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No Place To Hide
Why has Justine Cantrell suddenly changed her name, abandoned the husband and family she loves and a successful business to start a new life in a place many thousands of miles away? There isn't a man involved, but there is a terrible secret that she must hide from her new friends and neighbours as securely as she needs to hide herself from those she's left behind. What is Justine's secret?
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First published July 28, 2015
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About the author
Susan Lewis
67 books1,189 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.
There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime. She is also the author of Just One More Day and One Day at a Time, the moving memoirs of her childhood in Bristol during the 1960s. Following periods of living in Los Angeles and the South of France, she currently lives in Gloucestershire with her husband James, stepsons Michael and Luke, and mischievous dogs Coco and Lulu.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
August 18, 2015
Let me start by saying, I hang on every single book this author writes. I just love her work, even before I got a Kindle I was a regular reader of hers.
Now I actually years later get to understand what the importance is of leaving a review.
She just cannot write fast enough for me.
Her last book was so good, I haven't forgotten it at all, even though I have read many more books in between. I am sure this author excels herself every time; just when I think she is going to run out of stories she comes up with another brilliant plot.
Justine is the Mom of a teenage girl. Like all teens they can be up and down in their moods, but her daughter has set her heart of becoming "famous" and apparently has the talent for it.
I loved the daughter and Mom relationship between them. I thought Justine handled her daughter so well.
Justine also has a son. Ben.
Ben isn't your typical son though and is very hard work to the point of being odd which can most times be put down to being a teenager .
At the start of the book we are taken back and forth. This is vital to the story, so please keep with it as its paramount to what its leading up to.
You read what is going to happen and what has happened.
Justine has a friend Cheryl. Cheryl has problems of her own, but the two women are very close.
I loved the dialogue between them.
Going back to Ben. He is an oddball, he doesn't get along with his sister at all, and I am not sure at first who wound who up, but it was obvious towards the end.
Some of the things they said and called each other, I do feel Justine or her husband Matt should have been much stricter about and stood no nonsense.
Matt and Justine have a solid relationship. They have experienced two miscarriages.
Justine finds herself pregnant again.
Not sure how the two oldest children will take the news she is quite apprehensive as you can imagine.
Meanwhile Ben is acting odd. He's up in the tree casting stones at cows. Doesn't talk to his parents if he can help it.
There is a part of the book which takes us forward to when Justine has had the baby and gone to a part of her past where her Grandmother used to live. No longer living with Matt.
The two sections are confusing at the start, but once you get your head around it, I tell you truthfully you will be hooked from chapter to chapter like I was.
There is so much more to this book and this story than I can ever let on to you.
If you asked me if you should read it. I would definitely say YES.
** My thanks go to.Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine via Net Galley for my copy **
August 21, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this read which kept me glued to the pages trying to work out what could possibly be the reason why Justine had felt forced to take her three year old daughter Lula from The Cotswolds to Indiana, leaving behind her much loved husband and older children and family, network of friends and successful business. What circumstances could be so bad that someone could possibly need to change her name and start afresh in a new country where the past cannot reach out and take her by surprise? What could possibly force a married couple with a young child who clearly love each other to stay on separate continents with a “no contact” agreement? And what about their older children – what is their part in all of this?
It is quite a long read told partly in the present in Indiana as Justine and Lula settle into their new lives. We also follow Justine and Matt’s lives in a series of flashbacks starting 18 years ago when they first found their dream home in The Cotswolds. I really loved the parts of the story set in the UK. The author takes her time introducing characters and moving the story through the years of their marriage. You get a powerful feeling of community, family spirit and friendship from these sections and I really liked all the people I met, which made the eventual tragedy that takes place, from which Justine flees, even more traumatic and shocking. It was certainly well worth the wait to find out what had taken place.
Until the events are revealed it is quite an easy read, a story of family that you can really get immersed in with characters who are believable and mostly likeable. However, when we find out the whole extent of Justine’s history the book seems to take on a whole new feel, as it becomes extremely dark and emotional. It turns into the story of a family trying to cope with a tragic event in their lives and is thought provoking and emotional. It is a story about guilt and forgiveness and would make a fantastic book club read as everyone who reads it is sure to have an opinion on what happened and Justine’s reaction to it.
There is also a back story regarding Justine’s grandmother which I am not altogether 100% convinced is necessary although I do get what the author was hoping to achieve by including it. There was one strand of the story which I felt was still left unresolved at the end, but on the whole this is a book that is well worth reading.
Warning: There is quite a lot of bad language in parts of this book, which I know some people may not like.
Many thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the review copy.
It is quite a long read told partly in the present in Indiana as Justine and Lula settle into their new lives. We also follow Justine and Matt’s lives in a series of flashbacks starting 18 years ago when they first found their dream home in The Cotswolds. I really loved the parts of the story set in the UK. The author takes her time introducing characters and moving the story through the years of their marriage. You get a powerful feeling of community, family spirit and friendship from these sections and I really liked all the people I met, which made the eventual tragedy that takes place, from which Justine flees, even more traumatic and shocking. It was certainly well worth the wait to find out what had taken place.
Until the events are revealed it is quite an easy read, a story of family that you can really get immersed in with characters who are believable and mostly likeable. However, when we find out the whole extent of Justine’s history the book seems to take on a whole new feel, as it becomes extremely dark and emotional. It turns into the story of a family trying to cope with a tragic event in their lives and is thought provoking and emotional. It is a story about guilt and forgiveness and would make a fantastic book club read as everyone who reads it is sure to have an opinion on what happened and Justine’s reaction to it.
There is also a back story regarding Justine’s grandmother which I am not altogether 100% convinced is necessary although I do get what the author was hoping to achieve by including it. There was one strand of the story which I felt was still left unresolved at the end, but on the whole this is a book that is well worth reading.
Warning: There is quite a lot of bad language in parts of this book, which I know some people may not like.
Many thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the review copy.
August 12, 2015
Susan Lewis. How is it i have never read anything by this hugely talented author? After reading No Place to Hide there is zero doubt that I will not miss one of her books in the future. Her writing reminds me a lot of Lianne Moriarty (The Husband's Secret, Big Little Lies) because of the way she builds the story. The characters are immediately relatable and I am able to "hear" them and "see" them so clearly you barely notice you are reading. You know what I mean right? Some authors have the ability to make you feel like you have left the couch and are observing the story from within it. No Place to Hide alternates each chapter between Justine, Matt, and their children Abby and Ben's lives in England and then to the present with just Justine and their little girl Lulu. Who now lives in Indiana. You KNOW something horrible happened because Justine is alone with her young daughter and she is obviously hiding from something or someone. This is where Lewis' writing shines. I was so intrigued and caught up in their story that it made it impossible to put the book down. I was dying to know WHAT HAPPENED? I also appreciate that she didn't wait until 85% through to tell us. Once the tragedy was revealed I was properly horrified. I literally stayed up all night thinking about it. Even after the final page was turned No Place to Hide weighed heavily in my thoughts.
A timely story and quite literally a nightmare that could happen to anyone. Makes you think twice about judging others and their parenting skills. I am not sure how this book could have been any better. The talent of Susan Lewis ensures her a place among the giants in Women’s Fiction and Literature. It would be a shame to label this only Women’s Fiction though. I know several men who would like this book. I am thrilled to start a new Susan Lewis book ......
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the advanced copy in exchange for this review.
A timely story and quite literally a nightmare that could happen to anyone. Makes you think twice about judging others and their parenting skills. I am not sure how this book could have been any better. The talent of Susan Lewis ensures her a place among the giants in Women’s Fiction and Literature. It would be a shame to label this only Women’s Fiction though. I know several men who would like this book. I am thrilled to start a new Susan Lewis book ......
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the advanced copy in exchange for this review.
August 6, 2016
No Place to Hide is a heart-wrenching read
What causes Justine to flee England taking with her a three year old daughter and a secret that continues to haunt her no matter where she goes?
Why is she no longer with Matt?
Where are their two older children?
Why is Justine getting menacing e-mails? And from whom?
What is the secret to her Grandmother's past, the reason no-one will talk about her?
I enjoyed this roller-coaster of a read that, in the beginning, see-saws between the present and fourteen years earlier until the two times frame collide and all is revealed. But that is not the end....
This is a thought-provoking read. It gave me a new perspective on a tragedy that is becoming all too common in our time. A very worthwhile, and despite the subject matter, enjoyable read. My heart broke for Lula, Matt and Justine's young child, for Matt and Justine themselves, and for all those who were touched by their tragedy.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for providing a digital ARC of No Place to Hide in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
What causes Justine to flee England taking with her a three year old daughter and a secret that continues to haunt her no matter where she goes?
Why is she no longer with Matt?
Where are their two older children?
Why is Justine getting menacing e-mails? And from whom?
What is the secret to her Grandmother's past, the reason no-one will talk about her?
I enjoyed this roller-coaster of a read that, in the beginning, see-saws between the present and fourteen years earlier until the two times frame collide and all is revealed. But that is not the end....
This is a thought-provoking read. It gave me a new perspective on a tragedy that is becoming all too common in our time. A very worthwhile, and despite the subject matter, enjoyable read. My heart broke for Lula, Matt and Justine's young child, for Matt and Justine themselves, and for all those who were touched by their tragedy.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for providing a digital ARC of No Place to Hide in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
November 16, 2015
My thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
I just recently learned in a seminar that to offer negative comments, the "hamburger method" may be used. It's where you sandwich the negative comments in-between two more positive comments to make the negative more palatable to the hearer. I'm going to try that here. Disclaimer, I could only read up to the first big reveal at 60% before I DNF'd this book. I just couldn't with the MCs anymore.
Positive comment: The setting takes place in the current day. You can tell that it does. The setting, while not blowing your socks off, comes across to the reader as what the author seems to intend to mean.
Negative: 1) Political beliefs that don't do much to flesh out the characters beyond the first mention of them and that don't really seem to be important to the plot are shoved down the throats of the reader repeatedly. I don't enjoy being preached to, so this left a bad taste in my mouth.
2) Of these beliefs that are shoved into the face of the reader over and over again is the idea that all those who have or want guns are "nut jobs". The one person in the book who has a gun is shown being paranoid and shooting without thought or concern as to where the rounds being fired land. Not. Cool.
3) The parents aren't shown as being effective at discipline or able to raise children, other than to wring their hands and look sky-ward asking "What do we do?" Parenting takes more than providing the necessities for a child growing up, hoping it works and ignoring when a child has some SEVERE problems that will cause the child to be a danger to themselves and others.
4) Slight spoiler in this.
I don't care HOW much I loved a child of mine, the MINUTE they threatened to KILL their younger sibling if they didn't get a car, that would be IT. The son in question was a bad egg. The author only shows the story of the son in flashbacks, so we don't see how he is being disciplined and we don't see all of the warning signs that were present before it got to threatening the younger sibling. If they had been more alert to the warning signs and ACTED on them, then it might not have gotten that far.
I know, I'm not a parent, who am I to judge, but at some point, you have to see reality for what it is. When one child keeps getting more and more violent, threatens his siblings and parents, doesn't bathe, stays out to all hours, runs with a bad crowd, etc., you can't say you love your son if you don't try to help him. Wringing your hands and hoping it's "just a phase" isn't going to help anybody, least of all the son.
5) And WHAT the HECK was that final decision???? Spoilers will be all throughout this.
Son kills older sister, a cousin and three other young people in a way that I find to be highly unbelievable. He uses a compound bow while sitting in a tree in the park. FIVE people, one arrow at a time, when he hasn't practiced in a loooong time, ALL five killing shots. So you're telling me that when people started to fall down with arrows sticking out of them, that NO ONE scattered, dropped to the ground or hid behind a tree or other cover? All five just stood there like sheep going to slaughter? I call shenanigans. Yes, in the hands of someone who has been practicing like crazy, I would think that maybe two to three would be dead, but at least one or two would make it out with just injuries or safe. A bow is not a gun. It takes more time to reload and shoot a bow than a gun. Not buying it.
Ok, back to the final decision. Since he's their son and he said he did it because they never paid attention to him as a kid, always focusing on the other two, (poor, abused baby) the father STAYS in an apartment by the jail and VISITS his son, while the mother flees to America (they are in England) with the youngest daughter, to keep her from the press and to live a "normal" life.
Say WHUT?? The son has shown NO remorse for what he did. is perversely glad that he snuffed out five lives and by staying the rest of the family is miserable being split up. Why the HECK should the person who did such an evil thing get what he WANTS by making the surviving family members unhappy?
6) There is drama from the grandmother that the MC doesn't know and that the mother won't tell the MC. Really? I just can't STAND the "plot" device of a big bad secret being known by one of the characters who refuses to share it with the MC, causing the MC to make poor decisions because they don't have all of the information with which to make a better decision. Though considering the other decisions the MC has made, I highly doubt she would know a good idea if it bit her in the rear end, so knowing the big bad secret might not have helped her after all.
7) Secondary character to the MC once the MC tells her the story of her psychopathic son and his murderous deed, "This is just like that book 'We Need to Talk About Kevin'."
I haven't read that book, but it is VERY dangerous for an author to have a character mention a book that is similar to the one the character is in, because if that book is BETTER than the one the reader is reading, it may fall by obvious comparison. It also seems a bit full of one's self. "Yes, my book is as good as the other one, maybe even better!". Just not a good idea. Not to mention, I knew nothing about the other book, so it could have been a spoiler for me and other readers.
8) The parents of the killer kid didn't communicate in ANY way to indicate their sorrow that their son killed the kids in four other families. Since apologizing and grieving with the other family members wouldn't bring the kids back, they decided not to do it.
Ummm....how is not expressing your sorrow over the evil that befell the other families a good thing? Send a card or even an email for crying out loud! The other family may hate your entire family's guts after what happened, but they can choose to open the card or email or to toss it out. By not even trying to connect with the families who are related to you and you have been best of friends with after their loss, you come across as uncaring to their agony.
It is incredibly selfish to not contact them, saying to yourself that it's for the best, that they probably hate you anyway and you don't want to cause a scene. Epic fail.
I think that covers the negative "meat" portion of the hamburger.
Second positive: If you enjoy family drama and British vernacular being used by the MC and her family, if you don't mind political grandstanding in your books, then this might be the one for you.
It completely did not work for me and I wouldn't recommend it. One star.
I just recently learned in a seminar that to offer negative comments, the "hamburger method" may be used. It's where you sandwich the negative comments in-between two more positive comments to make the negative more palatable to the hearer. I'm going to try that here. Disclaimer, I could only read up to the first big reveal at 60% before I DNF'd this book. I just couldn't with the MCs anymore.
Positive comment: The setting takes place in the current day. You can tell that it does. The setting, while not blowing your socks off, comes across to the reader as what the author seems to intend to mean.
Negative: 1) Political beliefs that don't do much to flesh out the characters beyond the first mention of them and that don't really seem to be important to the plot are shoved down the throats of the reader repeatedly. I don't enjoy being preached to, so this left a bad taste in my mouth.
2) Of these beliefs that are shoved into the face of the reader over and over again is the idea that all those who have or want guns are "nut jobs". The one person in the book who has a gun is shown being paranoid and shooting without thought or concern as to where the rounds being fired land. Not. Cool.
3) The parents aren't shown as being effective at discipline or able to raise children, other than to wring their hands and look sky-ward asking "What do we do?" Parenting takes more than providing the necessities for a child growing up, hoping it works and ignoring when a child has some SEVERE problems that will cause the child to be a danger to themselves and others.
4) Slight spoiler in this.
I don't care HOW much I loved a child of mine, the MINUTE they threatened to KILL their younger sibling if they didn't get a car, that would be IT. The son in question was a bad egg. The author only shows the story of the son in flashbacks, so we don't see how he is being disciplined and we don't see all of the warning signs that were present before it got to threatening the younger sibling. If they had been more alert to the warning signs and ACTED on them, then it might not have gotten that far.
I know, I'm not a parent, who am I to judge, but at some point, you have to see reality for what it is. When one child keeps getting more and more violent, threatens his siblings and parents, doesn't bathe, stays out to all hours, runs with a bad crowd, etc., you can't say you love your son if you don't try to help him. Wringing your hands and hoping it's "just a phase" isn't going to help anybody, least of all the son.
5) And WHAT the HECK was that final decision???? Spoilers will be all throughout this.
Son kills older sister, a cousin and three other young people in a way that I find to be highly unbelievable. He uses a compound bow while sitting in a tree in the park. FIVE people, one arrow at a time, when he hasn't practiced in a loooong time, ALL five killing shots. So you're telling me that when people started to fall down with arrows sticking out of them, that NO ONE scattered, dropped to the ground or hid behind a tree or other cover? All five just stood there like sheep going to slaughter? I call shenanigans. Yes, in the hands of someone who has been practicing like crazy, I would think that maybe two to three would be dead, but at least one or two would make it out with just injuries or safe. A bow is not a gun. It takes more time to reload and shoot a bow than a gun. Not buying it.
Ok, back to the final decision. Since he's their son and he said he did it because they never paid attention to him as a kid, always focusing on the other two, (poor, abused baby) the father STAYS in an apartment by the jail and VISITS his son, while the mother flees to America (they are in England) with the youngest daughter, to keep her from the press and to live a "normal" life.
Say WHUT?? The son has shown NO remorse for what he did. is perversely glad that he snuffed out five lives and by staying the rest of the family is miserable being split up. Why the HECK should the person who did such an evil thing get what he WANTS by making the surviving family members unhappy?
6) There is drama from the grandmother that the MC doesn't know and that the mother won't tell the MC. Really? I just can't STAND the "plot" device of a big bad secret being known by one of the characters who refuses to share it with the MC, causing the MC to make poor decisions because they don't have all of the information with which to make a better decision. Though considering the other decisions the MC has made, I highly doubt she would know a good idea if it bit her in the rear end, so knowing the big bad secret might not have helped her after all.
7) Secondary character to the MC once the MC tells her the story of her psychopathic son and his murderous deed, "This is just like that book 'We Need to Talk About Kevin'."
I haven't read that book, but it is VERY dangerous for an author to have a character mention a book that is similar to the one the character is in, because if that book is BETTER than the one the reader is reading, it may fall by obvious comparison. It also seems a bit full of one's self. "Yes, my book is as good as the other one, maybe even better!". Just not a good idea. Not to mention, I knew nothing about the other book, so it could have been a spoiler for me and other readers.
8) The parents of the killer kid didn't communicate in ANY way to indicate their sorrow that their son killed the kids in four other families. Since apologizing and grieving with the other family members wouldn't bring the kids back, they decided not to do it.
Ummm....how is not expressing your sorrow over the evil that befell the other families a good thing? Send a card or even an email for crying out loud! The other family may hate your entire family's guts after what happened, but they can choose to open the card or email or to toss it out. By not even trying to connect with the families who are related to you and you have been best of friends with after their loss, you come across as uncaring to their agony.
It is incredibly selfish to not contact them, saying to yourself that it's for the best, that they probably hate you anyway and you don't want to cause a scene. Epic fail.
I think that covers the negative "meat" portion of the hamburger.
Second positive: If you enjoy family drama and British vernacular being used by the MC and her family, if you don't mind political grandstanding in your books, then this might be the one for you.
It completely did not work for me and I wouldn't recommend it. One star.
December 21, 2015
**Thank you to Goodreads giveaways for allowing me to read a copy of No Place To Hide in exchange for an honest review. I actually won this book back in June and just now got around to reading it, so I apologize for taking so long.
First off, I've read books before that take place in a location that I have vacationed at but I've never read one where I live an hour away from where the story takes place. Its set in Culver, Indiana, which is a place where I've spent time at and even jumped into Lake Maxincukee the night I graduated from high school. Kind of surreal to know the town where the characters in the story are living. I feel like the next time I'm in Culver I'm going to be like, "Oh, that's where Justine had coffee or something to that effect." Anyway.....
This is my first time reading Susan Lewis but I can say that it won't be my last. She had a very gentle way to her storytelling, even with something as horrific that happened. Sometimes I didn't agree with why Justine and Matt came up with the decisions they did but it made the story seem more real. The story and characters were very human, real, relatable, and sympathetic. I enjoyed reading this, I'm just sorry that I didn't get to it sooner. I would say if you enjoy Liane Moriarty's books, I think this would be something that would interest you.
First off, I've read books before that take place in a location that I have vacationed at but I've never read one where I live an hour away from where the story takes place. Its set in Culver, Indiana, which is a place where I've spent time at and even jumped into Lake Maxincukee the night I graduated from high school. Kind of surreal to know the town where the characters in the story are living. I feel like the next time I'm in Culver I'm going to be like, "Oh, that's where Justine had coffee or something to that effect." Anyway.....
This is my first time reading Susan Lewis but I can say that it won't be my last. She had a very gentle way to her storytelling, even with something as horrific that happened. Sometimes I didn't agree with why Justine and Matt came up with the decisions they did but it made the story seem more real. The story and characters were very human, real, relatable, and sympathetic. I enjoyed reading this, I'm just sorry that I didn't get to it sooner. I would say if you enjoy Liane Moriarty's books, I think this would be something that would interest you.
August 14, 2015
A special thank you to Random House/Ballantine, NetGalley, and LibraryThing Early Reviewer for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Susan Lewis’s NO PLACE TO HIDE reveals dark family secrets of the past for an emotionally-charged complex tale of social issues, family, psychological suspense, mystery—secrets, tragedy and forgiveness.
Justine Cantrell (Justine McQuillan) is running; haunted by the past. Fleeing from England, from her marriage and her life. A mysterious and horrific tragedy—she hopes to find a new start, and escapes to her grandmother’s hometown of Culiver, Indiana.
Having spent some happy times here as a child with her grandmother May, set in the idyllic town and surrounded by the mesmerizing Lake Maxincuckee (Max)-- she longs for the peaceful moments and the calming ocean. Justine wants to go where no one knows her. A new name and a new beginning.
She and her younger brother, Rob used to come to Culver for summer vacations. And their busy parents used to hand them over to Grandma May each June. However, they stopped coming around the time Justine was six and Rob was four. Their father’s job had taken the family to London and she did not recall May ever having come to London, nor had they returned to Lake Max. She felt her grandmother calling her back, even though she had passed on some thirty years ago.
She and her daughter, Lula try and settle into their new life in American in the quaint town. However, it wasn’t what she expected. It is a town of contrasts, hidden stories, troubled history— settling on a lake that glistened like a lost jewel in the middle of nowhere.
Flashing back and forth from America to England, from different time periods, before it all went wrong. Readers learn about a time eighteen years earlier in London, with her husband Matt, and their family with two other children---a tragedy which has left Justine with devastation, guilt, regret, and remorse, the constant reliving of a crime—where did things go wrong? What kind of malice had been at play when fate had mapped out their ways? Will she now have to re-live another nightmare?
With many twists and turns, and another family secret as all the dots connect the two storylines, before the book ends. An ideal choice for book clubs and discussions—how you would react in a a similar situation, with a variety of perspectives, and what ifs. Susan delivers a tale ultimately of hope and uplifting inspiration.
What I enjoyed about Susan’s writing--she delves into the deep emotions of her characters, without her main protagonist coming off as weak or whinny. She is strong, facing circumstances any mother should not have to face. The settings are vivid, drawing you into the time and place, which is sometimes difficult for authors writing about areas, other than their own home familiar territory, and she pulls it off nicely.
A poignant, and thought-provoking novel of friendship, family and the strong power of love, overcoming adversity and tragedy. Delving into some devastating social issues and two generations of family secrets, making for an intriguing and suspenseful story.
I loved Lewis' NEVER SAY GOODBYE and look forward to reading more by this talented author.
Readers get a sneak preview of upcoming TOO CLOSE TO HOME, coming Dec 2015—delving into a modern family’s harrowing encounter with the complex world of cyberbullying. Keeping my fingers crossed for an ARC; sounds intriguing--am hooked!
JDCMustReadBooks
Susan Lewis’s NO PLACE TO HIDE reveals dark family secrets of the past for an emotionally-charged complex tale of social issues, family, psychological suspense, mystery—secrets, tragedy and forgiveness.
Justine Cantrell (Justine McQuillan) is running; haunted by the past. Fleeing from England, from her marriage and her life. A mysterious and horrific tragedy—she hopes to find a new start, and escapes to her grandmother’s hometown of Culiver, Indiana.
Having spent some happy times here as a child with her grandmother May, set in the idyllic town and surrounded by the mesmerizing Lake Maxincuckee (Max)-- she longs for the peaceful moments and the calming ocean. Justine wants to go where no one knows her. A new name and a new beginning.
She and her younger brother, Rob used to come to Culver for summer vacations. And their busy parents used to hand them over to Grandma May each June. However, they stopped coming around the time Justine was six and Rob was four. Their father’s job had taken the family to London and she did not recall May ever having come to London, nor had they returned to Lake Max. She felt her grandmother calling her back, even though she had passed on some thirty years ago.
She and her daughter, Lula try and settle into their new life in American in the quaint town. However, it wasn’t what she expected. It is a town of contrasts, hidden stories, troubled history— settling on a lake that glistened like a lost jewel in the middle of nowhere.
Flashing back and forth from America to England, from different time periods, before it all went wrong. Readers learn about a time eighteen years earlier in London, with her husband Matt, and their family with two other children---a tragedy which has left Justine with devastation, guilt, regret, and remorse, the constant reliving of a crime—where did things go wrong? What kind of malice had been at play when fate had mapped out their ways? Will she now have to re-live another nightmare?
With many twists and turns, and another family secret as all the dots connect the two storylines, before the book ends. An ideal choice for book clubs and discussions—how you would react in a a similar situation, with a variety of perspectives, and what ifs. Susan delivers a tale ultimately of hope and uplifting inspiration.
What I enjoyed about Susan’s writing--she delves into the deep emotions of her characters, without her main protagonist coming off as weak or whinny. She is strong, facing circumstances any mother should not have to face. The settings are vivid, drawing you into the time and place, which is sometimes difficult for authors writing about areas, other than their own home familiar territory, and she pulls it off nicely.
A poignant, and thought-provoking novel of friendship, family and the strong power of love, overcoming adversity and tragedy. Delving into some devastating social issues and two generations of family secrets, making for an intriguing and suspenseful story.
I loved Lewis' NEVER SAY GOODBYE and look forward to reading more by this talented author.
Readers get a sneak preview of upcoming TOO CLOSE TO HOME, coming Dec 2015—delving into a modern family’s harrowing encounter with the complex world of cyberbullying. Keeping my fingers crossed for an ARC; sounds intriguing--am hooked!
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all—Emily Dickinson
JDCMustReadBooks
September 12, 2015
No Place to Hide by Susan Lewis is a 2015 Ballantine Books publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher as a part of The LibraryThing Early Review program.
No Place to Hide is a powerful, emotional, and stunning novel.
I had no idea what to expect when I started the book but I was under the impression it was a suspense mystery novel. Well, it is that, but is also a riveting drama that held me in it's grip from start to finish.
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.
-Emily Dickinson
Justine has moved from England to Culver, Indiana, a place where her grandmother once owned a lake house. Justine remembers spending summers here as a child and is positive her deceased grandmother is compelling her to live in Indiana instead of settling down somewhere else.
Justine has been forced to begin her life over again with her three year old daughter, leaving her husband behind. She's changed her name, keeps her past a secret, confides in no one, not even her current best friend. She's constantly worried about the press, about someone finding out who she really is, she's jumpy, emotional, and seems very fragile.
But, why is Justine hiding? What is she running from? Why is she starting over and leaving behind a husband she obviously loves and misses dearly?
All we know is that Justine and Matt agreed that living separate lives was the only way their three year old daughter could have a normal life and that whatever has driven them to this unorthodox arrangement is something truly sinister.
Via flashbacks, we learn that Matt and Justine had a pretty charmed life for a while. They had purchased their dream home, were surrounded by good friends, were both happy with their careers, and had three healthy children. But, as the past begins to merge with the present the shocking truth will leave you shaken to the core.
The pacing in the first half of the book is slow, but tantalizing, as the author builds the suspense and mystery to crescendo. I could not begin to fathom why Justine and Matt would take such extreme measures to protect their daughter, agreeing to avoid contacting one another even. Why were the media interested in them? I tried to puzzle it all out, coming up with a plethora of scenarios, but never, ever would I have guessed where the story was headed.
Once the shocking truth is revealed the second half of the story take on an entirely new dimension as everything we learned before now makes sense. But, the atmosphere is so taut by that this time I was nearly breathless.
The secondary story in which Justine discovers some puzzling information regarding her grandmother, is paralleled to the situation Justine is in, certainly not to the same extent or context, but does add another layer to story that has it's own twist and surprises.
The themes explored in this novel are multi – layered, such as family secrets, running from the past, family bonds, parental mistakes, prejudice, cruelty, blame and guilt, but also the promise of forgiveness, a testament to power of love, of forgiveness, and of hope.
While there are other books that have tackled some of these issues, none have been presented in such a way as this, and I can not stop praising the author's ability to create such intense emotions, create doubts, touch on our worst nightmares, but still, despite such grim circumstances offer us a renewed hope and leave us with a sense of peace.
None of the characters in the novel will ever be the same, they will bear crosses all their lives, will have moments of confusion, pain, guilt, regret and remorse, will second guess all that came before and all that will come next, but these are remarkable people in unbearable circumstances who will no doubt soldier on and make the best possible future with what and who is left to build it with.
5 stars
No Place to Hide is a powerful, emotional, and stunning novel.
I had no idea what to expect when I started the book but I was under the impression it was a suspense mystery novel. Well, it is that, but is also a riveting drama that held me in it's grip from start to finish.
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.
-Emily Dickinson
Justine has moved from England to Culver, Indiana, a place where her grandmother once owned a lake house. Justine remembers spending summers here as a child and is positive her deceased grandmother is compelling her to live in Indiana instead of settling down somewhere else.
Justine has been forced to begin her life over again with her three year old daughter, leaving her husband behind. She's changed her name, keeps her past a secret, confides in no one, not even her current best friend. She's constantly worried about the press, about someone finding out who she really is, she's jumpy, emotional, and seems very fragile.
But, why is Justine hiding? What is she running from? Why is she starting over and leaving behind a husband she obviously loves and misses dearly?
All we know is that Justine and Matt agreed that living separate lives was the only way their three year old daughter could have a normal life and that whatever has driven them to this unorthodox arrangement is something truly sinister.
Via flashbacks, we learn that Matt and Justine had a pretty charmed life for a while. They had purchased their dream home, were surrounded by good friends, were both happy with their careers, and had three healthy children. But, as the past begins to merge with the present the shocking truth will leave you shaken to the core.
The pacing in the first half of the book is slow, but tantalizing, as the author builds the suspense and mystery to crescendo. I could not begin to fathom why Justine and Matt would take such extreme measures to protect their daughter, agreeing to avoid contacting one another even. Why were the media interested in them? I tried to puzzle it all out, coming up with a plethora of scenarios, but never, ever would I have guessed where the story was headed.
Once the shocking truth is revealed the second half of the story take on an entirely new dimension as everything we learned before now makes sense. But, the atmosphere is so taut by that this time I was nearly breathless.
The secondary story in which Justine discovers some puzzling information regarding her grandmother, is paralleled to the situation Justine is in, certainly not to the same extent or context, but does add another layer to story that has it's own twist and surprises.
The themes explored in this novel are multi – layered, such as family secrets, running from the past, family bonds, parental mistakes, prejudice, cruelty, blame and guilt, but also the promise of forgiveness, a testament to power of love, of forgiveness, and of hope.
While there are other books that have tackled some of these issues, none have been presented in such a way as this, and I can not stop praising the author's ability to create such intense emotions, create doubts, touch on our worst nightmares, but still, despite such grim circumstances offer us a renewed hope and leave us with a sense of peace.
None of the characters in the novel will ever be the same, they will bear crosses all their lives, will have moments of confusion, pain, guilt, regret and remorse, will second guess all that came before and all that will come next, but these are remarkable people in unbearable circumstances who will no doubt soldier on and make the best possible future with what and who is left to build it with.
5 stars
September 30, 2015
I've got mixed feelings about this one. I had a couple of false starts, which is always a bad sign for me, primarily because I found the back-and-forth switching difficult, more like tantalizing glimpses: each time the story was flowing, there was an abrupt switch moving forward or back eighteen years, breaking the rhythm and throwing me out of the story. One even felt like bad TV editing, ending on a cliffhanger and then skipping right past the cliff with only the barest acknowledgement the next time around.
After I got a few chapters in, though, it became a little easier. I still found the transitions awkward, but at least there was some footing for each one as the suspense began to build.
It soon became apparent that there was some insurmountable tragedy in Justine's life, something terrible that caused her to leave her home and husband and start a new life with her little girl, but I found myself becoming annoyed by the mysterious allusions that always intruded.
Once the truth started emerging, though, all that was left behind, and a terrifying, unimaginable picture appeared: . The dual viewpoint allowed you to see it coming, and to draw your own conclusions, and then pushed you inexorably towards the conclusion.
I would have rated this 4 stars had the initial transitions been better paced, and more balanced. It's possible that the final version was different from this ARC, so I'd advise making your own judgements!
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
After I got a few chapters in, though, it became a little easier. I still found the transitions awkward, but at least there was some footing for each one as the suspense began to build.
It soon became apparent that there was some insurmountable tragedy in Justine's life, something terrible that caused her to leave her home and husband and start a new life with her little girl, but I found myself becoming annoyed by the mysterious allusions that always intruded.
Once the truth started emerging, though, all that was left behind, and a terrifying, unimaginable picture appeared: . The dual viewpoint allowed you to see it coming, and to draw your own conclusions, and then pushed you inexorably towards the conclusion.
I would have rated this 4 stars had the initial transitions been better paced, and more balanced. It's possible that the final version was different from this ARC, so I'd advise making your own judgements!
Disclaimer: I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2015
I really liked this book. I think it took a little long to get to the real reason why Justine left England to live in a small town in Indiana. I was almost to the point, okay why, tell me now!
I think the story was good and dealt with in an entertaining way, if such a thing is possible. However, I did enjoy reading it. There was a lot of emotional roller coasters going on in this story and the ride, for me, was enjoyable.
I want to thank Ballantine Books and Net Galley for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I definitely recommend this book.
I think the story was good and dealt with in an entertaining way, if such a thing is possible. However, I did enjoy reading it. There was a lot of emotional roller coasters going on in this story and the ride, for me, was enjoyable.
I want to thank Ballantine Books and Net Galley for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I definitely recommend this book.
July 30, 2015
No Place to Hide by Susan Lewis tells the story of Justine Cantrell and what happened to her family. The book starts out in present day with Justine and daughter, Tallulah (prefers Lula) arriving in Culver, Indiana. They are starting over in a new place, new last name, and new country. Justine felt she had to get away and start over. She picked the city where her grandmother used to live before she passed away and where Justine spent a couple of summers when she was young. Her husband, Matt is still living in England.
The book then goes back eighteen years to tell how Justine and Matt met. We get to find out how they find the perfect home in Chippingly Vale (in the UK) and started their family. Justine and Matt had a little girl named Abby and a son named Ben. Lula was not born until the other two children were teenagers. Matt is a writer whose books ended up being turned into video games. Justine started a deli and then a catering company. Things started going wrong after Ben hit his head on the ground getting out of a tree (he was coming down at the same time as Abby).
The story tells of the families’ great tragedy and the long road to recovery. You have to read through half the book before we find out about the tragedy (you will guess what it is while reading the book). I did not enjoy reading this book. I like to read books for pleasure and this was like watching a news special (those hour long specials on news events). The writer takes forever getting to the actual event (just when you are ready to chuck the book across the room). The story was long and protracted. I give No Place to Hide 2 out of 5 stars. It is a very depressing book (do not read this on a rainy day or you will really be in the dumps). I do want to note that there is an extreme amount of foul language in this book.
I received a complimentary copy of No Place to Hide from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
The book then goes back eighteen years to tell how Justine and Matt met. We get to find out how they find the perfect home in Chippingly Vale (in the UK) and started their family. Justine and Matt had a little girl named Abby and a son named Ben. Lula was not born until the other two children were teenagers. Matt is a writer whose books ended up being turned into video games. Justine started a deli and then a catering company. Things started going wrong after Ben hit his head on the ground getting out of a tree (he was coming down at the same time as Abby).
The story tells of the families’ great tragedy and the long road to recovery. You have to read through half the book before we find out about the tragedy (you will guess what it is while reading the book). I did not enjoy reading this book. I like to read books for pleasure and this was like watching a news special (those hour long specials on news events). The writer takes forever getting to the actual event (just when you are ready to chuck the book across the room). The story was long and protracted. I give No Place to Hide 2 out of 5 stars. It is a very depressing book (do not read this on a rainy day or you will really be in the dumps). I do want to note that there is an extreme amount of foul language in this book.
I received a complimentary copy of No Place to Hide from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The review and opinions expressed are my own.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
July 21, 2019
What I liked about this novel by Susan Lewis is how it switches from one chapter with Justine Cantrell in the present day in Culver, Indiana and with Matt and Justine years earlier in Chippingly vale UK. Justine was nine months pregnant and had an adorable daughter. Matt was undeniably good-looking, six feet tall with thick dark hair, Justine loved everything about him. Why has Justine Cantrell suddenly changed her name, abandoned the husband and family she loves and start a new life, with a new name in a place may thousands of miles away? No Place to Hide is a gripping story of love and betrayal.
August 5, 2016
Wow - what an amazing and emotional book! I was instantly drawn into the story and characters and was desperate to know what it was that caused Justine to go into hiding with her daughter. I'm not going to spoil it for anyone but when I found out what it was it sent me reeling. Definitely one I'll be recommending to people.
November 9, 2015
Another great book by Susan Lewis
April 23, 2021
Such a slow storyline. Seems this opinion is not shared by many though.
The great reveal...... Peerrlease....get a move on!
Didn't get a feel for the location either.
Second Susan Lewis book that I haven't enjoyed.
The great reveal...... Peerrlease....get a move on!
Didn't get a feel for the location either.
Second Susan Lewis book that I haven't enjoyed.
October 18, 2025
I’ll be honest my expectations for this book were low, but I was sooooooo sooooooo surprised. Probably the most emotionally taxing books I’ve ever read, so be mindful if you think about reading this one. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
Bonus points for it taking place in culver. 🥰
Bonus points for it taking place in culver. 🥰
July 15, 2015
I was awarded this novel by NETGALLEY AND BALLANTINE BOOKS, to read and give an honest review.
Thanks to NETGALLEY and BALLANTINE for the opportunity to read this fantastic novel.
I loved how the author made you care so much about the characters in this novel, from the children growing up, to the main characters, to the troubled youth, to the extended family, to friends of the family.
I truly felt Justine and Matt's pain throughout this novel, being a parent is one of the most challenging things you will ever do in your lifetime, you do the best you can do to teach your children right from wrong, to love others, to be respectful to others, humans and animals, to trust, tolerance for the differences in other people and forgiveness. This world is full of many different challenges for us all to face. This subject matter is a fear that many parents feel when they send their children out into the world, to play, to school, to work, to live life. You hope and pray your children are safe, however this is not always the case.
Justine and Matt are the parents of three children, they have two daughters and one son. They are doing the best they can, then things begin to fall apart, something terrible happens. This novel follows them from the beginning, when their children are little, to their teenage years. Abby seems to have it all, however Ben is a troubled soul, he is bitter, angry, threatening to his parents, sisters and other members of family and friends. The parents are at a loss as to what to do to help Ben, then he does the unthinkable, many suffer from Bens decision.
Justine and Matt blame themselves, this novel follows them through there grief, to forgiving themselves , to forgiving Ben.
My heart broke for all involved in this novel, from Ben, to his parents, to their parents, to the parents of the children. This was a heartbreaking novel, especially since this type of thing happens everyday.
This novel is about family, pain, forgiveness , most of all, love.
Thank you NETGALLEY and BALLANTINE.
Thanks to NETGALLEY and BALLANTINE for the opportunity to read this fantastic novel.
I loved how the author made you care so much about the characters in this novel, from the children growing up, to the main characters, to the troubled youth, to the extended family, to friends of the family.
I truly felt Justine and Matt's pain throughout this novel, being a parent is one of the most challenging things you will ever do in your lifetime, you do the best you can do to teach your children right from wrong, to love others, to be respectful to others, humans and animals, to trust, tolerance for the differences in other people and forgiveness. This world is full of many different challenges for us all to face. This subject matter is a fear that many parents feel when they send their children out into the world, to play, to school, to work, to live life. You hope and pray your children are safe, however this is not always the case.
Justine and Matt are the parents of three children, they have two daughters and one son. They are doing the best they can, then things begin to fall apart, something terrible happens. This novel follows them from the beginning, when their children are little, to their teenage years. Abby seems to have it all, however Ben is a troubled soul, he is bitter, angry, threatening to his parents, sisters and other members of family and friends. The parents are at a loss as to what to do to help Ben, then he does the unthinkable, many suffer from Bens decision.
Justine and Matt blame themselves, this novel follows them through there grief, to forgiving themselves , to forgiving Ben.
My heart broke for all involved in this novel, from Ben, to his parents, to their parents, to the parents of the children. This was a heartbreaking novel, especially since this type of thing happens everyday.
This novel is about family, pain, forgiveness , most of all, love.
Thank you NETGALLEY and BALLANTINE.
August 13, 2015
Review originally posted at
All Books Considered: 3 STARS
No Place To Hide is a book driven by the Justine (the MC) fleeing to the U.S. from a deep, dark secret in England. There were a lot of flashbacks to Justine's former, ideal life interspersed with the tatters of her current life post-secret. These flashbacks and the first bit of the book were well written and intriguing. However, once it was finally revealed what this deep, dark secret is, the book was a bit anti-climatic. I think the secret was built up so much that there was no way it could have been as bad as the it was supposed to be. Granted, it was not something pleasant and it was shocking, but from the MC's actions, I was expecting something vastly different. It just made no sense to me that she would have taken the actions she took as a result of this secret. There was also another backstory within her family that had no place in this book as well as a scene at the end when the MC is in a fever dream for a week that was totally confusing and should not have made the final cut. These small details detracted from the better parts of the book and left me ultimately unsatisfied.
That being said, I would recommend this to anyone that likes mysteries along the lines of Jodi Picoult or Diane Chamberlain. This book has those same twists and turns but without the exact execution of those authors.
No Place To Hide is a book driven by the Justine (the MC) fleeing to the U.S. from a deep, dark secret in England. There were a lot of flashbacks to Justine's former, ideal life interspersed with the tatters of her current life post-secret. These flashbacks and the first bit of the book were well written and intriguing. However, once it was finally revealed what this deep, dark secret is, the book was a bit anti-climatic. I think the secret was built up so much that there was no way it could have been as bad as the it was supposed to be. Granted, it was not something pleasant and it was shocking, but from the MC's actions, I was expecting something vastly different. It just made no sense to me that she would have taken the actions she took as a result of this secret. There was also another backstory within her family that had no place in this book as well as a scene at the end when the MC is in a fever dream for a week that was totally confusing and should not have made the final cut. These small details detracted from the better parts of the book and left me ultimately unsatisfied.
That being said, I would recommend this to anyone that likes mysteries along the lines of Jodi Picoult or Diane Chamberlain. This book has those same twists and turns but without the exact execution of those authors.
So this was what it was like beyond the corn-silk veil.
Others called it a curtain, but she preferred veil. This allowed for a more dreamlike connection between the blue skies and still waters of this hauntingly beautiful town, and the world out there, filled with cornfields, highways, cities, oceans-- the world, the family, she'd left behind.
August 25, 2015
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The original review can be found on
I really enjoyed this book. I am going to try and give it a thorough review without giving out too many details to give away the story. The synopsis doesn't give much of the storyline to the reader and usually I don't read many books like this. I was hooked from the beginning. The author introduces us to Justine and her daughter Lula as they are starting a fresh new life in a new country away from the rest of their family. Then we take a trip down memory lane (18 years before) to learn about Justine and her husband and how they bought their first farmhouse and started their family.
This novel floats back and forth between the present and the past and really builds on the characters and story before you even get to the reason why Justine ran with her youngest daughter to the USA from England. We know there are dark secrets Justine is running from and hiding but there really isn't many hints to guess what happened. I kept trying to guess what happened to make her so scared to be found in this new place and just couldn't. I really liked how the author went back and forth between present and past and felt it was really well done.
This is a depressing story of tragic loss and trying to rebuild a happy future. I wouldn't say this is a light read at all and be prepared for some harsh language and a very hard situations that will tug on your heart strings and emotions. The character development is very good and I felt I was really getting to know all the different characters in the story.
This is a very well written novel and I am looking forward to reading more from Susan Lewis.
I give this book a 4.5 stars out of 5.
I really enjoyed this book. I am going to try and give it a thorough review without giving out too many details to give away the story. The synopsis doesn't give much of the storyline to the reader and usually I don't read many books like this. I was hooked from the beginning. The author introduces us to Justine and her daughter Lula as they are starting a fresh new life in a new country away from the rest of their family. Then we take a trip down memory lane (18 years before) to learn about Justine and her husband and how they bought their first farmhouse and started their family.
This novel floats back and forth between the present and the past and really builds on the characters and story before you even get to the reason why Justine ran with her youngest daughter to the USA from England. We know there are dark secrets Justine is running from and hiding but there really isn't many hints to guess what happened. I kept trying to guess what happened to make her so scared to be found in this new place and just couldn't. I really liked how the author went back and forth between present and past and felt it was really well done.
This is a depressing story of tragic loss and trying to rebuild a happy future. I wouldn't say this is a light read at all and be prepared for some harsh language and a very hard situations that will tug on your heart strings and emotions. The character development is very good and I felt I was really getting to know all the different characters in the story.
This is a very well written novel and I am looking forward to reading more from Susan Lewis.
I give this book a 4.5 stars out of 5.
August 3, 2015
This is a stunning story, masterfully told of a young British couple whose lives take off soon after moving into a most charming farmhouse estate in the even more charming village of Chippingly Vale, UK.
Justine, partnering with her best friend Cheryl, at last gets a chance at her dream of running her own deli/catering business which, with the networking help of all their new friends and neighbors, very quickly begins to fly. And her husband Matt’s connections finally begin to come together to promote the successful publishing of his first book. Their children Abby and Ben become instantly popular with many friends in their new school. And the fabric of their lives for the first time becomes far more vibrant than ever before . . the kind of gilded life most people aspire to . . success, travel, and more friends than they can count.
But they are far too busy enjoying it all to notice that there is a serious flaw in the fiber of that fabric. It is, in a way, the classic tale of parents working so hard to bring their children a blessed life, the life that they themselves never had. But in the mad rush, priorities get misplaced, inner needs get passed over.
I could not put down this gripping family narrative as it unfolds, so intricately woven, with deeply carved characters, understandable, believable and current. The author bravely and open-mindedly takes on “controversial” subjects handling them convincingly, objectively and unoffensively. The end taking a turn that is both unexpected and uplifting.
And reflecting over it, I continue to see layers of dimension that weren’t initially apparent. It is still in my heart and mind days after the final page. Susan Lewis is a jewel of a storyteller. I will read more of her books, for sure.
Justine, partnering with her best friend Cheryl, at last gets a chance at her dream of running her own deli/catering business which, with the networking help of all their new friends and neighbors, very quickly begins to fly. And her husband Matt’s connections finally begin to come together to promote the successful publishing of his first book. Their children Abby and Ben become instantly popular with many friends in their new school. And the fabric of their lives for the first time becomes far more vibrant than ever before . . the kind of gilded life most people aspire to . . success, travel, and more friends than they can count.
But they are far too busy enjoying it all to notice that there is a serious flaw in the fiber of that fabric. It is, in a way, the classic tale of parents working so hard to bring their children a blessed life, the life that they themselves never had. But in the mad rush, priorities get misplaced, inner needs get passed over.
I could not put down this gripping family narrative as it unfolds, so intricately woven, with deeply carved characters, understandable, believable and current. The author bravely and open-mindedly takes on “controversial” subjects handling them convincingly, objectively and unoffensively. The end taking a turn that is both unexpected and uplifting.
And reflecting over it, I continue to see layers of dimension that weren’t initially apparent. It is still in my heart and mind days after the final page. Susan Lewis is a jewel of a storyteller. I will read more of her books, for sure.
January 28, 2016
I won this book in a competition. I'd never heard of Susan Lewis and I'd won it for simply saying that, and I hadn't read anything she had written. It was sent to me directly from the publishers. It's beautiful cover attracted me right away.
What a story this turned out to be, as Justine had a secret, and for several chapters as she settled in her new life, we, the reader, couldn't even guess why she had to leave the UK and settle in America with her daughter and without her husband. Witness Protection was mentioned and it crossed my mind, but it was worse than that in the end. Susan Lewis kept me guessing for a long while as the wonderfully descriptive story of Justine's new life was being revealed.
There was twist after twist in the this book and lots of suspense coming from different places. If you have never read it, I would certainly highly recommend it, especially if you are looking for something disappear into the pages of.
What a story this turned out to be, as Justine had a secret, and for several chapters as she settled in her new life, we, the reader, couldn't even guess why she had to leave the UK and settle in America with her daughter and without her husband. Witness Protection was mentioned and it crossed my mind, but it was worse than that in the end. Susan Lewis kept me guessing for a long while as the wonderfully descriptive story of Justine's new life was being revealed.
There was twist after twist in the this book and lots of suspense coming from different places. If you have never read it, I would certainly highly recommend it, especially if you are looking for something disappear into the pages of.
December 31, 2015
I liked the premise of this book, and the fact it was by Susan Lewis, whose books I have read over the years and enjoyed.
As much as the story was an interesting one I felt like I was having to wade through an awful lot to get to where it was going. The idea of flashbacks showing us how the main characters met was done well. But again even this felt like a lot of unnecessary chapters by the end of it.
Fans of the author will enjoy this book, as will fans of long drawn out sagas with a twist. I did enjoy the book but unfortunately I didn't love it as much as I'd hoped to.
As much as the story was an interesting one I felt like I was having to wade through an awful lot to get to where it was going. The idea of flashbacks showing us how the main characters met was done well. But again even this felt like a lot of unnecessary chapters by the end of it.
Fans of the author will enjoy this book, as will fans of long drawn out sagas with a twist. I did enjoy the book but unfortunately I didn't love it as much as I'd hoped to.
July 5, 2018
I never leave reviews but after reading No Place to Hide I just had to share how good this book is!
The story was not what I was expecting. Reading the title, looking at the front cover (I know I know don't judge) and even the blurb on the back I was not prepared for how emotionally drained and devastated I felt for the main character Justine. I wish I was a member of a book club so that I could discuss this in more detail. This book made me think about forgiveness, family, motherhood and the old nature Vs nurture debate. I won't say too much about the storyline just read it!
The story was not what I was expecting. Reading the title, looking at the front cover (I know I know don't judge) and even the blurb on the back I was not prepared for how emotionally drained and devastated I felt for the main character Justine. I wish I was a member of a book club so that I could discuss this in more detail. This book made me think about forgiveness, family, motherhood and the old nature Vs nurture debate. I won't say too much about the storyline just read it!
January 19, 2016
A long time since I have read a book by Susan Lewis. Slow to start but it does get you wondering what has happened to Justine in the past to make her run away from the UK to start a new life in the US - in the town where her grandmother used to live. Then all of a sudden the back story is revealed and I have to say I really wasn't expecting it. Enjoyed it but it left me wondering about the families involved and what happens to them.
August 7, 2015
I loved this book! Told in both the present and the past, both parts were beautifully written and kept me wanting more. For the first part of the book, you know something had happened but I did not anticipate what was coming. I thought the ending was well done. I will read more by this author.
ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 2, 2018
First time reading Susan Lewis. The plot and what Justine"ran way from", was something different and handled well. If a crime/mystery/thriller author wrote this book, I'm sure it would have have been brutal and shocking. This version is easily recommended to most readers out there.
December 7, 2019
This is definitely one of those books that you will not forget the storyline. It is quite shocking and dark but not in a horror or scary thriller way. Had me bordering on tears in a few places. A good read with a few twists, and hard to put down.
August 30, 2025
I read this book back in 2017. I was warned that it would be a "heavy" read, but I was recommended to it because of the Culver and Lake Maxinkuckee references, so I gave it a try.
To be blunt, this book was traumatizing. It was well written. It was an easy read, until it wasn't....
It's been a long time since I've read it but I still remember *that* scene so vividly. I would not recommend this book to anyone. It was really tough on my soul.
Again, a well written story, just not one I ever needed in my life.
To be blunt, this book was traumatizing. It was well written. It was an easy read, until it wasn't....
It's been a long time since I've read it but I still remember *that* scene so vividly. I would not recommend this book to anyone. It was really tough on my soul.
Again, a well written story, just not one I ever needed in my life.
March 11, 2018
Although a decent story all said and done. I feel like I had a mind block to this book with Susan's style of writing, I just struggled to connect with any of the characters and I felt alot of the story was forced together rather than a streamlined flowed.
July 22, 2015
This book is written in an interesting way, from 2 positions, different in time and location. One is in today's Indiana, with a mother and her little daughter, the other one is in London 15 years ago, with the same woman, her husband and two kids.
Seventeen years ago, Justine and her husband bought a home in a small city within connecting distance of London. The house is perfect, her two kids grow up there and hr husband even manages to drop his job in London and become a writer. Many trips to promote his books will follow. Justine suffers two miscarriages and accept she won't have more than two kids.
In Indiana, the same Justine is alone with Lula, a three year old. No husband, no other kids. You know something is very wrong, but what?
Flashback to London, where the kids are now teenagers, and Justine is pregnant again. The baby will be Lula.
Justine learns about the troubled life of her grandmother who lived in Culver. The author tries to connect the two stories without any reason.
This book is a good read, but it could easily have been so much better!
Seventeen years ago, Justine and her husband bought a home in a small city within connecting distance of London. The house is perfect, her two kids grow up there and hr husband even manages to drop his job in London and become a writer. Many trips to promote his books will follow. Justine suffers two miscarriages and accept she won't have more than two kids.
In Indiana, the same Justine is alone with Lula, a three year old. No husband, no other kids. You know something is very wrong, but what?
Flashback to London, where the kids are now teenagers, and Justine is pregnant again. The baby will be Lula.
Justine learns about the troubled life of her grandmother who lived in Culver. The author tries to connect the two stories without any reason.
This book is a good read, but it could easily have been so much better!
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