I felt that the storyline for this book was good, a life changing incident that affected those involved in different ways. Unfortunately there were some negatives to the novel. The chapters where not a lot happened were too frequent. We didn’t need to have Sara’s every meeting with Precious related word for word or know what her husband, Sammi, cooked every single time.. I was also a bit doubtful about Sara’s nutrition practise. But I won’t go into detail there. At one point Sara and Precious went back to the “office” after lunch, surely not, complementary therapists usually work out of consulting rooms, or a health centre etc. I myself worked as a Nutritional Therapist for a long time, out of different venues, so I felt that some of of the execution of Sara’s job was a little bit out of kilter . Having said that I thought that Adam was very well portrayed in the final chapters, where the book finally came to life. There were some instances where Bernard’s moods and sullennesses made you want to throw him off the cliff outside his house. I’m not sure someone would stick at it like Sara did, even though Bernard was in turmoil, his downtrodden characterisation was just too much. If the book was shorter with less chapters listing the minutea of everyday lifeit would be a big improvement.

Gripped from the start, I liked Sara and was rooting for her. I was drawn in to her relationship with Bernard, and keen to know his secret. If I'm honest, it wasn't as dark as I expected, even with the twist that came later. And although part of me liked him, I also found it hard to see why Sara fell for him so fast - he was whiny and annoying frequently, blowing hot and cold with her. This isn't a thriller type read, more about dysfunctional relationships and the consequences of lying. A good read, nethertheless.

The best Hilary Boyd so far. Have loved all her novels. Couldn't put this one down, was hooked right from the start.
Such rounded characters, developed in an easy style...very perceptive writing.
Sara meets Bernard by chance after using online dating unsuccessfully. They seem to have found ideal partners in each other..but Bernard has an unease about him and isn't totally straight with Sara. Things escalate and all is not what it seems.
I was really disappointed to finish the book would have happily enjoyed several more chapters! Highly recommend, and already looking forward to Hilary Boyds next offering!!

I loved this book from the very first page and would highly recommend it. Widowed Sara meets Bernard, who seems kind, handsome and everything she is looking for but there’s an uneasy feeling at his home, The Cliff House, and he has a huge secret that will threaten their new, happy life together. I couldn’t put it down and found myself putting my own life on hold, desperate for everything to work out for the two of them! It’s a book to get lost in, with realistic characters and an absorbing plot. My kind of book! Five stars!

#TheHiddenTruth #NetGalley
Wowsome family novel.
Sara Tempest has been alone since her husband died and daughters left home. But over the course of one summer she meets and falls in love with the charming Bernard. The years of heartache and loneliness are finally behind her. She quickly moves into his beautiful home on the wind battered cliffs of Hastings. But, after a while, she begins to wonder if Bernard is all he seems. He's barely in touch with his children and with stifling reminders of his wife everywhere Sara looks, the walls begin to close in. Then comes Bernard's confession and Sara's newfound happiness starts to crumble around her.
It's a family drama with a little suspense here and there. Although it was a fun read to me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Michael Joseph UK for giving me an advance copy.

Another fantastic read from Hilary Boyd who seems to champion the middle aged with such accuracy and realism!
Sara middle aged widowed and suffering from empty nest syndrome embarks on a dating journey with mixed results until she meets Bernard rather unconventionally, they appear to have an immediate spark and the relationship progresses rapidly, although there is an underlying niggling undercurrent that seems to emanate from Bernard at times and he seems rather evasive about his twin children rarely seeing them until they concede to spend Christmas with him and Sara at the cliff house, revelations are revealed with shocking consequences and the lengths a parent will go to to protect a child however misplaced! Can Sara and Bernard recover from this ? Will family dynamics/relationships ever be restored and harmonious? Such an utterly riveting and compelling read that I really didn’t want to end, would highly recommend!
Thank you netgalley for this early read.

I was looking forward to reading the latest book from this author and it didn't disappoint.

It’s been six years since Sara lost her husband and she thinks she’s finally ready to find love again. Then she meets and falls in love with Bernard and life couldn’t be better. But Bernard is keeping something hidden from Sara which could tear their fledgling relationship apart.

A good solid family drama with an interesting story line which made for an enjoyable read.