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Hiding Behind The Couch #1
Hiding Behind The Couch
Krissi wants to know who her father is, Josh is going crazy with insomnia, Dan's dangerously out of control...
Welcome to The Circle!
* * * * *
The Circle.
Nine friends from high school.
Nine friends for life.
They had been in their final years of school when it happened. There was a party. Shaunna didn’t know who he was; she could only vaguely remember where she’d been and what she’d been up to, and tried to let the memory slip away with the hangover. Four weeks later, she was certain that night was going to be with her forever.
Josh Sandison has spent his lifetime trying to keep his friends together, never forgiving himself for being the one to push George away. Now in their thirties, they reunite in a bid to help Shaunna’s daughter establish her father’s identity.
But there are secrets and lies that have been lived too long, with the power to destroy friendships for good.
Welcome to The Circle!
* * * * *
The Circle.
Nine friends from high school.
Nine friends for life.
They had been in their final years of school when it happened. There was a party. Shaunna didn’t know who he was; she could only vaguely remember where she’d been and what she’d been up to, and tried to let the memory slip away with the hangover. Four weeks later, she was certain that night was going to be with her forever.
Josh Sandison has spent his lifetime trying to keep his friends together, never forgiving himself for being the one to push George away. Now in their thirties, they reunite in a bid to help Shaunna’s daughter establish her father’s identity.
But there are secrets and lies that have been lived too long, with the power to destroy friendships for good.
- GenresContemporaryLGBT
354 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2012
65 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 19, 2013
There are novels that have you racing through the pages to get to the exciting climax. Then there are novels with a narrator so compelling you hear the voice in your head as you're trying to fall asleep. And, of course, there are quieter books about people who become more and more familiar to you as you read, drawing you into their lives until you feel less like you're reading a book and more like someone's updating you on the news of your friends. That's how I felt reading Debbie McGowan's Hiding Behind the Couch.
McGowan weaves a tapestry from the lives of nine friends. Suspense hangs over the novel that will keep you engaged, but this book is primarily about the characters who shape the events as much as they are shaped by them. And they're compelling characters, conflicted, flawed, complicated. At times, the sheer number of characters and the complexities of their intertwined lives is difficult to keep up with—like life itself, to be honest—but the writing draws you in until you really must know how these folks are going to ride out their troubles; whether they will succeed in staying friends or not. And the achievement, as with all good literature, is that you want them to succeed because the author has drawn you into their lives.
I highly recommend this literary novel. I look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
McGowan weaves a tapestry from the lives of nine friends. Suspense hangs over the novel that will keep you engaged, but this book is primarily about the characters who shape the events as much as they are shaped by them. And they're compelling characters, conflicted, flawed, complicated. At times, the sheer number of characters and the complexities of their intertwined lives is difficult to keep up with—like life itself, to be honest—but the writing draws you in until you really must know how these folks are going to ride out their troubles; whether they will succeed in staying friends or not. And the achievement, as with all good literature, is that you want them to succeed because the author has drawn you into their lives.
I highly recommend this literary novel. I look forward to reading the next installment in the series.
August 2, 2012
To put this in the most blunt of terms, Hiding Behind the Couch is like eating fine Belgian chocolate for the first time after only ever eating Asda Smartprice chocolate.
In the last 4 months, I have read no less than 44 novels, most of which I have enjoyed at least a little. Reading Hiding Behind the Couch has been an eye opening experience and a rare treat; such a rich and indulgent vocabulary that flows so easily across the page is the rarest of precious literary finds.
I wouldn't say the novel has a protagonist, it focuses equally on approximately 9 characters, with a sprinkling of 'extras'. So many characters SHOULD be confusing to the reader, but each is like a colourful thread, woven into a beautiful tapestry which is a story encompassing so many lives and their interconnections; I did not ONCE find myself confused as to who was who or what was happening. The ideas are so clearly formulated and the characters intertwined so cleverly that it feels more as if you are watching the events unfold in front of you than reading them on paper (or screen, in my case).
The premise is very simple, but the twists and turns based on the ups and downs of interpersonal relationships make this novel a compelling page turner, something quite unlike what I had expected from the blurb. I read this compulsively, from start to finish, sometimes with my heart in my stomach, sometimes sitting forward in my seat, willing my eyes to read with more speed as the roller coaster that was the final few chapters unfolded before me - I couldn't reach the conclusion fast enough and found myself devastated when I reached it; I wanted to keep reading the lives of these wonderfully crafted characters indefinitely.
This e-book is an absolute bargain price for the literary gold within - please read it for yourself, don't just take my word for it!
In the last 4 months, I have read no less than 44 novels, most of which I have enjoyed at least a little. Reading Hiding Behind the Couch has been an eye opening experience and a rare treat; such a rich and indulgent vocabulary that flows so easily across the page is the rarest of precious literary finds.
I wouldn't say the novel has a protagonist, it focuses equally on approximately 9 characters, with a sprinkling of 'extras'. So many characters SHOULD be confusing to the reader, but each is like a colourful thread, woven into a beautiful tapestry which is a story encompassing so many lives and their interconnections; I did not ONCE find myself confused as to who was who or what was happening. The ideas are so clearly formulated and the characters intertwined so cleverly that it feels more as if you are watching the events unfold in front of you than reading them on paper (or screen, in my case).
The premise is very simple, but the twists and turns based on the ups and downs of interpersonal relationships make this novel a compelling page turner, something quite unlike what I had expected from the blurb. I read this compulsively, from start to finish, sometimes with my heart in my stomach, sometimes sitting forward in my seat, willing my eyes to read with more speed as the roller coaster that was the final few chapters unfolded before me - I couldn't reach the conclusion fast enough and found myself devastated when I reached it; I wanted to keep reading the lives of these wonderfully crafted characters indefinitely.
This e-book is an absolute bargain price for the literary gold within - please read it for yourself, don't just take my word for it!
Read
February 4, 2017Hiding Behind The Couch is available for free on my website:http://www.debbiemcgowan.co.uk/?n1=read.
I thought it might be useful, given that I am the author, to use this review space to tell you a little about the book and what to expect from it.
This is the first novel in a series, and as such it introduces the characters. Indeed, the series is character-driven throughout. Previous readers / reviewers have suggested that the characters become familiar and grow on you. They become people you know - your friends. It might not be to everyone's liking, but there's only one way to find out!
I've had to categorise the series as 'contemporary fiction', but readers will find elements of other genres in here. For instance, there is a bit of a mystery-solving in both this and book 2 (No Time Like The Present).
As the series revolves around 'The Circle' - a group of 9 friends - hopefully it goes without saying that they are quite diverse as regards gender and sexuality. Thus, this is not LGBTQ fiction, but there are aspects of the story that would fit with this label.
Finally, as you're reading this review, I'd like to say thanks for (at the very least considering) reading the novel!
I thought it might be useful, given that I am the author, to use this review space to tell you a little about the book and what to expect from it.
This is the first novel in a series, and as such it introduces the characters. Indeed, the series is character-driven throughout. Previous readers / reviewers have suggested that the characters become familiar and grow on you. They become people you know - your friends. It might not be to everyone's liking, but there's only one way to find out!
I've had to categorise the series as 'contemporary fiction', but readers will find elements of other genres in here. For instance, there is a bit of a mystery-solving in both this and book 2 (No Time Like The Present).
As the series revolves around 'The Circle' - a group of 9 friends - hopefully it goes without saying that they are quite diverse as regards gender and sexuality. Thus, this is not LGBTQ fiction, but there are aspects of the story that would fit with this label.
Finally, as you're reading this review, I'd like to say thanks for (at the very least considering) reading the novel!
February 18, 2013
Debbie McGowan is a writer's writer. It is pure fun to read her ability to take average, everyday happenings and people/characters and make them honestly fun, engaging and absorbing enough to not want to put the book down! I can't do this book justice review wise because everything I have to say has been said much better by previous reviewers! If you love good writing and are a connoisseur of quality in writing, and of beautiful prose and the effort to really bring a story to life, and if you enjoy stories populated by beautifully fleshed out characters, characters so real they could jump off the page, I can't give this book enough praise or recommendation. It is part 1 of a trilogy. Part 2 is NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT and part 3 is THE HARDER THEY FALL (upcoming release this spring). I can't wait to read the rest of this story and the adventures of Shauna and Josh and their family of friends.
June 26, 2014
What I like most about this book is the way McGowan uses the third-person narrative as if it's a character in itself. The group of friends in this novel are so close that they practically create a living entity in and of themselves. For this reason alone, I give this book five stars. Writing something like this is not easy.
Additionally, this read reminded me of watching one of my favorite television shows, Coupling. The characters in Hiding Behind the Couch jump off the page (or your Kindle, in my regard), and make you just want to read more. McGowan has a knack for writing, like the BBC has a way for putting out good television.
Highly recommended
Additionally, this read reminded me of watching one of my favorite television shows, Coupling. The characters in Hiding Behind the Couch jump off the page (or your Kindle, in my regard), and make you just want to read more. McGowan has a knack for writing, like the BBC has a way for putting out good television.
Highly recommended
August 3, 2012
I love love love this book. I found myself feeling sorry 4 the characters (well some of them ) and I had 2 know what happened. I just could not put this book down. the author spins a wonderful story around each characters life and keeps you guessing right 2 the very end. I loved it so much I wanted more just so I could find out what the future held 4 my new found 'friends' the characters were so believable I felt like I actually knew them. I would highly recommend this book.
January 22, 2015
I am hooked on the world of these 9 friends.
I did struggle a little in the beginning, because its a different style of writing than I'm used to, but once I got it, it flowed beautifully.
The characters were well developed and it was great getting into each mind.
Each character had their own story, that worked well with the main plot.
I enjoyed the brief flashbacks into their past, to fill in gaps. It did not bog the story down, or cause distractions. The author stayed on point, only giving what was necessary.
There were a few surprises I was not prepared for, but I was thrilled with.
Brilliant writing. On to the next for me.
I did struggle a little in the beginning, because its a different style of writing than I'm used to, but once I got it, it flowed beautifully.
The characters were well developed and it was great getting into each mind.
Each character had their own story, that worked well with the main plot.
I enjoyed the brief flashbacks into their past, to fill in gaps. It did not bog the story down, or cause distractions. The author stayed on point, only giving what was necessary.
There were a few surprises I was not prepared for, but I was thrilled with.
Brilliant writing. On to the next for me.
Want to read
June 13, 2016Free on the publisher's website! :D
Read
December 9, 2015I feel as if I'm letting people down by not liking this and not being able to get into it. Even skimming, I simply could not read past the first few chapters.
I have enjoyed four of the author's previous works, but I believe I had to make two attempts to finish "Checking Him Out."
Here, there are simply too many new and unfamiliar people and situations all at once. I can only identify with two or three people at a time and no more. Plus it was too wordy, and even dull, for me to enjoy reading.
I look forward to reading the next two "Checking Him Out" stories on my Kindle or on order, and will consider this one a misfire.
Update: I started reading "Hiding Out" featuring the "Checking Him Out" characters plus Josh and George from this book. So I picked this one up again and tried to see how those two go to where they were in "Hiding Out." Alas, there's another book (or twenty; I can't figure it out) in between, so I still haven't fully understood their situation.
While looking for Josh and George, I absorbed some of the other characters. Maybe I'll even start again now that I know everyone.
I still maintain that I don't like this book. I dislike most of the characters, and the action is too over-the-top. Plus there are a few typos overlooked by proofreading (missing or incorrect letters or words in several places).
Update 2: Ok I started again at the beginning. That's the only way to understand what's going on; read it twice. The other thing I noticed is that there are several abrupt unexplained shifts. I'm done now.
I have enjoyed four of the author's previous works, but I believe I had to make two attempts to finish "Checking Him Out."
Here, there are simply too many new and unfamiliar people and situations all at once. I can only identify with two or three people at a time and no more. Plus it was too wordy, and even dull, for me to enjoy reading.
I look forward to reading the next two "Checking Him Out" stories on my Kindle or on order, and will consider this one a misfire.
Update: I started reading "Hiding Out" featuring the "Checking Him Out" characters plus Josh and George from this book. So I picked this one up again and tried to see how those two go to where they were in "Hiding Out." Alas, there's another book (or twenty; I can't figure it out) in between, so I still haven't fully understood their situation.
While looking for Josh and George, I absorbed some of the other characters. Maybe I'll even start again now that I know everyone.
I still maintain that I don't like this book. I dislike most of the characters, and the action is too over-the-top. Plus there are a few typos overlooked by proofreading (missing or incorrect letters or words in several places).
Update 2: Ok I started again at the beginning. That's the only way to understand what's going on; read it twice. The other thing I noticed is that there are several abrupt unexplained shifts. I'm done now.
March 31, 2015
I am not sure what I can say to explain the "circle" I love each character equally. There are times in each of Debbie's books that I have some and then something changes and the love is back. I am totally engrossed in these books, these characters and their stories. I have read very few series like this. There is a little bit of everything. This being the real start of the story, I can't tell which book in the series is my favorite. I probably have to say Breaking Waves but Hiding Behind the Couch started it all. You will not be sorry you started reading this. The only regret I will have is when I finish. I feel part of the "circle" while I am reading these books. I want a Josh for my best friend. You will love this and you won't be sorry. Kudos Debbie to a job/book well done!!!!
October 20, 2017
I couldn't finish it, so I marked it read and gave it 1 star to move it off my To-Read bookshelf.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews