Book #51 The Art of Hiding

The Art of Hiding by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With thanks to Net Galley for this uncorrected proof copy.

I undertook the reading of this knowing that it was classified as Women's Literary Fiction, a tag that will probably put off many men from doing the same. A pity. The Art of Hiding is a well written domestic drama, a story of riches to rags. Nina McCarrick has it all, or so she believes. A successful husband running a construction business, a beautiful home, two sons - Connor and Declan - attending a superior school. It appears that money is no object until her husband Finn is killed in a car accident and her world comes crashing down. Finn has left behind a bankrupt company, an enormous debt, school fees unpaid. As the bailiffs descend Nina has to face the horror of losing everything.

Nina and her sons are forced to return to her roots in Southampton to face an impoverished future. The despair of the first half of this book is depressing but change comes as they all have to face the reality of poverty. Money does not buy happiness and Nina and her boys are courageous in the face of adversity. Nina's sister Tiggy plays a key role in helping Nina, Connor and Declan find their true selves.

I enjoyed it.


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Book #55 Perfect Daughter

Perfect Daughter by Amanda Prowse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Perfect Daughter by Amanda Prowse is pretty much the perfect read. It is the first book by her that I have read; I was drawn to the perfect cover. I am a sucker for great covers and this has a beaut. Hard to categorise - to refer to this as Chick-lit would be demeaning. It is much more than that. It has wonderful characters and a very addictive story.

Jacks Morgan lives in Weston-super-Mare with her chaotic family – husband Pete, children Martha and Jonty and her mother, Ida. Her mundane life is not exactly what she anticipated when she was younger and she can’t help but look back on all her dreams and wonder what if… how life would be if things had worked out differently. Jacks’ dreams were put on hold long ago and unwittingly perhaps she lives her life vicariously through her daughter, Martha - wanting her to enjoy the successful life that she hasn’t. Jacks wants nothing more than the best future for her daughter instead of allowing her to lead her own life. Her husband Pete thinks differently. Jacks is also carer to her own mum who has Alzheimer’s. And it is this theme that Prowse handles with such dexterity. And events from 19 years ago finally catch up with the family with devastating consequences.

Perfect Daughter is deeply moving, laced with humour, at times heartbreaking and superbly written.

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