Whilst I enjoyed this book, I felt it didn't quite hit the mark as Swan's other novels do. The jungle felt like the main character at times. There was so much description, it detracted from the plot. Whilst I felt Alex was redeemable, more time should have been spent on his and Tara's romance. After all, they were together for four months, apart for ten years, spent a day or so in the jungle together, and aside from the epilogue, that is all we were given. A tad unrealistic I feel. Yet the story had enough in it to hold my attention. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sunday Times bestselling author Karen Swan returns with The Secret Path, taking us deep into the heart of the Costa Rican jungle – complete with her trademark romance, glamour, and jaw-dropping twists.

At only twenty, Tara Tremain has everything: she’s a trainee doctor, engaged to the man of her dreams – Alex, a passionate American biology student. But just when life seems perfect, Alex betrays her in the worst way possible.

Ten years later, she’s moved on – with a successful career, good friends and a man who loves her. But when she’s pulled back into her wealthy family’s orbit for a party in the heart of Costa Rica, she’s flung into a crisis: a child is desperately ill and the only treatment is several days’ trek away, deep in the jungle.

There's only one person who can help - but can she trust the man who broke her heart?

Thanks to Netgalley and Pan McMillan for an early copy of this book in return for an honest review. Karen Swan is an auto-read author for me but this read wasn't for me. The romance didn't work ( I failed to see why Tara ended up with who she did) and whilst the scenery sounded lovely, this was probably the highlight of the book which it shouldn't have been.

Tara is happilly in love in Alex and he even asked her to marry him. But then he betrays her in the worst possible way and Tara’s world turns on its head.
10 years later, Dr. Tara Tremain, her boyfriend Rory and her best friend with her family, travel to Costa Rica for a very important event involving Tara’s family. They’re looking forward to some me – time, to unwind, especially Tara, as she’s just lost her first patient during operation. However, fate has some other ideas – one of her father’s employee’s son is very sick and the only remedy is to be found deep into the jungle. Without thinking long, Tara and the boy’s father get on the road. But after a random attack, Tara finds herself, looking for help, in the ranger’s hut and she can’t believe her eyes – there he is, the one person she never wanted to settle her eyes on. But Alex is also the only one who can help her right now, and time is of the essence. Will Tara be able to forget her broken heart and help the sick boy?

It was an absorbing, captivating and thrilling read and Karen Swan has – again – took us on a journey to incredibly interesting country, in that case Costa Rica, writing not only a lovely story, but also touching upon so many important things, like the state of health care in countries not so well developed and environmental protection and tradition, showing the struggles between native tribes, landowners and conservationists, who all have their own reasons how to use the land. It swept me away immediately, the descriptions of the Costa Rica’s wilderness were gorgeous and so vivid and I couldn’t have enough of them – the feel of the rainforest, of the wilderness, of fauna and flora was there, so beautiful and overwhelming.

The writing style is polished to perfection, it’s eloquent, vivid and rich but also incredibly approachable and runs smoothly and seamlessly. It’s so easy not only to imagine all the things the author writes about, but to see all the sights through her eyes and feel the heat and humidity and the danger that lurks behind every corner. I loved how atmosperic and well written it was. I loved the twists and turns in the plot, each one was more unxecpected and more dangerous than the other and it truly captivated me and my all the time increasing heart rate. This time the author has shifted the proportions in her story and while the romance was there, it was not as significant as the adventure and personal drama. I absolutely enjoyed it, though I must also admit that this time the romance didn’t convince me so much. Alex did the worst thing that Tara could have imagined and in my eyes he didn’t show any remorse, she said herself that she’s sure he would do the same over and over again, and for me it was a deal breaker to be honest. I didn’t want them to end up together. I couldn’t warm to this relationship and I had this feeling that Tara was happier with Rory. She didn’t sell this relationship to me, sadly.

The characters are of course brilliantly written and developed. They’re full of life and full of flaws, they make mistakes and I didn’t always agree with their decision but it’s only made the reading even more interesting. I liked Tara and her determination and passion very, very much. She has worked extremely hard to prove what she’s worth and didn’t want her father’s wealth get in her ways and when, then for good cause. Her adventures were like watching „Indiana Jones“ somehow, what with the car chasing, flat tires, the threat of jaguars or monkeys throwing coconut at you and the boats going over waterfall. I mean, wow. I was wondering what’s going to happen and if there is an end to the troubles that Tara seems to put herself into – voluntarily or not. But also, with this danger, the story was suspenseful and filled with tension and I really liked it. I was scared of Holly at the beginning, to be honest, but the 10 – years – later Holly, even if still so blunt and to the point, showed that she also has heart in the right place. I adored the background characters as well, we can’t forget the Indigenous people, with their traditions, they were so lovely captured by the author. The only character that made me feel unsure and I didn’t trust him till the very end was Alex – sorry, but I simply couldn’t warm to him and his ways. But, nevertheless, even those characters that were not our favourite ones, have depth to them and even though we may not agree with them, they all have their own, interesting and thought – provoking stories to tell – and what stories those are, with their beliefs and the many sacrifices they have to make, daily.

Overall, „The Secret Path“ is another winner from Karen Swan. It’s an adventurous, twisty and thought – provoking tale of love and hate, trust and betrayal, of family bonds and friendship, of deception and forgiveness. It’s like a breath of fresh air, with unique setting and pacy plot, emotional and enticing. You will quickly find yourself immersed in the characters’ lives and in the beautiful and wild setting and adoring the tantalizing adventures. I loved it, from the start to finish, this atmospheric and riveting page – turner. Highly recommended!

Wow this was quite a journey from Karen Swan in this book, I’m used to her fabulous locations but this took paradise and made it real. Tara was a twenty year old student when she met Alex, she fell completely for him until she realised she was just a means to an ends and everything fell apart for her. Ten years on she’s a successful ICU consultant with a steady boyfriend and her life is busy but stable, a family commitment requires her to go to Costa Rica, a destination she loved but has avoided to avoid Alex who has a new life out there. After a disastrous last work shift before she leaves she is already feeling unsettled and things don’t feel quite right from the moment they land. When she learns her old friends son is seriously ill she decides to do whatever it takes to help make him better resulting in having to let Alex back briefly into her life and taking an unexpected trip through the dangerous terrain.

This was a fantastic book, there’s a very serious message amongst it but really it’s escapism at its peak. I’d usually expect a destination that leaves me craving a getaway but the Costa Rica in this was so far removed from a holiday despite the idyllic beaches and holiday lifestyle. The characters were great, Tara was exceptionally strong and Alex well meaning at any cost. Despite Tara’s background her family were well written and really cared for each other. This wasn’t quite what I was expecting from a typical Karen Swan book but it totally hooked me and blew me away.

Karen Swan is one of my go to authors so when I saw she released I new book I had to read it. It did not disappoint. Absolutely brilliantly written, I loved the characters - even when some of them weren’t very likeable! I was transported to the beautiful Costa Rican jungle, the amount of detail included in this book was incredible.

Tara's parents are very wealthy and she was used by her boyfriend Alex to get a meeting with her dad to fund a project he wanted to start.
10 years on they end up being thrown back together in a Costa Rican jungle as they attempt to find a cure for a sick child and Tara has to put the past behind her and trust him again.
Another fantastic book by Karen Swan, I didn't want to put it down and pretty much read it in one sitting, letting the family fend for themselves !

Ten years is along time to wait for revenge! This book drew me in from the very first chapter. I loved the way the author left small hints/clues as to what may happen but, when it did you were still a little surprised. The book begins in March 2011 when the main character (Tara) is young , in love and a medical student. She keeps secrets (or so she thinks) from those she loves but, they have secrets too. After a life changing weekend the story continues ten years later. Not knowing how those life changing events have impacted on Tara makes you want to read on and find out. Tara has to face her past and be truthful with herself in order to do what she does best. There are lots of sub plots in and around the main story (her relationship with her best friend ,her family and her boyfriend etc) which add to the drama and overall appeal. Really well written and an enjoyable read..

Another unforgettable book by this fantastic author, I really have nothing but praise to say about this book, I honestly felt as though I was alongside Tara in that jungle feeling everything she was. I love the exotic settings that all of Karen's books takes the reader to and this one was no exception. As always the book has abit of everything, secrets, lies , terror all twisted together nicely into a kind of love story. Another five star book by an amazing lady.

I am not entirely sure what the secret path in the title is - all natives know what is secret the to white people in Costa Rica.

Having said that, I immensely enjoyed this book. The truth is: Karen Swan never disappoints. So - Costa Rica it was this time and it was so beatifully written, so immersive that I could feel the heat, see the dense forest. This story about second chances - in love, in life - is haunting my thoughts even a day after having finished reading. Tara is a phoenix - emerging after all what happened to her, all caused by somebody she loved so much. Tara is the one going through the most character development in the book: opening up, seeing things differently, healing. It would have been great to see some character improvement on the Alex's side, but all he can offer is his old self and his continuous love.

I also loved the pace of the book: starting slowly but definitely in anticipation of the disaster to come, and then speeding up (and moving to slo-mo really at some points) as the events unfold.

5+ Stars

This was a fantastic story to read, it sucked me in and kept me turning the pages, not wanting it to end. I loved it from start to finish, my only problem with it was that I wanted more! Karen Swan writes wonderful stories, not always perfect but this one is definitely one of the best and will be up there with my favourites of hers. It is exciting, dramatic, atmospheric and a riveting read. There is so much going on and with plenty of twists and turns it is definitely a page-turner.

The characters were well written and I really became involved in their lives; the sign of a great story. Tara was lovely, I really liked and admired her. Despite being from an extremely wealthy family she was determined to live a normal life and give something back to the world. Alex, well despite everything I really loved Alex too, his passion and determination. The secondary characters really add to this story making it come to life.

Set in London and Costa Rica, it evoked the feel of the rainforest, the wonderful drama of the landscape, flora and fauna. I thought the way it told the environmental aspect of the story, showing the struggle between conservationists, native tribes and landowners were very well done and made me even more passionate about the need for a solution.

As you will have worked out I loved reading this story and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is one not to be missed!

This is a really fantastic read, I thoroughly enjoyed the story line and enjoying discovering where the story took me. I would recommend this book to all my friends.

Once again Karen Swan has written exactly what I needed. Pure escapism, action, adventure, romance and intrigue.

In her latest novel Ms Swan takes us to the Costa Rican jungle where we find billionaire 's daughter Dr Tara Tremain, who is there to support her father' s charitable act of saving the rainforest with an enormous donation. Along the way Tara is forced to confront her past in the shape of the ex-fiance who betrayed her so brutally, in order to save a sick child.

This really is a beautiful book and impossible to put down. I read it in two sittings which is rare for me. Honestly I cannot recommend it enough. It's a joy.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Another great book from one of my favourite authors. Great storyline, great characters and had me hooked from the beginning.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

At 20, Tara had everything she wanted - she's training to be a doctor and engaged to the love of her life. But when everything is going well, her fiancee betrays her.

10 years later, Tara has moved on, but when she is pulled back into her wealthy family's party, she finds herself in a crisis - a child is desperately ill and the only remedy is in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle.

Only her old fiancee is able to help her - but how can she trust him?

I felt very engaged in this book - the descriptions show Karen has done a lot of research for this book, to the point where I felt like I was there with the characters.

Karen Swan is a strong author, and I don't feel as though this book is any less engaging and intriguing - and I would recommend this novel as much as her previous work!

A wonderful romantic tale spread over time. How life can change us as time passes but somehow there is always a what if lingering in the background. This carefully crafted story travels over time and continents, always keeping you guessing and enthralled as to the next move. Highly recommended.

A lovely escapism book to Costa Rica

Tara the daughter of a billionaire meets Alex while is she qualifying as a doctor and falls head of heels in love with him...Alex an eco warrior is more interested in utilising her fathers wealth to fund a project to re-establish the rain forest in Costa Rica .

Alex secures the funding , Tara feels used and cheated .

11 years later, Tara, her boyfriend, brother and his husband and her best friend visit Costa Rica for a holiday and to attend the handing over ceremony of the national park to the government.

Tara is involved in trying to help a young lad who is seriously ill .... adventures (sometimes a little far fetched but enjoyable to read)

#karenswan #thesecretpath

I love Karen Swans books and jumped at the chance to read this new offering. She obviously researches her chosen destinations well, this one is set in The Costa Rican rain forest and the vivid descriptions meant you could almost feel the rain and smell the earth.
Tara comes from a very affluent background and has always shied away drawing attention to the fact. When her boyfriend Alex betrays her trust at the start of the book , it caused the break up of their relationship and she never fully recovers from it.
Years later she has been persuaded by her family to go to Puerto Rico for an important event. Tara is now a respected Doctor and has a new partner Rory .
While there Tara meets an employees son , who is very sick. She wants to send the child to hospital but his mother insists on the tribal healer dealing with his treatments. They come to an agreement that she will travel into the rainforest to find a plant that will help heal the child. If the remedy is unsuccessful they can seek professional medical assistance.
While travelling through the rain forest , there are a series of unfortunate events and things don't go to plan. Tara ends up running into her ex Alex at the ranger station . They haven't seen each other in ten years and the meeting is strained . She now has to rely on him helping her reach her destination.
It was really immersive and I finished the book in one sitting. I found the storyline riveting and there were plenty of plot twists along the way.
The descriptions of the scenic setting and indigenous people and their traditions was impressive. Tara even comes to appreciate the wisdom of the Shamen's healing and understanding of herbal remedies.
This was a thought provoking read and I thoroughly recommend it.

I started this Friday and finished yesterday (Sunday) perfect read for a miserable weekend. Escape to Costa Rica!

Really enjoyed if and would highly recommend. I’ve read a few of Karen’s books and this again did not disappoint. Thankyou for giving me the opportunity to review ;)

Some of Karen Swan’s books are 5 stars but this one missed the mark slightly and is a 4 star read for me. The story and setting was great but I just didn’t engage with the characters as much as I have done in previous reads. It is worth your time reading if you like this author’s books but just fell a tad short this time.

Another excellent book by Karen Swan. A fab story , it did not disappoint at all. How Alex lived with himself . He was strong character. The dedication to be a doctor for Tara was amazing. The family wealth was out of this world.. Learning about Costa Rica was great and herbs and plants. .There is so much to this book. .Read it