Hideaway, by Nora Roberts

July 5, 2024 Lark_Bookwyrm Book Reviews 1 ★★★★

Hideaway by Nora Roberts
Published by St. Martin's Press on 5/26/2020
Genres: Romantic suspense
Pages: 464
Format: Kindle or ebook
Source: my personal collection
Purchase: Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Audible | Chirp
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four-stars

Also by this author: Dark Witch, Shadow Spell, The Collector, Night Moves, Whiskey Beach, Jewels of the Sun, Tears of the Moon, Stars of Fortune, Tribute, The Search, Three Fates, High Noon, The Liar, Identity, Gabriel's Angel, Inheritance

A family ranch in Big Sur country and a legacy of Hollywood royalty set the stage for Nora Roberts’ emotional new suspense novel, Hideaway.

Caitlyn Sullivan had come from a long line of Hollywood royalty, stretching back to her Irish immigrant great-grandfather. At nine, she was already a star—yet still an innocent child who loved to play hide and seek with her cousins at the family home in Big Sur. It was during one of those games that she disappeared.

Some may have considered her a pampered princess, but Cate was in fact a smart, scrappy fighter, and she managed to escape her abductors. Dillon Cooper was shocked to find the bloodied, exhausted girl huddled in his house—but when the teenager and his family heard her story they provided refuge, reuniting her with her loved ones.

Cate’s ordeal, though, was far from over. First came the discovery of a shocking betrayal that would send someone she’d trusted to prison. Then there were years spent away in western Ireland, peaceful and protected but with restlessness growing in her soul.

Finally, she would return to Los Angeles, gathering the courage to act again and get past the trauma that had derailed her life. What she didn’t yet know was that two seeds had been planted that long-ago night—one of a great love, and one of a terrible vengeance...

This book contains mature content and may not be suitable for younger readers.

An enjoyable reread

I love Nora Roberts, and lately I have been on a rereading binge. Since I reread most of my favorites last fall or late this winter, I decided to reread several I hadn’t reread in a while, including Hideaway. I have to say, I really enjoyed it as much as I did the first time I read it. (This was my second time through.) However, it doesn’t quite rise to the “favorites” level, in part because Hideaway is lighter on both romance and suspense than my favorite NR books. This one book focuses mainly on Caitlyn and her growing up, coming of age, and learning to deal with the fallout of her mother’s thirst for fame and fortune at her expense. The romance is pleasant but feels inevitable when it finally begins. There’s little conflict between the hero and heroine, and the only tension in the relationship comes from Cate’s trust issues… which aren’t that much of a factor given how long she has known Dillon. That said, it was fun to spend some time with Cate Sullivan and her acting-dynasty family. And as you would expect from Nora Roberts, her characterizations and sense of place are top-notch.

4 out of 5 stars; would read again.

Challenges: COYER Unwind (2024), Chapter 2

About Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts was born in Maryland and educated in Catholic schools. She married young and worked as a legal secretary until her sons were born. In 1979, faced with a blizzard and “a dwindling supply of chocolate”, she sat down and began to write. ‘Irish Thoroughbred’ was published two years later. 30 years and over 210 books and novellas later, Roberts is one of the most popular writers of romance, romantic suspense, and (as J. D. Robb) mystery around.

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