s books that she does so much research on her locations, characters and storyline, and I find that I always learn something from her books that that I never knew before.

A great book that I shall recommend to all my friends.

Karen Swan sets her books in wonderful locations, and this one was no exception; Costa Rica. Lots of twists and turns, some romance and beautiful descriptions.

I was really pleased to get Karen Swans latest book as read lots of hers, but was a bit disappointed with this one.
The story started off good for me then went downhill.
A good description of Costa Rica and the indigenous people and the tribal traditional medication with plants, but the journey through the jungle seemed so long I skipped through it quick, and found the end difficult to understand why the character would do it that way.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

I enjoyed this one which was so beautifully and evocatively written, I felt the characters emotion and could almost see myself in the jungle! A little too all nearly tied up with a bow at the end but a really warm, summer read.

Karen Swan is one of my favourite authors, so I was thrilled to receive an early copy of this book.
The Secret Path has two flawed but fascinating main characters. Alex, who admits he is prepared to do anything (no matter how morally reprehensible) if he believes it is the right thing to do, and Tara, who has always found it hard to trust anyone. The start of the story shows how Alex cruelly betrays Tara's trust, leaving her miserable and embittered. Skip forward ten years and Tara has worked hard to create a career for herself as a doctor, away from the influence of her loving family's toxic wealth. When her father invites her to his home in Costa Rica for a special event, her first instinct is to decline. Unwilling to hurt him, she decides to take her friends because she knows they will enjoy the holiday. Once there, the young son of an old friend becomes ill and Tara volunteers to trek through the jungle to find the cure. Unfortunately, the only person available to act as Tara's guide is her old enemy Alex...

I found myself still thinking about this book several days after finishing. I've always enjoyed stories with complicated, flawed characters - you know, the ones who make you yell 'No, I can't believe you did that!' at the book. Alex exists in his own world with his own moral code and hurt Tara so badly that ten years later she still hasn't recovered. When they meet again, to say they have a lot of unresolved issues and tension is an understatement. The descriptions of the jungle (and the wildlife and the insects) are so fabulous you can almost hear the rain dripping from the lush vegetation; you'll certainly be reaching for the mosquito spray.

No one does destination fiction as well as Karen Swan. The jungle setting and lovers-to-enemies trope reminded me of that old film, Romancing the Stone - there is also an action-packed finale. Refreshingly, Tara is not a trust-fund princess and is quite capable of surviving in the jungle on her own. Finding her way through it, however, is a different matter!

The Secret Path is one my of favourite reads this year. Karen Swan's fans will love it, along with anyone who loves destination fiction and a cracking good story.

Thank you to Karen Swan and Pan for my copy of this book, which I requested from NetGalley and reviewed voluntarily.

It took me a little while to get into this story but then I was hooked! It was quite an emotional read and covered a variety of topics, the difference in medicine (traditional and modern), the fate of indigenous people and protecting the environment. There was some romance and some of this was heartbreaking and definitely ‘hold my breath’ moments towards the end. There are detailed descriptions that really allow the reader to imagine the setting and get a feel of the place. I’ve read a number of Karen’s books and never been disappointed. Her characters stay with me for a long time. This story has a very satisfying ending. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just who do you trust to know your true identity? When Tara finds out the man she loved really knew who she was and just wanted to reach her father, she felt used and deceived. She gets on with her life but never really forgets him. Through a series of events that take you to the jungle in Costa Rica, she meets him again. She needs his help but can she ever trust him again. A good read with an insight into the tribes that live in the jungle.

This is a Romantic Adventure, think Romancing the Stone but with less guns and more bugs. The first part dealing with Tara and Alex's initial relationship to be honest was a bit flat, however it really came alive when she visited Costa Rica ten years later. The description of the jungle and the hardships of travelling through it made me almost feel that was there. The use of natural remedies and Tara's acceptance of them as a western doctor was interesting. Overall the message, in addition to the romance, is how important ecological balance is, the dangers posed by exploitation but also that trying to protect it can have unintended consequences. Putting that aside just read the book and enjoy it.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

In the great tradition of Mills & Boon - rich girl gets conned by man she is in love with, they separate, a few incidents and adventures, they meet again, fall in love and ... the end

If you want an effortless beach read, this is quite fun, but otherwise, not a great read

This is a beautiful read. Set in Costa Rica, Tara trying to distance herself from her controlling family is required to save a very ill child. The plot will hook you in and you won't be able to put it down. So likeable. Karen Swan does not disappoint.

I have read a couple of Karen Swans Christmas books which I really enjoyed, I was looking forward to reading this however it didn’t match up to the previous books for me.

I found the story fairly flat, it got going in the last hundred pages or so, however by this point I just wanted to be finished.

The description of Costa Rica was lovely, & the the exploration of tribes and the history there however I didn’t really care for the main characters.

There is a book for everyone, this one wasn’t for me however it may be for you!

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read & review this book.

A beautifully written, mesmerising and glamorous sweeping story of romance and adventure. Tara is studying to become a doctor when she is caught up in a whirlwind romance. Following a devastating betrayal she is determined to pursue her dreams, leading to a heart stopping adventure through the most remote areas of Costa Rica. Great read. Highly recommended.

Beautifully written this certainly doesn't disappoint.
Tara's family are very rich - obscenely rich - so she has trust issues. She is training to be a doctor when she meets Alex and it takes her some time to trust him.
Fast forward ten years Tara is a fully trained surgeon. She heads to Costa Rica with boyfriend Rory, best friend Holly and her husband and son and Tara's brother Miles. They are there to see their father hand over the conservation project back to the Costa Ricans after ploughing in a lot of money.
Jed a long time family friend has a poorly son who Tara wants to help but his wife doesn't want him treated by modern medicine. The Awa has been treating him. Tara has to accept their natural remedies first so a compromise is reached. She has to go and get a special plant and only then if it doesn't work can she take the boy to hospital.
We catch up with Tara's life during those ten years while she heads into the jungle with Jed. The journey is fraught with danger and suspense.
Karen's descriptions of the jungle were so life-like you can hear the rain hitting the leaves. Also the heat so unbearable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and would definitely recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the ARC in return for an honest opinion.

I haven't read a Karen Swan novel that I didn't love. This one is no exception. She certainly knows how to write a good romance, but full of suspense and mystery to suit all tastes.

Her locations are always evocative. This novel is set in Costa Rica and the tension created by the story perfectly mirrors the oppressive nature of the jungle. The atmosphere really draws you in and you have to read more and more.

This book would suit anyone looking for a summer/beach read that has some stunning locations, good plot and interesting characters. There are also some important environmental messages in there too.

This was a good book, very descriptive you felt like you were in the jungle, very believable characters, my first by Karen but hopefully not my last

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Secret Path by Karen Swan.

Wow! Just wow! I adore Karen Swan’s novels and I couldn’t wait to read The Secret Path, her latest release, and I wasn’t disappointed. It had everything I expected from her, several plot, twists and turns and a bit of romance thrown in too. What more could you want?

Tara Tremain was living the life she’d always wanted, studying as a Medical Student in London and besotted by her boyfriend, Alex. However, when Alex suddenly betrays her, she is forced to move on without him. Skip 10 years and she is now a Consultant Surgeon and seemingly happy with Rory. The story takes a sudden twist when Tara and her friends and family take a trip to Costa Rica and in the space of a few days, her life is upended.

Swan immerses you in the story she is telling, transporting you onto the Costa Rican beaches and deep into the Costa Rican jungle as we journey along with Tara on her adventures. Bringing together family and friends, loyalty and love, the author is adept at keeping us entertained throughout. There are many jaw-dropping moments and I often skipped to the end of the page to make sure things were ok, before coming back up and reading it properly!

Karen Swan obviously researches all her books thoroughly, and The Secret Path is no exception. Costa Rica is described so remarkably well, from the density of the rainforest to the humidity of the atmosphere, the jungle creatures that call this their home and the tribes who live within the jungle itself.

If you have never read a Karen Swan book before then make this your first one, and then go back and read all her others. You won’t regret it!

I was really looking forward to reading this after having finished some very heavy going books recently. Sadly it fell well short. Tara Tremain is basically shallow and spoilt and for someone who's training to be a doctor incredibly childish, The book set in the UK (which doesn't ring true, I doubt the author is a Brit) and Costa Rica- very evocative but a bit long winded. Medical details courtesy of Dr Google and it all makes for a very superficial read that has the disadvantage of being totally unbelievable. . Granted I did want a light weight book but this just didn't cut the mustard. Very disappointed as I was hoping for another author to join my list of "light relief" go to reads

I always enjoy Karen Swan books and was so pleased to be given the chance to read an advance copy of The Secret Path. Her descriptive writing is so good you almost feel you are there experiencing the traumas thrown at the main characters. This time we were taken to Costa Rica with Tara, a young woman who trained as a doctor to give something back for the privileged life she has had as the daughter of a very rich man.

Tara was a very likeable main character who tries to help a young, sick, boy by trekking through the jungle to find a healing herb. I thought this part of the book was excellent and I couldn’t stop reading. I would recommend this book; for me it was definitely a five star read.

With thanks to #Netgalley and #PanMacmillan for an ARC of #TheSecretPath by #KarenSwan in return for an honest review.

At just twenty years old, Tara has a promising career ahead of her as a doctor and a handsome, passionate, American boyfriend by her side….. until he betrays her.
Fast forward ten years and Tara is fully qualified and in a good relationship.
A family party in Costa Rica leads Tara on a mission to try and help a sick child. Her journey also brings her face to face with her past.

This was an enjoyable read, with plenty of twists and turns.
Karen Swan paints some very vivid and captivating images of the beauty of Costa Rica. Much needed in these times where travel is impossible.

If you have previously enjoyed Karen Swan’s writing, you won’t be disappointed with this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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