The author sets the scene very well in this epic adventure through Costa Rica and her descriptions of the rainforest were so vivid that at one point my cat walked past me, his tail lightly brushed against my leg, and I almost jumped out of my skin. Yes, the story is that immersive. You can feel the relentless humidity, hear the buzzing of mosquito's in your ears and the cacophony of the rainforest as you read. For someone who has not travelled for a couple of years (due to COVID), it certainly scratched my wanderlust itch. I especially loved the Indigenous element to the story; It is so rare to read about Indigenous characters, it was refreshing hearing their voices and their ancient ways. I dropped stars from my review as I felt it could have been shorter, there was lots of repetition on the rain forest descriptions and I struggled to relate to the main characters.

Romance in a beautiful setting. Having been to Costa Rica myself, I loved the vivid jungle setting, with the huge trees and enormous fronds of leaves slapping you in the face as you walk through. You have to admire Tara for becoming an ICU consultant, when she could have chosen an easy life, living off her wealthy father. Also for the lengths she went to trying to save the Costa Rican boy and her willingness to find and try out the Shaman's medicine. I thought her husband Rory got a raw deal though and you wonder just how long Tara and Alex's romance would last once went back to their normal lives. Loved the descriptive writing and well-drawn characters.

Thanks to Pan McMillan and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review..

The story of Tara Tremain - 20 years old, the world at her feet and engaged to American Alex when suddenly she is betrayed in a horrible way. Move on 10 years and she's on her way to Costa Rica to spend a holiday with boyfriend Rory and her best friends.

I have to be honest, that during the first half of this book I really contemplated giving up as I just wasn't engaged with any of the characters but then..... Costa Rica! Wow! Couldn't put it down after that.

Wonderful summer read.

Medical student Tara Tremain is engaged to American biology student, Alex, but then he betrays her in a way that seems utterly callous. Ten years later, Tara - now a qualified surgeon - is in Costa Rica for the official unveiling of the national park her wealthy father's money has helped establish.

Tara's feelings of guilt are very near the surface, due to the death of a young child she operated on in London, and not helped by the tension with her current boyfriend Rory. When a desperately ill young child needs her help, Tara treks through the jungle to help find the plant that may cure him but events contrive to throw her together with the man she has spent the last ten years avoiding.

This is a good read, although things took a little while to get going. I enjoyed the depiction of Costa Rica and the environmental issues underlying the story had been well researched. The central relationships were well-drawn, although I would have liked more background with Tara's family. Rory seemed to get quite a raw deal in the end even though he came across as possessive at times.

Not everyone will like the ending in terms of who ends up with who, but saying that it did make sense.

I was sent an advance review copy of this book by Pan Macmillan, in return for an honest appraisal.

I read anything written by Karen Swan. Her descriptions of places,and countries, are always so well researched.
This book was different. Taking us to Costa Rica in the steps of Tara, it became very intense. Meeting an old flame , Alex, whom she felt had betrayed her years ago, was heartrending for her. I think the most interesting writing was her trek to find a healing leaf for a very sick local child.. The journey, the pain, the near death experiences made this a real page turner.
Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review this book.

Being transported to Costa Rica was fabulous!! So much to celebrate in this interesting, relevant novel.
Tara Tremain is a medical student with her best friend Holly. Tara has had a privileged life which does mean she has trust issues. Her American boyfriend Alex has led a very different life yet there is a strong connection between them.
I did find the beginning chapters quite hard work, both in language and felt the flow was stilted, like it was trying too hard. I really didn't like some of Tara's friends. In fact there were few likable characters in the story for me. Some of the dialogue in Costa Rica was a little unbelievable for me too. And what was the secret path?? I never got that..... I did however learn a few new words in the descriptions which is always a bonus and felt like I'd had a holiday in CostaRica!
That all being said - apologies for criticisms - I did really enjoy the book. Great relevant escapism.
Compelling reading.
Fabulous for holiday reading.
Thanks to NetGalley for the early read

Thank you NetGalley, Karen Swan and Pan Macmillan for the ARC of The Secret Path. This is my personal review.
Tara Tremain is a doctor who has everything in her life she could have hoped for.
Tara goes to Costa Rica to attend a family event and finds herself in the jungle helping a sick child.
The story has its ups and downs. It has a lot going on in it. The trip to Costa Rica brought a lot back in to her life that she thought was gone.
There are for me too many things happening in the story. It was an OK book but not exactly my type of book.

Review of The Secret Path by Karen Swan

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and draws you in from the start. The story of Tara, a doctor, who is in Costa Rica for a family event and must use all her skills and wit to try and save a local young boys life. Along with an old ex who had been the love of her life and who betrayed her dreadfully ten years earlier. The writing made you feel like you where actually there in the stunning location. Recommend

The Secret Path by Karen Swan is an intense story about a wealthy family and their philanthropic support of the Costa Rican jungle. We meet Tara - ambitious daughter of a billionaire - at the beginning of her medical studies and in love with with the man of her dreams, Alex. The story continues 10 years later when Tara (now a surgeon) visits Costa Rica with her then boyfriend Rory, doctor friend Holly and her family. It touches on some of the issues faced by the indigenous tribes of Costa Rica, their culture and beliefs.
Once they arrive in Costa Rica the plot rapidly picks up pace and races to the finish line. The last third of The Secret Path is gripping and it joins the bookshelf of books which kept me up into the early hours because I couldn't put it down.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really struggled to read this book and had to give up, as all of the dialogue ran together in paragraphs, and without any character tags, it was impossible to understand. I'm really sorry about this. I was looking forward to reading it (on Kindle Paperwhite/Fire Tablet).

However, as I will not give a low star review for a book I didn't even read, I won't be reviewing this book outside of NetGalley.

My first novel by Karen Swan.

It took me a while to get into the story but I did enjoy it once I did.

A definite gripping page turner!

Absolutely loved this book. Tara is 20 year old girl a reserved young woman at university. She falls head over heals and from there her journey takes many twists and turns, We zap forward 10 years and pick up where Tara and her best friend Holly are now 30. Their childhoods couldn't have been more different, One girl being super rich and the other was raised on a single parents salary. Yet their personalities match. We shift from London to Porto Rico. At times it feels like a Jumanji adventure. Its an intricate story with many strands weaving into each other to tell an exciting and intriguing story. Tara ends up on a trek through the jungle and the description and detail are beautiful, I really felt Tara and felt her love, excitement, fear, anxiety and warmth. We even meet Shaman and tribes, science vs tried and tested earthly methods. I have left a lot out of the description as I think that the element of surprise is greater when you hit the twists and turns if you don't know too much. Thank you #Netgally

I am a fan of Karen Swan’s writing, she always conveys a great sense of location and atmosphere., with a few little plot twists to keep me guessing.
This time around we’re taken to Costa Rica’s lush rainforest - humidity, silence, indigenous culture, wonder and mystery.
For me, there was too much rainforest and not enough character or relationship. I just didn’t buy into many aspects of the plot, the starter premise for one, the glossed over 10 year interval; Tara’s non questioning of significant occurrences in Costa Rica., her non questioning billionaire father.
The electric attraction between her and Alex is just that - there’s no relationship and not a lot of conversation either!
Other than his celery green eyes, I discovered very little about Alex and formed no clear mental image of Tara. Overall, I liked it but I didn’t love it.
Thank you to Netgalley for a complimentary read, this is my personal opinion.

This book is not what you expect. It slowly hooks you in, until you can't put it down. Takes you to a different world and see how other people are. You find out that some people who you think are good are not, but then they are! Not your typical romance book. Definitely something you can curl up and read and not want to put it down.

I have read a few Karen Swan books and they don’t disappoint.
I loved the setting of this one in Costa Rica, a place on my bucket list. It was good story with likeable characters and I felt for Tara who although very wealthy didn’t want that to be the focus of her relationships with others.
I thought the writers sense of place was great, I have not been there but the heat and nature of the rugged country certainly made me think I was there.
I especially liked the modern versus traditional medicine and the importance of keeping nature protected in as many areas as possible.
I though the plot was good and it was another good escapist book from Karen Swan - I was lost in the story from beginning to end.
A solid 3 star read and can’t wait for her Christmas read which I will, as usual pre-order.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

The Secret Path was such a suprise read…love, heartbreak, drama I was totally immersed in the story and the jungle! I could almost picture myself there the imagery felt so real. Highly recommend

A story of betrayal, environmental issues and love. Tara, daughter of a millionaire falls head over heels in love with Alex but little does she know that all is not what it seems. Fast forward 10 years Tara is now a surgeon and Alex is deep in the rain forests but their paths cross again with adventures and curses. An overall good read, slightly too descriptive for me but the right amount of tension and drama keeps you hooked till the end

"The Secret Path" is another cracking read from Karen Swan. It is more than a romance, with it's background of environmental concerns, and highlights some interesting questions relating to conservation. The main characters are Tara and Alex who are from very different backgrounds but are each life-savers in their own way. Although the book starts in London the main action is in Costa Rica, which is brought to life in the great writing.

Recommended.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Careful What You Wish For 🤔

March 2011, Tara and Alex young and in love. Things are moving at a faster pace than expected, but Tara has a secret which she's yet to share with Alex, fearing when he knows, everything could change. Her best friend Holly worried for her and how things will turn out... can her worse fear really become a reality.

Fast forward ten years, Tara is endeavoring to forget her past with Alex, moving on in life both professional and personally. Whilst on holiday with friends and boyfriend, Tara is desperate to help a very sick child. Whilst honouring their way of healing first, finds herself on a dangerous trip through the jungle, bringing her face to face with the man she most wants to avoid. Can there be a happy ending for all?

Told mainly from Tara's perspective, life's throwing her many obstacles to overcome but she is a fighter. Another great read from Karen Swan, with lots going on from beginning to the end.

Don’t think I’ve read any of Karen’s books before, but I certainly will after devouring this one! Tara and Alex are the main characters and meet up again years later in Costa Rica where the jungle and local tribes take over. It’s a brilliant novel full of adventure,thrills, romance and twists. So well written you feel you are there with them, your heart in your mouth wondering how things will turn out.