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Hidden Women #3
The Girl Behind the Curtain
Sarah Thomson and Marco Donato's complicated love affair continues - their passion is a deep one but both have been badly hurt before and are wary of exposing their vulnerabilities to the other.
Meanwhile, Sarah begins to research a new subject . . .
It's the Roaring Twenties and Katherine Hazleton is determined to be a star. Escaping her rigid upbringing in the Home Counties, she travels to Weimar Berlin, getting a job as a wardrobe girl at Max Reinhardt's theatre. One of the theatre's stars is a young Marlene Dietrich. Inspired, Katherine decides to reinvent herself as Kitty Katkin. Writing her own bawdy songs to accompany her risqué dance routines, Kitty is soon a sensation. She is in love with Berlin and her handsome musician lover, Josef. But Germany is about to change.
Will Kitty and Sarah find the love they truly deserve?
Meanwhile, Sarah begins to research a new subject . . .
It's the Roaring Twenties and Katherine Hazleton is determined to be a star. Escaping her rigid upbringing in the Home Counties, she travels to Weimar Berlin, getting a job as a wardrobe girl at Max Reinhardt's theatre. One of the theatre's stars is a young Marlene Dietrich. Inspired, Katherine decides to reinvent herself as Kitty Katkin. Writing her own bawdy songs to accompany her risqué dance routines, Kitty is soon a sensation. She is in love with Berlin and her handsome musician lover, Josef. But Germany is about to change.
Will Kitty and Sarah find the love they truly deserve?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
4 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 11, 2018
First and foremost, thank goodness this book was better balanced regards to the smut-plot ratio!
The first book in this trilogy was so magnificently balanced in all things. The main character, Sarah, and the historical figure she was studying, Luciana, both got equal time. Smut scenes were well placed in the story, not slotted in for any old reason. It was really well done. As I've already mentioned, I had issues with the lack of balance in the second book. And the third book redeemed the trilogy somewhat. As usual we get chapters from Sarah and the historical figure she's researching, but also from Marco. Which I was thrilled about of course because YAY MORE MARCO. But it felt a little here, there, and everywhere.
So this trilogy is a smutty romance. Very heavy on the smut in some cases... It lost it's way a bit with the romance side of things in the middle, but with this book read to the end I can now confidently describe this as a virtual friends to real life lovers kind of relationship, but with a Beauty and the Beast romance twist to it.
Was it brilliantly written? Well...
In the first book the author built up this brilliant online relationship-not-relationship between Sarah and Marco in a way that was realistic and believable. There was tension and mystery and I got thoroughly invested.
In the second book I think she began struggling with how to propel the relationship-not-relationship further. Hence the run-back-to-your-shitty-ex trope and why we barely got any Marco (it really felt like she couldn't think up a way to incorporate him into Sarah's life in Paris).
And in the last instalment, we got Marco's perspective (lazy writing from the author, maybe). The e-mail exchanges between Sarah and Marco in the first half of this book could have happened somewhere in the second book, you know... the book where NOTHING happened between them. But at least things happened in this one. Lots of good, necessary things.
Overall I enjoyed the romance between the main characters, even if it did get frustratingly slow in the middle. Surprisingly, it was a sweet HEA. Not a passionate union as I was expecting (as would fit in with the rest of the book).
My only criticism would be that Marco's... let's call them "injuries" to avoid spoilers... that his injuries weren't properly addressed at the end, except Sarah worrying she'd be an ass and stare at them. Missed opportunity for a tender moment of reassurance with I believe Marco's character would certainly need.
Romance aside...
My cringe-metre barely zinged when reading this book, whereas it went from zero to a hundred reading both Sarah's seemingly pointless smut scenes and Augustine's sexual experiences in the second book (and no... I have still not managed to erase the golden balls/sword hilt scene from my mind). In this third instalment, my cringe-metre barely teetered above the twenty mark. And I was only really cringing because I'm not a fan of any kind of talent/comedy/burlesque show type things. I find them loud and obnoxious and reading about the Boom Boom Club was equally loud and obnoxious. Though I did adore Marlene and other cast of characters at the club (and was saddened by the thought of what might have happened to them after that last night).
Sidenote: Aside from Marco's "redemption arc", my favourite thing about this third book was Kitty and Otto's story set at the very beginning of World War 2. They were both so sweet and happy. It hit me square in the chest what happened with the SA. So heartbreaking! Especially the whole thing with Gerd and I was shocked at the "reveal" - didn't even see that coming!
The first book in this trilogy was so magnificently balanced in all things. The main character, Sarah, and the historical figure she was studying, Luciana, both got equal time. Smut scenes were well placed in the story, not slotted in for any old reason. It was really well done. As I've already mentioned, I had issues with the lack of balance in the second book. And the third book redeemed the trilogy somewhat. As usual we get chapters from Sarah and the historical figure she's researching, but also from Marco. Which I was thrilled about of course because YAY MORE MARCO. But it felt a little here, there, and everywhere.
So this trilogy is a smutty romance. Very heavy on the smut in some cases... It lost it's way a bit with the romance side of things in the middle, but with this book read to the end I can now confidently describe this as a virtual friends to real life lovers kind of relationship, but with a Beauty and the Beast romance twist to it.
Was it brilliantly written? Well...
In the first book the author built up this brilliant online relationship-not-relationship between Sarah and Marco in a way that was realistic and believable. There was tension and mystery and I got thoroughly invested.
In the second book I think she began struggling with how to propel the relationship-not-relationship further. Hence the run-back-to-your-shitty-ex trope and why we barely got any Marco (it really felt like she couldn't think up a way to incorporate him into Sarah's life in Paris).
And in the last instalment, we got Marco's perspective (lazy writing from the author, maybe). The e-mail exchanges between Sarah and Marco in the first half of this book could have happened somewhere in the second book, you know... the book where NOTHING happened between them. But at least things happened in this one. Lots of good, necessary things.
Overall I enjoyed the romance between the main characters, even if it did get frustratingly slow in the middle. Surprisingly, it was a sweet HEA. Not a passionate union as I was expecting (as would fit in with the rest of the book).
My only criticism would be that Marco's... let's call them "injuries" to avoid spoilers... that his injuries weren't properly addressed at the end, except Sarah worrying she'd be an ass and stare at them. Missed opportunity for a tender moment of reassurance with I believe Marco's character would certainly need.
Romance aside...
My cringe-metre barely zinged when reading this book, whereas it went from zero to a hundred reading both Sarah's seemingly pointless smut scenes and Augustine's sexual experiences in the second book (and no... I have still not managed to erase the golden balls/sword hilt scene from my mind). In this third instalment, my cringe-metre barely teetered above the twenty mark. And I was only really cringing because I'm not a fan of any kind of talent/comedy/burlesque show type things. I find them loud and obnoxious and reading about the Boom Boom Club was equally loud and obnoxious. Though I did adore Marlene and other cast of characters at the club (and was saddened by the thought of what might have happened to them after that last night).
Sidenote: Aside from Marco's "redemption arc", my favourite thing about this third book was Kitty and Otto's story set at the very beginning of World War 2. They were both so sweet and happy. It hit me square in the chest what happened with the SA. So heartbreaking! Especially the whole thing with Gerd and I was shocked at the "reveal" - didn't even see that coming!
August 22, 2013
The final encore in a brilliantly entertaining trilogy. Stella Knightly weaves her way from Paris to Berlin and back to Venice, never straying to far from the bedroom, while creatively stirring a rich and lively novelistic mayonnaise that leaves a tang on the pallet. The Hidden Woman keeps her mystery until the end of a colorful dash through Germany's comet tail moment. As decadence, love & life are squeezed into submission by the inexorable, vile rising tide of extremism, Kitty Katkin, my favorite character, sweeps all before her - including Otto. But don't think I am going to ruin this for you !
December 27, 2016
voto 3.5 per l'intera trilogia di media...a volte 4 stelle a volte 3. Sicuramente ben scritto, molto sensuale e mai volgare....ho apprezzato il parallelismo tra gli studi di Sarah e la sua storia...ma avrei voluto più spazio per la sua storia con Marco Donato....consiglio comunque a chi apprezza un pò di erotismo ma senza scadere nei dettagli esagerati.
November 29, 2018
Libro scritto molto bene: il presente di Sarah è scritto in prima persona, mentre le parti delle tre protagoniste del passato, sono scritte in terza persona. Il passato si intreccia al presente tramite le pagine dei diari e segue il presente in modo parallelo ed equilibrato.
Le vite di Luciana, Augustine e Kitty sono inserite molto bene nel conesto temporale in cui hanno vissuto e la scrittrice ha trovato per ognuna un carattere differente, con i punti in comune di vivere e lottare per l'amore della vita.
Fino a poco tempo fa (ma anche tutt'oggi purtroppo) le donne venivano considerate come oggetti e le tre protagoniste vivono la loro condizione dell'epoca: Luciana ha il padre padrone che preferisce lasciarla nell'ignoranza, trasformandola in una moglie remissiva. Augustine donna disonorata che lavora per una prostituta dell'epoca, a sua volta diventa cortigiana, è ammirata per la sua bellezza, viene invidiata ma additata come prostituta e il barone la usa come oggetto sessuale.
E infine Kitty che conosce la libertà omosessuale delle persona con cui lavora e che si lascia trasportare dalla vita notturna, mentre si gode l'amore della vita mentre subisce le bruttezze della guerra.
Bellissimo il passaggio di proprietà della perla arcobaleno, che lega tutte e tre le ragazze e del ruolo che assume per ognuna di loro.
Le tre ragazze vivono l'amore in modo giovane, intenso, profondamente, amano la vita e accettano il destino in maniera differente, e Sarah da loro impara a essere forte a vivere e ad amare.
Marco... che dire di quest'uomo che si castiga e si nega non solo al mondo ma alla vita, si punisce rifiutando di farsi amare, accontentandosi di amare a distanza.
Sarah, ha come ognuno di noi una parte selvaggia e segreta che però vuole domare e trattenere, lasciando libera la fantasia per vivere pienamente solamente l'amore che tutto da e nulla chiede. Per non parlare dei suoi sogni onirici, misteriosi ed erotici.
Probabilmente il primo libro è più hot degli altri, ma non c'è niente di scabroso, perverso o tremendamente spinto: è osè e pepato al punto giusto.
Un piccolo appunto per Silvio il discreto quanto determinante domestico, che appare a margine della storia ma dal ruolo davvero determinante.
Vi consiglio di leggere questa trilogia, lasciando da parte quel titolo che poco la rappresenta, dimenticatevene e immergetevi nelle vite di Luciana, Augustine, Kitty, Sarah, Marco e di tutti quelli che li hanno circondati.
Le vite di Luciana, Augustine e Kitty sono inserite molto bene nel conesto temporale in cui hanno vissuto e la scrittrice ha trovato per ognuna un carattere differente, con i punti in comune di vivere e lottare per l'amore della vita.
Fino a poco tempo fa (ma anche tutt'oggi purtroppo) le donne venivano considerate come oggetti e le tre protagoniste vivono la loro condizione dell'epoca: Luciana ha il padre padrone che preferisce lasciarla nell'ignoranza, trasformandola in una moglie remissiva. Augustine donna disonorata che lavora per una prostituta dell'epoca, a sua volta diventa cortigiana, è ammirata per la sua bellezza, viene invidiata ma additata come prostituta e il barone la usa come oggetto sessuale.
E infine Kitty che conosce la libertà omosessuale delle persona con cui lavora e che si lascia trasportare dalla vita notturna, mentre si gode l'amore della vita mentre subisce le bruttezze della guerra.
Bellissimo il passaggio di proprietà della perla arcobaleno, che lega tutte e tre le ragazze e del ruolo che assume per ognuna di loro.
Le tre ragazze vivono l'amore in modo giovane, intenso, profondamente, amano la vita e accettano il destino in maniera differente, e Sarah da loro impara a essere forte a vivere e ad amare.
Marco... che dire di quest'uomo che si castiga e si nega non solo al mondo ma alla vita, si punisce rifiutando di farsi amare, accontentandosi di amare a distanza.
Sarah, ha come ognuno di noi una parte selvaggia e segreta che però vuole domare e trattenere, lasciando libera la fantasia per vivere pienamente solamente l'amore che tutto da e nulla chiede. Per non parlare dei suoi sogni onirici, misteriosi ed erotici.
Probabilmente il primo libro è più hot degli altri, ma non c'è niente di scabroso, perverso o tremendamente spinto: è osè e pepato al punto giusto.
Un piccolo appunto per Silvio il discreto quanto determinante domestico, che appare a margine della storia ma dal ruolo davvero determinante.
Vi consiglio di leggere questa trilogia, lasciando da parte quel titolo che poco la rappresenta, dimenticatevene e immergetevi nelle vite di Luciana, Augustine, Kitty, Sarah, Marco e di tutti quelli che li hanno circondati.
July 15, 2018
Por favor. No quiero volver a olvidarme que ya la leí para no leerla nunca más por error...
Después de tener que soportar tres libros con descripciones detalladas de las escenas de sexo, cuando llega el momento cúlmine donde se encuentran los protagonistas, uno de ellos lleno de cicatrices que merecerían una ristra de besos en cada línea de su piel para que pueda personarse... La autora no se molesta... un simple recuento de actos que ni mencionan las cicatrices. ESTÁ HACIÉNDOLE EL AMOR A UN HOMBRE INSEGURO LLENO DE MARCAS QUE NECESITA CURAR EMOCIONALMENTE!!! No merece ni una mención en el momento en que lo tiene a su merced por completo??? Por más que ya lo hubiera visto!!!
Ahora Sarah consigue un trabajo de investigación sobre la pre Segunda guerra en Alemania con los primeros indicios del nazismo.
Vive la vida de un teatro propiedades de Un judío donde convivía con gays y se enamoran dos de los participantes mientras el hermano del muchacho también desea a la misma chica.
Mientras Sarah va y viene con Marcos que no da le brazo a torcer, él le confiesa que ella había sido la enfermera que había tratado de que hablara. Él había permitido que visitara su biblioteca en agradecimiento.
Hasta que le hacen llegar el diario que él escribió después del accidente que lo desfiguró.
El se había enamorado de una muchacha rellenita y tenía vergüenza de presentarla a sus amigos. La llevó a Londres y le prestó su Ferrari pero ella se enoja porque no quiere llevarla con él a Londres y acelera hasta que se salen del camino. Ella sin cinturón de seguridad, muere.
Sarah lo vuelve a contactar cuando él había vuelto a hablar de operarse las cicatrices que nunca había tratado.
Encuentra al hermano soldado nazi del muchacho que fue llevado a un campo de concentración con falsos cargos mientras su novia inglesa Kitty huía y los reencuentra para perdonarse.
Sarah acompaña a Marcos a pedir perdón a la familia de la chica que se mató, que ya había leído el diario y sabían que ella manejaba. Corroboraron que él también pagó sus culpas.
Se casan, él se sigue operando, está recuperando la movilidad de su mano. Ahora la dibuja sin esconderse. Ella es la bibliotecaria de la biblioteca privada.
Después de tener que soportar tres libros con descripciones detalladas de las escenas de sexo, cuando llega el momento cúlmine donde se encuentran los protagonistas, uno de ellos lleno de cicatrices que merecerían una ristra de besos en cada línea de su piel para que pueda personarse... La autora no se molesta... un simple recuento de actos que ni mencionan las cicatrices. ESTÁ HACIÉNDOLE EL AMOR A UN HOMBRE INSEGURO LLENO DE MARCAS QUE NECESITA CURAR EMOCIONALMENTE!!! No merece ni una mención en el momento en que lo tiene a su merced por completo??? Por más que ya lo hubiera visto!!!
Ahora Sarah consigue un trabajo de investigación sobre la pre Segunda guerra en Alemania con los primeros indicios del nazismo.
Vive la vida de un teatro propiedades de Un judío donde convivía con gays y se enamoran dos de los participantes mientras el hermano del muchacho también desea a la misma chica.
Mientras Sarah va y viene con Marcos que no da le brazo a torcer, él le confiesa que ella había sido la enfermera que había tratado de que hablara. Él había permitido que visitara su biblioteca en agradecimiento.
Hasta que le hacen llegar el diario que él escribió después del accidente que lo desfiguró.
El se había enamorado de una muchacha rellenita y tenía vergüenza de presentarla a sus amigos. La llevó a Londres y le prestó su Ferrari pero ella se enoja porque no quiere llevarla con él a Londres y acelera hasta que se salen del camino. Ella sin cinturón de seguridad, muere.
Sarah lo vuelve a contactar cuando él había vuelto a hablar de operarse las cicatrices que nunca había tratado.
Encuentra al hermano soldado nazi del muchacho que fue llevado a un campo de concentración con falsos cargos mientras su novia inglesa Kitty huía y los reencuentra para perdonarse.
Sarah acompaña a Marcos a pedir perdón a la familia de la chica que se mató, que ya había leído el diario y sabían que ella manejaba. Corroboraron que él también pagó sus culpas.
Se casan, él se sigue operando, está recuperando la movilidad de su mano. Ahora la dibuja sin esconderse. Ella es la bibliotecaria de la biblioteca privada.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2019
3.5
¿Qué les puedo decir?
Primero que nada enserio casi no encuentro este libro y cuando al fin lo tengo, bueno...
La historia de Marco y Sarah, siento que me hubiera gustado saber mucho más de esta, más allá del misterio y los emails, si, tuvo un buen final, pero me faltó
Por otro lado lo que para mi hizo interesante esta trilogía fueron las diversas historias paralelas de los diarios que estudiaba Sarah, me encantó la historia del libro pasado y el de este, me lleno el corazón de amor y me hizo soltar unas cuantas lágrimas con sus finales.
Así que, mi veredicto final para este trilogía es que, no es mala, denle una oportunidad y más allá de considerarse erótica (que en mi opinión, la escenas imaginadas o soñadas sobraban) son unos libros con historias de vida, en diferentes épocas y enserio es lo que le da vida a todo esto.
Otto y Kitty tendrán un lugar en mi corazón ❤
¿Qué les puedo decir?
Primero que nada enserio casi no encuentro este libro y cuando al fin lo tengo, bueno...
La historia de Marco y Sarah, siento que me hubiera gustado saber mucho más de esta, más allá del misterio y los emails, si, tuvo un buen final, pero me faltó
Por otro lado lo que para mi hizo interesante esta trilogía fueron las diversas historias paralelas de los diarios que estudiaba Sarah, me encantó la historia del libro pasado y el de este, me lleno el corazón de amor y me hizo soltar unas cuantas lágrimas con sus finales.
Así que, mi veredicto final para este trilogía es que, no es mala, denle una oportunidad y más allá de considerarse erótica (que en mi opinión, la escenas imaginadas o soñadas sobraban) son unos libros con historias de vida, en diferentes épocas y enserio es lo que le da vida a todo esto.
Otto y Kitty tendrán un lugar en mi corazón ❤
September 24, 2018
Not as good as The Girl Behind the Fan but I wanted to find out if Sarah and Marco would end up together. Enjoyable but the fast-paced intensity of the previous book was not evident here.
December 19, 2016
http://www.nyx-shadow.com/2016/12/les...
Voici donc la fin de la mystérieuse trilogie qui a débuté à Venise.
J'ai aimé lire l'histoire de Kitty même si, comme pour les autres femmes, elle reste aussi belle et romantique que tragique.
Je comprend que certains lecteurs aient été déçus par le manque de flamboyance de l'histoire entre Sarah et Marco, mais pour ma part cela ne m'a pas dérangé.
Les coïncidences étaient un peu trop nombreuses, mais j'ai aimé une fin plus tranquille pour une histoire qui avait déjà vécue de nombreux rebondissements.
Voici donc la fin de la mystérieuse trilogie qui a débuté à Venise.
J'ai aimé lire l'histoire de Kitty même si, comme pour les autres femmes, elle reste aussi belle et romantique que tragique.
Je comprend que certains lecteurs aient été déçus par le manque de flamboyance de l'histoire entre Sarah et Marco, mais pour ma part cela ne m'a pas dérangé.
Les coïncidences étaient un peu trop nombreuses, mais j'ai aimé une fin plus tranquille pour une histoire qui avait déjà vécue de nombreux rebondissements.
August 31, 2013
Just like the other two books this final one is set in two points of views, Sarah Thomson is back this time in Berlin teaching English to students. It is recapping over the time that she spend in Berlin, the people she meet there and also about Marco Donato and the connection they share with each other.
When Sarah is in Berlin she begins researching the life of Katherine Hazelton or as her stage name Kitty Katkin. Kitty is a singer and performer from the early 1900s, her story though starts in 1930 in a club. Her story is also set in Berlin and her life there, her life is just as complicated as Sarah's. When Kitty meets Otto Schmidt, a musician and later become the one person she can rely on the most as a friend and as a lover.
Sarah already has friends that she knew from years previous, these being Clare and Harry. So after Sarah finds a old box that is full of years old secrets, she can't help but feel the need to read about the secrets and people that they once belonged to. Reading the diary that was included in the box, Sarah began reading about the life of Kitty and the loves of her life.
As well as reading about Kitty love story, Sarah was still trying to figure out her own with Marco who she felt such a connection too yet didn't know what to make of this mysterious man that held a part of her life. Yet when Steven comes into picture she is conflicted by the two men in her life and the choices that she has to make. Yet after read about all of these three women she knows what she must do, as because of them she now knows what true love is and what lengths people will go to for that one person who make your life whole.
This is a amazing conclusion to this spectator series, that contained everything you could want in a book. It had characters with depth and were very likeable, it had sexy and passionate themes
If I had to sum up this book in three words they would be Amazing, Powerful and Unforgettable.
Though if I had to sum up this whole series in a sentence it would be, 'Passionate love stories that stretches across years yet are so powerful and touching that they live on in your heart forever'.
When Sarah is in Berlin she begins researching the life of Katherine Hazelton or as her stage name Kitty Katkin. Kitty is a singer and performer from the early 1900s, her story though starts in 1930 in a club. Her story is also set in Berlin and her life there, her life is just as complicated as Sarah's. When Kitty meets Otto Schmidt, a musician and later become the one person she can rely on the most as a friend and as a lover.
Sarah already has friends that she knew from years previous, these being Clare and Harry. So after Sarah finds a old box that is full of years old secrets, she can't help but feel the need to read about the secrets and people that they once belonged to. Reading the diary that was included in the box, Sarah began reading about the life of Kitty and the loves of her life.
As well as reading about Kitty love story, Sarah was still trying to figure out her own with Marco who she felt such a connection too yet didn't know what to make of this mysterious man that held a part of her life. Yet when Steven comes into picture she is conflicted by the two men in her life and the choices that she has to make. Yet after read about all of these three women she knows what she must do, as because of them she now knows what true love is and what lengths people will go to for that one person who make your life whole.
This is a amazing conclusion to this spectator series, that contained everything you could want in a book. It had characters with depth and were very likeable, it had sexy and passionate themes
If I had to sum up this book in three words they would be Amazing, Powerful and Unforgettable.
Though if I had to sum up this whole series in a sentence it would be, 'Passionate love stories that stretches across years yet are so powerful and touching that they live on in your heart forever'.
March 16, 2015
Below is some my thoughts on the entire Hidden Women Series by Stella Knightley. For the full review visit my blog
Each book in the series follows Sarah Thomson a historian who appears to focus on the forgotten women in history. The ordinary women in history who lived extraordinary lives. In each book she is based in a different city for research purposes; first Venice, then Paris and finally Berlin. The cities are almost a character in themselves and become such an integral part of the story both past and present.
I say both past and present because this is a dual story. Split between the perspective of the contemporary Sarah Thomson and the historical (I assume fictional) females she is researching. In the course of three books we are given four different love stories as we follow the romantic ups and downs of four women in history and the men they love.
Although this series was advertise as a Fifty Shades alternative to me it far outstripped that trilogy. Yes it has a lot of sex in, and some of it is fairly risqué but to me this wasn't the reason I loved this series. I loved it for its intelligence, for the compassion and bravery of characters, for the romance between Sarah and Marco, for the brilliant and beautiful writing of Stella Knightley...
Each book in the series follows Sarah Thomson a historian who appears to focus on the forgotten women in history. The ordinary women in history who lived extraordinary lives. In each book she is based in a different city for research purposes; first Venice, then Paris and finally Berlin. The cities are almost a character in themselves and become such an integral part of the story both past and present.
I say both past and present because this is a dual story. Split between the perspective of the contemporary Sarah Thomson and the historical (I assume fictional) females she is researching. In the course of three books we are given four different love stories as we follow the romantic ups and downs of four women in history and the men they love.
Although this series was advertise as a Fifty Shades alternative to me it far outstripped that trilogy. Yes it has a lot of sex in, and some of it is fairly risqué but to me this wasn't the reason I loved this series. I loved it for its intelligence, for the compassion and bravery of characters, for the romance between Sarah and Marco, for the brilliant and beautiful writing of Stella Knightley...
August 26, 2015
Carino.
Come era già capitato per lo scorso capitolo mi sono dovuta ricredere riguardo uno dei personaggi che, in principio, pensavo fosse un'altra persona. Questa cosa mi ha favorevolmente sorpresa, ma non abbastanza da far lievitare il mio giudizio.
Alla fine di questo cammino posso dire che ho trovato Sarah un personaggio autentico, non privo di difetti, cieca di fronte all'amore, che non desidera stare da sola, ma che alla fine sceglie il meglio per LEI. Credo che sia realistico come personaggio perchè non è scontata, anche lei fa degli errori, anche lei come molte donne è innamorata dell'amore romantico e quindi idealizza le sue storie, finendo poi per sbattere il grugno contro la dura realtà.
Devo dire che ho molto apprezzato il giro storico che l'autrice ci permette di fare attraverso le storie che legge. Io non sono un'appassionata di romanzi storici, ma la Knightley mi ha fatto ricredere e per questo la ringrazio.
I personaggi maschili mi hanno profondamente deluso, ma non perchè siano insulsi, bensì perchè sono caratterizzati in modo negativo dall'autrice: Steven è un traditore e anche un po' viscido, Marco è un depresso cronico che non riesce a capire quale fortuna gli sia capitata a restare vivo, Otto è quello che se la cava meglio, ma muore per aver aperto la bocca prima di aver azionato il cervello.
Le donne ne escono sicuramente meglio.
Come era già capitato per lo scorso capitolo mi sono dovuta ricredere riguardo uno dei personaggi che, in principio, pensavo fosse un'altra persona. Questa cosa mi ha favorevolmente sorpresa, ma non abbastanza da far lievitare il mio giudizio.
Alla fine di questo cammino posso dire che ho trovato Sarah un personaggio autentico, non privo di difetti, cieca di fronte all'amore, che non desidera stare da sola, ma che alla fine sceglie il meglio per LEI. Credo che sia realistico come personaggio perchè non è scontata, anche lei fa degli errori, anche lei come molte donne è innamorata dell'amore romantico e quindi idealizza le sue storie, finendo poi per sbattere il grugno contro la dura realtà.
Devo dire che ho molto apprezzato il giro storico che l'autrice ci permette di fare attraverso le storie che legge. Io non sono un'appassionata di romanzi storici, ma la Knightley mi ha fatto ricredere e per questo la ringrazio.
I personaggi maschili mi hanno profondamente deluso, ma non perchè siano insulsi, bensì perchè sono caratterizzati in modo negativo dall'autrice: Steven è un traditore e anche un po' viscido, Marco è un depresso cronico che non riesce a capire quale fortuna gli sia capitata a restare vivo, Otto è quello che se la cava meglio, ma muore per aver aperto la bocca prima di aver azionato il cervello.
Le donne ne escono sicuramente meglio.
December 29, 2013
Originally posted on my blog.
So, this is it. The last book in Stella Knightley's Hidden Women trilogy and, I must say, it went far beyond my expectations.
The Girl Behind the Curtain continues the same structure, with Sarah's story running alongside that of a historical research subject – this time the fun, brave, and lovable Kitty. There are less sex scenes here than in the previous novels, but I found this to be very fitting of the plot's development and underlying message. Anything more would have seemed gratuitous.
And though I'm sad that such a fabulous story has ended, I absolutely loved its conclusion. I stayed up for hours one night to finish the book because I was dying to find out the truth behind each mystery; including what becomes of Kitty and Otto's relationship and, of course, whether Sarah and Marco are finally able to make it work.
Altogether, The Girl Behind the Curtain is a sweet, emotional, and atmospheric conclusion to an inspiring trilogy, and reveals a powerful message about the true value of love. I cannot recommend it enough!
So, this is it. The last book in Stella Knightley's Hidden Women trilogy and, I must say, it went far beyond my expectations.
The Girl Behind the Curtain continues the same structure, with Sarah's story running alongside that of a historical research subject – this time the fun, brave, and lovable Kitty. There are less sex scenes here than in the previous novels, but I found this to be very fitting of the plot's development and underlying message. Anything more would have seemed gratuitous.
And though I'm sad that such a fabulous story has ended, I absolutely loved its conclusion. I stayed up for hours one night to finish the book because I was dying to find out the truth behind each mystery; including what becomes of Kitty and Otto's relationship and, of course, whether Sarah and Marco are finally able to make it work.
Altogether, The Girl Behind the Curtain is a sweet, emotional, and atmospheric conclusion to an inspiring trilogy, and reveals a powerful message about the true value of love. I cannot recommend it enough!
June 23, 2014
2 beautiful love stories in one book (Marco & Sarah, Otto & Kitty)
Agak-agak tersentuh baca buku ketiga ini. Kisah Marco dan Sarah bisa dibilang true love mungkin, bagi yang hopeless romantic. They see beyond imperfections. Dan penuh perjuangan pula. Dari awalnya nggak kenal muka, dekat karena surat-menyurat, setelah ketemu ada penyangkalan hati, sampai harus 'ditegur' dan 'diingatkan' oleh 3 cerita di masa lalu (satu cerita di setiap buku di trilogi Hidden Women ini).
Plot buku 1 dan 2 bisa terbaca (dan klise macam sinetron, ternyata tokoh ini itunya si anu, dll), buku ketiga pun ada sedikit, tapi ada beberapa kejutan juga, seperti kisah masa lalu Marco yang menyimpan cerita lebih dalam dari yang pembaca tahu. Buku 1 dan 2 jelas2 erotic romance, tapi buku 3 ini agak halus dan lebih mengangkat makna cinta itu sendiri.
Agak-agak tersentuh baca buku ketiga ini. Kisah Marco dan Sarah bisa dibilang true love mungkin, bagi yang hopeless romantic. They see beyond imperfections. Dan penuh perjuangan pula. Dari awalnya nggak kenal muka, dekat karena surat-menyurat, setelah ketemu ada penyangkalan hati, sampai harus 'ditegur' dan 'diingatkan' oleh 3 cerita di masa lalu (satu cerita di setiap buku di trilogi Hidden Women ini).
Plot buku 1 dan 2 bisa terbaca (dan klise macam sinetron, ternyata tokoh ini itunya si anu, dll), buku ketiga pun ada sedikit, tapi ada beberapa kejutan juga, seperti kisah masa lalu Marco yang menyimpan cerita lebih dalam dari yang pembaca tahu. Buku 1 dan 2 jelas2 erotic romance, tapi buku 3 ini agak halus dan lebih mengangkat makna cinta itu sendiri.
December 31, 2014
Not bad, definitely not bad, but dunno why I felt is lacking intensity. There were a few moments when I just couldn't wait to see what will happen, but ultimately the lack of real intensity it's quite obvious. I had to read the last pages twice to feel something. I so wanted to see some fireworks when they finally got together but instead I got a dull diary entry... Maybe what saved it for me was that Sarah really learned something from all of it: "...show me through their stories what I might make of my own life. Luciana with her daring. Augustine with her devotion. Kitty with her bravery. They've taught me about taking risks, remaining loyal to love and about finding and offering forgiveness. They've taught me that is possible for two people to make a bond that lasts for all time."
May 13, 2015
Ho iniziato a leggerlo convinta, visto il titolo della trilogia, di ritrovarmi immersa in un libro con il solito miliardario impelagato con la ragazza della porta accanto di turno, ed invece mi son scoperta a leggerlo tutto d'un fiato poiché ha fatto scaturire in me una feroce curiosità ed una febbrile ricerca del lieto fine.
E' un libro che seduce, una doppia trama intreccia con un filo sottile la protagonista Sarah Thomson e...
http://piecesofbooksblog.blogspot.it/...
E' un libro che seduce, una doppia trama intreccia con un filo sottile la protagonista Sarah Thomson e...
http://piecesofbooksblog.blogspot.it/...
October 14, 2013
Having read all 3 books from Stella Knightley, yet again she has failed to disappoint.
The content in The Girl Behind The Curtain was just as fascinating, eye catching, imaginative, heart rending, erotic.....I could go on, as the others. In this 3rd book however, we really get to know and understand Marco.....yes I had tears in my eyes & a lump in my throat.
The historical sub-story to the book was, I use the words, yet again brilliant. I felt I was part of the book all of the way through and was connected to all characters.
I would recommend this & the previous 2 books to anyone.....I was sad to see it end. :(
xxx
The content in The Girl Behind The Curtain was just as fascinating, eye catching, imaginative, heart rending, erotic.....I could go on, as the others. In this 3rd book however, we really get to know and understand Marco.....yes I had tears in my eyes & a lump in my throat.
The historical sub-story to the book was, I use the words, yet again brilliant. I felt I was part of the book all of the way through and was connected to all characters.
I would recommend this & the previous 2 books to anyone.....I was sad to see it end. :(
xxx
April 10, 2014
Beautiful... Just BEAUTIFUL!!!! After reading this story, the Hidden Women Trilogy has jumped to the top of my favourite list. The Girl Behind The Curtain was sad, happy, completely captivating and tear jerking!!! A five star PLUS read. It was like I was right there with both Sarah and Kitty, Stella Knightly you are amazing!!!!
August 15, 2014
I have been looking forward this book release and wasnt disapointed. Very happy ending gald to see Sarah and Marco got there in the end.
December 23, 2013
dark back storey which unravels in each book
April 3, 2014
Questa trilogia è stata una vera e propria scoperta piacevole. l'ultimo libro mi ha fatto piangere e gioire..mi manchera' leggere i diari delle donne del passato con Sarah...
July 7, 2014
Great Books series with epic love story
October 31, 2015
A wonderful end to a fabulous trilogy a refreshing change to the 50 shades format so loved all sides to these stories and i loved the HEA it was perfectly realistic.
December 2, 2015
Wonderful, but really don't why the publisher associated these 3 books with "fifty shades of grey" it has nothing to do with it !!
September 9, 2013
Couldn't put this down read it in five hours!!! Such a good story!!!
February 5, 2017
Mmm..cosa dire di questa serie?!?
Ho adorato Marco e la sua storia
Non mi ha molto entusiasmato il personaggio di Sarah
Mi sono piaciuti gli scorci sulle storie passate(buona idea)
Ho adorato Marco e la sua storia
Non mi ha molto entusiasmato il personaggio di Sarah
Mi sono piaciuti gli scorci sulle storie passate(buona idea)
November 5, 2017
Letto un po' alla volta ma non perché il libro fosse noioso, tutt'altro. Questo forse è capitolo migliore della Trilogia, intrigante, storicamente accurato e mai banale, nemmeno sul finale. La storia d'amore con Marco poteva facilmente scadere in un epilogo eccessivamente zuccheroso, ma l'autrice fortunatamente è rimasta coi piedi per terra, pur senza rinunciare al lieto fine.
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