Hidden

by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Drama, heartbreak, redemption – condensed into an unputdownable novella from the master storyteller.

On the surface, Claire Saunders has it all. She has a rewarding career in fashion and a talented concert pianist daughter. Her loving husband is one of the country’s most trusted diplomats.

She thinks she’s hidden her secret from her best friends, but they know her too well.

Can her friends get her out of harm’s way and protect her from a man who is as ruthless as he is charming and powerful? And along the way, can Claire learn to stop protecting the wrong people?

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Barbara Taylor Bradford was a British-American novelist whose dramatic family sagas and stories of ambitious women made her one of the most commercially successful authors of modern popular fiction. Raised in Leeds, she developed an early love of reading and decided as a child that she would become a writer. After leaving school at sixteen, she began her career in journalism, first working in the typing pool of the Yorkshire Evening Post before becoming a reporter. In her early twenties she moved to London, where she built a successful career as a fashion editor for Woman's Own magazine and later wrote widely syndicated newspaper columns. Although she experimented with suspense fiction, her breakthrough came with the novel A Woman of Substance in 1979, a sweeping story of a determined young woman rising from poverty to great success. The novel became an international bestseller and launched a long series of novels featuring strong female protagonists who achieve success through perseverance, ambition, and business skill. Over the following decades she wrote forty novels translated into dozens of languages and sold in tens of millions of copies worldwide. Several of her books were adapted for television miniseries and films, further expanding her readership. Her work earned numerous honors, including appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of her contribution to literature.

Reviews

[Erica⭐ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Claire, who is married to Mark, a politician in the U.S.A. Claire has a daughter, Deborah, who is studying music in London. Mark has always treated Deborah as his daughter since she was born after he married Claire, and he knew that Claire was pregnant by another man. Mark is fine with this until he discovers the identity of Deborah's birth father. Then there is Trouble.
Like so many battered wives, Claire being the victim, and hides the evidence from her friends. However, one of them is very astute, and soon hatches a plan to put an end to Claire's suffering.

[Dana Burda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romanul Barbarei Taylor Bradford a aparut in limba romana la editura Litera sub titlul " Puterea dragostei", in colectia Carti romantice in anul 2013. Este o poveste frumoasa despre prietenie si despre suferintele pe care le poate indura cineva doar pentru ca iubeste.
Personajul principal al romanului este Claire Saunders o femeie frumoasa, inteligenta si cu mult simt artistic care la varsta de putin peste patruzeci de ani parea sa aiba tot ce-si putea dori cineva: un sot care arata spectaculos de bine si cu o functie superimportanta chiar in preajma presedintelui tarii, o fiica care deja face 21 de ani si isi desavarseste studiile de muzica la Londra fiind extrem de talentata,un apartament elegant si bine situat, un loc de munca satisfacator din toate punctele de vedere si in plus o prietenie solida, de o viata, cu Sasha, Paulina si Julia. Se intalneau in fiecare dimineata in drum spre servici si aveau sambata lor pe care o petreceau mereu doar ele intre ele. Era modul lor de a se ajuta sa se echilibreze dupa munca si dupa obligatiile casnice. Aparent totul era perfect doar ca dincolo de aceasta aparenta viata lui Claire este un adevarat haos emotional. Dupa plecarea lui Deborah la Londra relatia ei cu Mark a inceput sa se deterioreze si continua sa se deterioreze abrupt. Din barbatul sensibil si iubitor care fusese cu ani in urma cand se casatorisera si o adoptase pe Deborah, Mark se transforma sub ochii ingroziti ai sotiei sale intr-un barbat violent, abuziv, lipsit de orice urma de intelegere, prefacut si mincinos. Prietenele ei asista cu stupoare la urmele teribile lasate de bataile pe care Claire le primeste aproape de fiecare data cand Mark revine acasa din misiunile oficiale improtante.Sasha, Julia si Pauline nu sunt de loc convinse ca prietena lor Claire va putea singura sa faca ceva pentru a pune capat acestui cosmar care era acum viata alaturi de Mark. Si vor lua initiativa sa o salveze de ea insasi si de sotul abuziv. Cartea este foarte frumos scrisa, atinge probleme mereu actuale din pacate si demonstreaza inca odata miracolul care il reprezinta prietenia in viata cuiva.

[Lisa Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story of how Claire's husband goes from being loving to being physically and emotionally abusive. Claire pretends that all is well until her three friends kidnap/rescue her and help her see/admit to the truth of her life being in danger. Claire comes to her senses and starts life new and a fresh.

Barbara Taylor Bradford did an excellent job writing and developing this story.

*I read this for free as part of Amazon's Kindle Single borrowing programming.

[Laura Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could feel the rage

I could feel the rage

Having come from an abusive marriage, the characters emotions were incredibly well written. First I have read by this author, but not the last.

[Barbalata Mirela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este o poveste frumoasa si trista in acelasi timp, despre abuzul fizic si psihic al femeii, despre neputinta, durere dar si curaj.
Lectura a fost relaxanta dar plina de substrat. O lectie de viata, despre prietenie si iubire neconditionata.

[Vivien Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and thoughtful book. Very pleasant to read. Very cleverly thought out.

[stephanie bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love anything Barbara Taylor Bradford. I gave it a four star because I wanted an ending like in August Rush when August's mother and father see each other at the concert and knew that August was their child of love. The four is for my need not because the novelette was not a five. (smiles) I wanted a scene where Claire is sitting in her seat and Walker Connelly takes his seat and their eyes meet in recognition (of course, she knew who was going to be seated beside her).... as the eyes meet in August Rush. Then they go back stage and meet their daughter (which I wished would have happen at the end of August Rush)

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit that I consider Barbara Taylor Bradford kind of a "guilty pleasure ". Her books always represent strong, tough, successful, rich, beautiful, perfect women. The books also are a bit syrupy, but I like them anyway.
That being said, this one was different; the characters' success and perfection were not dripping off the page. A nice change of pace.

[Jannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A secret with a hidden meaning. The story is about what is hidden by so many women (and some men) about domestic abuse cycle. From start to finish a good read albeit short took me about 2.5 hours to finish this book but well worth the read.

[June Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite author

Good. Friends who stick with you to the end are hard to find. These women had the right idea to help their
friend. Abuse is an ugly thing. Freedom is everything.
Good book for anyone going through this. It will give you the courage you need.

[Ellen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Den här boken var lika dålig skriven som om det vore jag som skrev en bok. Historian är tunn, språket är dåligt, allt är förutsägbart och det finns exakt inget intressant. Enda anledning att jag avslutade var att den var så kort att jag inte hann hitta en ny bok innan den var slut.

[Christine Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read

[Sigmund Morawski · Rating 5 out of 5]

There he was in plain sight.

Clever story. Teaches a #me too lesson. Convent. Friends. Music. London. All of these elements were oh so delicious! Quick read!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite aspect of this book was Claire's dynamic with her best friends-and I love that they met on the train! What a dream!

[Issa · Rating 5 out of 5]

For such a short book this really packed a punch. I connected with all the characters and really enjoyed the story and liked the ending.

[Mrs Karen PE Capon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Far too short

Far Too short would have liked a slightly longer ending to-finish off properly other than that rather engaging story line.

[Robert Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!

This book grabs your interest and holds it to the end. I highly recommend it as a good read. It will not disappoint.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the book had touching moments of friendship, courage and wisdom, most of the characters fell a little flat and the plot felt rushed.

[Mrs Patricia Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden

First time reading this type of material,
I found it to be a good read and will
look forward to reading the follow up.

[Margaret Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frustrated!

I was so into it I was devastated when it came to the end! Is there going to be a follow on book I wonder?

[s marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good shout read I actually stopped and made you think about ladies who are in a domestic violent relationship

[Sandy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good sometimes win

it trapped you from the start. It showed the power of women and friends. It actually allow the good guys to win but showed how secrets hurt

[Katemurphy1999hotmail.com · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hidden

Too short a read to me. More should have been told about Mr Walker Connelys days. Good luck to the Author

[Jeri]

She did a great job on a tough subject.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

BTB never disappoints

Trigger book for me, abused by first husband. Loved this story though. I always enjoy Barbara Taylor Bradford books. Was a quick read.

[vivienne slade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re- reading my books bought over the years.

I did not remember the final chapter or ending. A bit too soft for me ,no excuse should be allowed for husband and he should have been prosecuted. I am strong from great family, three sisters one brother, three daughters and one son, three granddaughters and one grandson now blessed with two magical great granddaughters . My father was a gentle giant as his own father was , brother Hal and my son also the same. I am so lucky but would never tolerate a bully in my life and feel blessed that my wonderful mother who had a monster father was rescued by Dad. Therefore final ending not strong enough & fizzled out.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This review may contain spoilers*

A slightly different type of review from what you’re used to this time. Today I’ll be reviewing three books in one blog post! Why? These three books, as shown above, are ‘Quick Reads,’ – short books written by big name authors designed to be easy to read. The aim is to encourage more people into reading by giving them accessible books. The three books above come in at under 150 pages each and can be read in one sitting by people familiar with reading. Due to their brevity, I felt it better to review all three in one post rather than dedicate one post to each. There’s only so much you can say about such short reads!

“Blackout” by Emily Barr focuses on a woman who wakes up in Paris with no memory of how she got there, no money or passport and no baby. Dark, riveting and suspenseful, for such a short read Emily Barr packs a lot in. Flashbacks into Sophie’s life before, with her husband and child, provide much-needed insight into her character. Sometimes hard to read, this story shows readers the strength of a mother’s love and even has a, somewhat, happy ending.

“Hidden” by Barbara Taylor Bradford is the longest book of the three I’ve read. Concerning a woman being abused by her husband and the plan her friends come up with to help her escape this book is thrilling; an ‘edge of your seat’ read. The story moves very quickly, to be expected from such a compact read, and keeps a fast pace throughout. The ending, however, felt anti-climatic and predictable, which let this book down, in my opinion.

“Four Warned” by Jeffrey Archer is a collection of four short stories in one short book. The first tells the story of a woman chased down on the motorway by a man in a black van; chilling and horrifying to read with a really shocking twist at the end that made me gasp out loud. The second focuses on a couple approaching their one hundreth birthdays. When the husband’s telegram arrives from the queen and his wife’s doesn’t he sets about to find out why; slightly boring to read until the ending, which is chuckle-worthy; very amusing. The third is about a jewelery robbery and is intriguing, clever and fast-paced throughout; another ending that’s chuckle-worthy as you marvel at the couple’s audacity and the sheer genius of the plan. The fourth, and final, one involves a murder in Russia. Again, this story was slightly humorous as the ending really did show that what goes around, comes around.

“Blackout” warranted a 4 out of 5 star rating. “Hidden” garnered a 4 out of 5 star rating, bordering on 5 but for the ending. “Four Warned” gained a 3 star out of 5 rating for the slow-pace and lack of drama/action that many of the short stories possessed. Overall, though, these were all enjoyable reads that I’m glad I picked up. Especially as each book only costs a pound, even less on Kindle I believe.

Please visit the ‘Quick Reads’ website to find out more about the scheme and where to purchase these, and other, books yourself; http://www.quickreads.org.uk/

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read every word of every book in the Emma Harte series. Barbara Taylor Bradford is so good with female heroes...bigger than life...meeting and surmounting major problems...remaining likable and feminine. Hidden is the story of Clare Saunders, smart, savvy, beautiful, and successful in the fashion field. As a young woman, she met her soul mate and became pregnant with his child before he "disappeared" from her life. She meets and marries her husband Mark. Mark agrees to claim the daughter as his and raise her as his if Claire agrees not to tell anyone who the real dad is.

This book happens when her daughter is grown, living in London, and attending the Royal Academy of Music. Mark thinks Claire is in touch with her former lover; his insecurities lead to physical abuse; their marriage deteriorates as both personalities change. Should the daughter be told who her real dad is? Are a woman's friends threatening to a healthy marriage? Will Claire be divorced from Mark? Will Claire ever meet and contact her soul mate from years before and rekindle what they shared?

I think Barbara Taylor Bradford needs to make this book the first of another series, please.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally really enjoy short stories, and I did enjoy this, however I felt that the story line was a little deep to be covered and it didn't do it as much justice as it could have.

The story centers around domestic violence, Clare is married to Mark - her soul mate and has been for many years. Mark has a high profile job and is regularly away on business. When he is at home he has begun to abuse Clare, she had changed from a confident woman, into a timid one who tries to cover for him.

Clare has been best friends with 3 other girls for many years. They know things have change, and they have seen the bruises. One day they take it upon themselves to control the situation- Clare is too weak too.

In general the idea of the story I thought was good, it is far fetched in places but this could have been down to lack of background/build up which would have been evident in a longer novel.

I did enjoy the story, but I feel it would have benefited from being longer. It was well written, but not enough background was given for me to connect to the characters. This is a good short story that will help pass the time.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I READ THE WRONG BOOK!!! I was looking for Hidden by Catherine McKenzie - instead I got 'Hidden' by Barbara Taylor Bradford. Well. Of course I read and read and by about 85% through I was thinking "this is not at all like the book description - when are they going to get to that part??" And of course they never did and then I discovered my error.

Let me say this was an entertaining book. I did like it, but it is most assuredly Chick Lit. I most oftentimes do not care for that kind of light plot. So I only gave it a 3. Many many of you will give it a higher grade. This just is not my cup of tea errrr, coffee.

Now, next on my list is the 'Hidden' for which I was looking: by Catherine McKenzie!