Hide Away: A Golden Peaks Country Club Novel

by Joanna Kimber

Even after landing the job of my dreams and moving in with my long-term boyfriend, I still felt like something was missing. So one day I blew it all up and took a solo trip to one of my dream vacation destinations.

I was only planning to fall back in love with myself and my life. Then, River blew in like a breath of fresh air. I've never experienced such a strong and instant connection with anyone else. Still, dedicated to my healing journey I make him promise that when our trip ends, so do we. But after a week of passion, we just couldn't seem to say goodbye.

So we made another one year later, we'll meet at the same time at the same place.

It's easy to fall in love against the backdrop of a tropical paradise, but when we finally return to family, friendships, and careers pose devastating challenges. I worked hard to be comfortable in my skin again and River is the only one left with the power to unravel me.

A power I swore I would never give to anyone else, ever again.

Cleo finds herself ready to let go of it all before she realizes that sometimes, choosing yourself means choosing the one you love.

Genres: Romance

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2024

Reviews

[Breesayshey]

I just finished the E-Arc of HideAway and I don’t want to spoil it but loved this book even more than the first one. Getting to really flesh out Cleo and Rivers love story. It not just being a cute vacay fling and being a real beautiful relationship. I’m hoping there will be another book in the series!!!! 5 STARSSSS 🤩

[Brionna Nicole Williams]

I was really excited to read this this summer so I pushed it way up on my list and it was fine. The storyline was fine. The spice was written well and was relatable. There was a point where the FMC really pissed me off and then she did it again not so long after that it was really hard to forgive her 😂 I had more fun towards the end of the book which made up for the beginning and middle. It was a really cute relationship between River and Cleo and seeing them navigate it was interesting to a point until I got annoyed.

[Breana]

I absolutely loved this continuation of Cleo and River's story. This book was adorable, warm, and fuzzy. You definitely need to start with Pepper Lights first because the characters only grow from there. Hide Away has definitely been one of my top tier reads so far this year and I can't wait to see what happens next in Cleo and River's story!!

[Sherley's Reading Corner]

I read this series out of order. I enjoyed Dry Cry, which is book 2 in the Golden Peaks Country Club series, so much that I had to go back and read book one. And it was this book, Hide Away, that cemented it for me—Joanna Kimber is a very talented storyteller. Hide Away was an extremely powerful and moving story that draws on your emotions and pulls at your heartstrings. It is a story packed with emotion that is rich in culture and is the perfect blend of plot and character building.

I experience a rollercoaster of emotions while reading this book. The first half is kind of light-hearted. I say kind of because Cleo is going through some things. After years of dating her boyfriend, she feels stuck. Not only in her relationship, but in life. So, she decides to take a vacation to get away and work on herself. She goes on a journey of healing. It is in Jamaica that she meets River. A plan to just enjoy each other while in Jamaica turns to more. And the “more” is absolutely riveting.

I both laughed and cried while reading this story. Though the story touches on some heavy stuff, it does it in such a caring and respectful way. River and Cleo were meant for each other. The author took her time to establish the relationship between the characters making the chemistry between River and Cleo palpable. I just enjoyed this story so much that I did not want it to end. There was no point of stagnation, and the pacing was perfect.

If you are in a reading slump and you need a good book to get you back in the mood to read, this one is for you! 10/10 would definitely recommend.

[Showme’s Lit Corner 📖]

There were cute moments and I liked the couple together.

The FMC however annoyed me in the second half . Constantly making the same stupid decision over and over and over again.
Other small parts that annoyed 😂😂. They are not a huge deal but the biggest eye when I read them .


Her dad called a travel agent on Christmas Day to book a flight . Watch travel agencies open on Christmas Day??
Her best friend packed her two suitcases worth of clothes for her vacation. Is her best friend a stylist. How does she know her size fit . This was just odd to me . First of all what type of money does her best friend have that she was able to buy a whole vacation wardrobe for someone else . I love my girls and they love me but unless they are a millionaire, no one is doing that . Also unless she lives in her friends body how does she know the clothes would fit her . A size12 is not a size 12 fit every different store . She told her not to open the suitcase till she got there . It could have all not fit . I hate when stupid things are added like that in a book making it so unrealistic. She could’ve simply just taken her friend shopping and even then offered to pay that would’ve been more realistic.

[Kayla Dailey]

I was absolutely surprised by this book. It started out super far fetched, and delusional lol but sweet warm and fuzzy. But it quickly grabbed my attention and had some good drama, and turns! I was yelling at my kindle at Cleo! She figured it out eventually, but damn she was irritating me lol. Character growth was there.
River was obviously perfect and I’m obsessed with him.
Tierra can catch these hands.
Mateo can f right off.

But really, Joanna did a wonderful job with the story telling. The perfect amount of spice, and yearning. 😭 this man waited for our girl!

I ate this book up in a day!

[HeyitsNae]

Cleo please be fr

Okay this was a good read definitely hit home on some of the pages especially when self self sabotage poked its head out. But I would say Cleo got on my nervesssssssss I had to pause and scream out “GIRL!” But HEA , little messy but thank god thissss is a true friend group that actually likes each other and calls each other out! I’m glad we get too read about her friend in the next series because I was so invested and intrigued on what their story is about. All in all 3/5. Could be better I just didn’t like the constant self sabotage and insecurity. Good read tho.

[Treasure]

ARC REVIEW

--Make sure you read Pepper Lights first , as this is the follow on story .

A year of self discovery Cleo and being alone, she realised that she is still in love with River and will be going back to Jamaica to claim what's hers. River was ready and waiting for Cleo at the arranged spot in Jamaica and they had a lovely time on vacation together but how will their love story play out in the real world aka Houston. Expect drama, tears, betrayal and unexpected plot twists. I was engaged from start to finish

[Shy]

First thing first, I definitely suggest reading Pepper Lights first, as it gives you some context on how the two meet. I absolutely adored this book! Cleo and River are the 6 relationship goals. River absolutely worships her (as he should!), and she's just so in love with him. It was nice to see that even after talking an entire year to work on herself, Cleo still had things she had to work through, self improvement truly never ends! If you're looking for a cute romance, definitely give this one a go!

[Tasia Collins]

I’m speechless. Like, truly. This was incredible! From beginning to end, I was so enveloped in this story and obsessed with the characters. I could not put this book down!

This book gave me all the feels and in so many ways than I thought, felt really personal to me. I loved every second of Cleo and River’s journey.

This was romantic, endearing, spicy, heartfelt, and just so damn beautiful. I just can’t believe it’s over, I cannot get enough of this book!!!

Best believe I’m starting book 2 like, RIGHT NOW. Ms. Joanna Kimber, what a wonderful intro to your work ma’am. Well done!

[Amara]

if you need a new book boyfriend River is him!! there were so many other quotes i could have selected but this one definitely sums him up perfectly. this man fell first, fast AND hard. if my man don’t love me as much as River was loving Cleo, i don’t want him!

pros: River.

cons: the plot is a little show to start but once we get to Jamaica it’s full speed ahead. i also struggled with relating to the FMC at times, but she honestly had the best character growth throughout the entire novel.

[Latasha Yvette]

You know it’s good when you yell at characters

So I read the books out of order I discovered this series from a TikTok post on good reads. Glad that I immediately ran to kindle to download.

Cleo pissed me off to no end with her decisions. I constantly found myself yelling at her for her decisions, but that’s how I know that character development was top tier lol. I can’t wait to see what happens with Mena and Kim’s stories when they come.

[Malena]

I really enjoyed this book! A romance with different tropes in it, from miscommunication to some kind of second chance love, friendship, and it even discusses different topics that everyone goes through in life: confusion, self confidence, standing up for yourself, and more. I loved the characters and their plots!!

[Rachel Hornbuckle]

Any book that visits Jamaica will always be a favourite of mine.
Cleo and River met by chance at a hotel on the west coast of the island. This is their story and the trials and tribulations from their first meeting until they finally work everything out.
Thank you for some sunshine through your book Joanna. Now I want to go back to Jamaica even more than before.

[April]

😫 I was so stressed, I thought for sure River was done with Cleo. As frustrated as I was with her I under why she didn’t want to give up what she thought was her independence. Low key, when rice said he was so upset with Cleo he wasn’t sure if it was safe for her to be around him?????? What the heck does mean cause it was giving very much 🚩🚩🚩🚩

[Jada Sowell]

This was definitely a cozy read. I loved the character development our main characters but I do wish there was more “push back” or more from Cleo in standing up for herself against the villains of this story. She did frustrate at time because her self-sabotage was frustrating to watch unfold. I’m glad River stuck by her though!

[Azriana]

I went into this book expecting something completely different… I didn’t want to DNF, so I pushed through. The story started off interesting enough, but once they left Jamaica with the promise to return a year later, I found myself bored with the story… which is probably why it took me so long to finish.
Not a bad read but not a favorite.

[Tanisha (Nishagotbooks)]

Beach read

In Book 1, we see Cleo & River meet and experience a beautiful vacation together.
In Book 2, we see whether those vacation vibes translate to the real world.
This was a fun read. It's great on a car ride or at the beach.

[Tabitha Elder]

Summer Feel Good

Loved this story. Read Dry Cry first and then Hide Away. Love the friendship dynamic and look forward to reading all the other books in this series!! Love to see women being loved unconditionally

[Jyleiah h]

very good read!

Love how this black author doesn’t write about trauma that’s deeply triggering. The black woman wins in this story and it’s written well!
Read this book in 2 days

[Chevy]

RTC

[Jordan]

why was literally every character absolutely insufferable

[io greymoon]

I am very excited about this new little series! Cleo and River. Yummy slow burn. Palate cleanser from my dark romance.

[Megan Williams]

She thought she had her life together. But…so she went on vacation by herself to find that last piece and then she met River. Is he her destiny or a vacation fling? A lot of fun!

[Raven Universe]

so cute!!

I was reading this and I kept saying out loud, “OMG this is is so cute!” Very easy to read and I loved reading about how much River cared for Cleo. Gives me hope!

[MJ]

It was cute but beginning was a little too flowery and too good true. Cleo was getting in my damn nerves for like 3/4 of the book.

[P]

2.5

[Jyleiah hopkins]

great read

Black girl finds love! So refreshing loved it will read more of her books! Amazing find and a great read

[Jess]

I went backwards with this series and I am really enjoying them. This was very cute and I adore Cleo and River. This books deals with insecurity, trust and learning to love and it is heartwarming. I am looking forward to rest of the series.

[✨ Brianna Raquel ✨]

Black Romance Book Fest 2025 Reading Challenge 42/129