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Hidden Talents
Dulcie Ballantyne knows that creative writers' groups attract an unlikely bunch of people, so when she starts up Hidden Talents, she is well prepared for the assortment of personalities she is bringing together.
Beth King is facing empty-nest syndrome as her only son, Nathan, is looking forward to leaving home for university. Jack Solomon, a local estate agent, is having trouble coming to terms with the shock of his wife leaving him for his best friend. Jaz Rafferty is an intensely private seventeen-year-old girl, who writes to escape her large, boisterous family. Victor Blackmore is an opinionated know-it-all, who claims to be writing the blockbuster novel every publisher will be clamouring for.
What they all have in common is a need to escape, as well as a desire to keep their lives as private as possible - even Dulcie, who at the age of sixty-three has been having an affair with a married man for the last three years. As they grow more confident in their writing skills, friendships develop and gradually they come to realise that a little openness isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Beth King is facing empty-nest syndrome as her only son, Nathan, is looking forward to leaving home for university. Jack Solomon, a local estate agent, is having trouble coming to terms with the shock of his wife leaving him for his best friend. Jaz Rafferty is an intensely private seventeen-year-old girl, who writes to escape her large, boisterous family. Victor Blackmore is an opinionated know-it-all, who claims to be writing the blockbuster novel every publisher will be clamouring for.
What they all have in common is a need to escape, as well as a desire to keep their lives as private as possible - even Dulcie, who at the age of sixty-three has been having an affair with a married man for the last three years. As they grow more confident in their writing skills, friendships develop and gradually they come to realise that a little openness isn't necessarily a bad thing.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
70 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
About the author
Erica James
55 books1,061 followersWith an insatiable appetite for other people's business, Erica James will readily strike up conversation with strangers in the hope of unearthing a useful gem for her writing. She finds it the best way to write authentic characters for her novels, although her two grown-up sons claim they will never recover from a childhood spent in a perpetual state of embarrassment at their mother's compulsion.
The author of nineteen bestselling novels, and the winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Erica divides her time between Suffolk and Lake Como in Italy.
The author of nineteen bestselling novels, and the winner of the 2006 Romantic Novel of the Year Award, Erica divides her time between Suffolk and Lake Como in Italy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
February 19, 2025
4⭐️ = Good.
Paperback.
This was lent to me by a work colleague, who really enjoyed it. I took one look at the cover and wanted to give it straight back to her😂. It just looked so boring. Now, I take it all back, it was a good read that revolved around a writing group and its members. All of the characters were interesting and it was detailed enough without being’ over the top’.
Paperback.
This was lent to me by a work colleague, who really enjoyed it. I took one look at the cover and wanted to give it straight back to her😂. It just looked so boring. Now, I take it all back, it was a good read that revolved around a writing group and its members. All of the characters were interesting and it was detailed enough without being’ over the top’.
October 23, 2009
I have been reading the novels written by Erica James since her first one ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ was published in 1996. With the exception of ‘Gardens of Delight’ which is still sitting on my bookshelf, plus ‘Love and Devotion’ which I still have not obtained a copy of, I have now read all her novels. I regard her work as a thoroughly good read where you can immerse yourself in the story, not great literature but so much better than some of the novels regarded as ‘chick lit’ or ‘romantic women’s fiction’.
I continue to enjoy her work when I want to sit back relax and read a reasonably realistic romance with once again believable characters. We appear to share a love of Italy as Italian locations often appear in her novels, this time Venice.
The protagonists in this novel all decide to cope with changes in their lives by joining a writing group, giving them an opportunity to meet new people with a shared interest. ‘Hidden Talents’ is the name given to the writer’s group and the members were of varied ages and backgrounds, with to start with not much in common apart from a shared passion in writing.
Dulcie Ballantyne is the organiser and leader of the group a sixty three year old who has been a widow for the last twenty two years and has learnt to cope with life in an optimistic manner whatever life throws at her. However as the novel opens her married lover is in hospital as the result of a heart attack and there is nothing she can do.
The first member of the writing group that we meet is Jaz Rafferty a seventeen year old with an intensive desire to write. This is something she keeps secret from her large and exuberant family, of which she is the middle child of five, as she feels they will just laugh at her.
We are next introduced to Beth King a widow from the young age of thirty-two, eleven years ago and soon to become an ‘empty-nester’ when her son Nathan goes to university. She knows that she needs to expand her horizons so has joined Dulcie’s writing group. Since her husband died she has found comfort in writing down her thoughts.
Next we are introduced to Jack Solomon although he does not immediately become a member of the group in the first chapter devoted to him. Jack a local estate agent is struggling to make a new life for himself after the shock of having his wife leave him for his best friend.
The final person to make a commitment to joining the group is Victor Blackmore a pompous sounding prat who was already working on a novel and looking for expert appraisal.
The novel is not so much about the group and its meetings but about the lives of members of the group and how their friendship grows as they support each other through changes going on in their lives.
I continue to enjoy her work when I want to sit back relax and read a reasonably realistic romance with once again believable characters. We appear to share a love of Italy as Italian locations often appear in her novels, this time Venice.
The protagonists in this novel all decide to cope with changes in their lives by joining a writing group, giving them an opportunity to meet new people with a shared interest. ‘Hidden Talents’ is the name given to the writer’s group and the members were of varied ages and backgrounds, with to start with not much in common apart from a shared passion in writing.
Dulcie Ballantyne is the organiser and leader of the group a sixty three year old who has been a widow for the last twenty two years and has learnt to cope with life in an optimistic manner whatever life throws at her. However as the novel opens her married lover is in hospital as the result of a heart attack and there is nothing she can do.
The first member of the writing group that we meet is Jaz Rafferty a seventeen year old with an intensive desire to write. This is something she keeps secret from her large and exuberant family, of which she is the middle child of five, as she feels they will just laugh at her.
We are next introduced to Beth King a widow from the young age of thirty-two, eleven years ago and soon to become an ‘empty-nester’ when her son Nathan goes to university. She knows that she needs to expand her horizons so has joined Dulcie’s writing group. Since her husband died she has found comfort in writing down her thoughts.
Next we are introduced to Jack Solomon although he does not immediately become a member of the group in the first chapter devoted to him. Jack a local estate agent is struggling to make a new life for himself after the shock of having his wife leave him for his best friend.
The final person to make a commitment to joining the group is Victor Blackmore a pompous sounding prat who was already working on a novel and looking for expert appraisal.
The novel is not so much about the group and its meetings but about the lives of members of the group and how their friendship grows as they support each other through changes going on in their lives.
August 15, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Dulcie is an interesting character who does her best to keep her writing group going. The book is easy to read and I like the way it's written from the different character's points of view. I did feel sorry for the wife involved in Dulcie's affair and wondered why the author fails to show any sympathy towards her. Perhaps she has never been in that situation herself in real life.The part where Dulcie goes to Venice by herself did get a bit tedious and I couldn't feel sorry for her.I found Victor to be an interesting character but I thought Jess' dad and brothers were hard to believe.They seemed caricatures to me.
July 7, 2021
There are some books which make you dive in comfort and familiarity and wanting more of them. I feel this description suits hidden talents which says that every person has many layers underneath and its always wise to treat everyone kindly while not judging them because you never know the complete story of a person. When i was reading this book, i did not want it to end so much that i stopped reading it for a while deliberately because i don’t want it to end. It happens with every book i choose and read or probably i read books of my genre and so it happens. Anyway coming to the review of this book, it is a good relaxing beach read, will recommend it to anyone who is going through trauma or any struggle as this read is very soothing. Content or story line of book is not great but it is entertaining. People who read books for fun and not looking forward to anything serious content or learning, will like this book. Hope you can read your book today and enjoy it thoroughly!❤️
September 15, 2013
Erica James has definitely earned a place now in my "comfort reading" category. Once again, I didn't like this one quite as much as the first one I read (Love and Devotion), but I liked it better than Tell it to the Skies. I'd give it 3 1/2 stars if that were possible. As a writing instructor, I liked the "writing group" frame. I also enjoyed the characters and the family relationships. There's a niceness about these that contributes to my labelling her as "comfort" reading. The only character that faltered, I thought, was the guy that everyone's had in their writing class, the self-important, aspergers spectrum male who won't shut up and is excessively tiresome. I felt that she dropped the ball on making him completely believable and sympathetic or giving us real insight into what makes him tick. Cannot really say more without spoilers, but I thought she took the easy way out. All in all, though, this was a pleasant and engaging read.
March 9, 2019
I realised I love stories where there are several protagonists. Here we get three heroines of different age: a teen, a forty-something and a lady in her seventies, as well as a man of 35. There are other characters who are also shown in a bit more detail, and I enjoyed reading all of their parts.
The book flows slowly, so it was a good choice for me to immerse in an other universe.
I especially liked the impossibility of Jack's situation: it is so truly depicted how he still loves his wife and his old-time friend who cheated on him, and how he adores his daughters. It was good to see that the author doesn't think she can solve such a difficult situation.
The book flows slowly, so it was a good choice for me to immerse in an other universe.
I especially liked the impossibility of Jack's situation: it is so truly depicted how he still loves his wife and his old-time friend who cheated on him, and how he adores his daughters. It was good to see that the author doesn't think she can solve such a difficult situation.
August 6, 2022
I'm trying to read some of Erica's back catalogue and have chanced upon this book.
It is written from the different characters points of view and for that I really enjoyed the book and felt I got a lot more from it. Sometimes with a book with a few main characters you don't feel you get to know all of them but in this book I certainly did.
The story is well thought out and it was nice to discover different layers to all these characters and I enjoyed following all their paths. There were many and different paths to follow, some happy and some sad.
We are linked together with a new writers group and it was interesting to find out why each one of the participants signed up and then even more about each one of them. I didn't agree with all of their actions but I still enjoyed reading about each and every one of them. (I do wish Richard had spoken up before to his wife which was about the only negative side I found in this book.)
Erica does write a very good tale and has a lovely readable way of telling her tales.
I will continue to look out for other older books of hers.
It is written from the different characters points of view and for that I really enjoyed the book and felt I got a lot more from it. Sometimes with a book with a few main characters you don't feel you get to know all of them but in this book I certainly did.
The story is well thought out and it was nice to discover different layers to all these characters and I enjoyed following all their paths. There were many and different paths to follow, some happy and some sad.
We are linked together with a new writers group and it was interesting to find out why each one of the participants signed up and then even more about each one of them. I didn't agree with all of their actions but I still enjoyed reading about each and every one of them. (I do wish Richard had spoken up before to his wife which was about the only negative side I found in this book.)
Erica does write a very good tale and has a lovely readable way of telling her tales.
I will continue to look out for other older books of hers.
August 30, 2019
This is a really great book. Many of us in middle age, and many other stages of life, have the need to reinvent ourselves for many and varied reasons.
Perhaps this is why I enjoyed the novel so much..it takes a group of people from different walks of life and shows how we can bring out the best in each other and ease the process of reinventing.
The books brings together people for a writing group and they all have their share of pain. In the best tradition of womens’ fiction, these are not all resolved without significant emotional pain. I enjoyed the writing so much that I had a huge amount invested in the characters.
I love reading books like this as part of my eclectic tastes. I wouldn’t want to read this type of fiction all the time, but it’s been a big life to me mentally, and just what I needed right now.
Perhaps this is why I enjoyed the novel so much..it takes a group of people from different walks of life and shows how we can bring out the best in each other and ease the process of reinventing.
The books brings together people for a writing group and they all have their share of pain. In the best tradition of womens’ fiction, these are not all resolved without significant emotional pain. I enjoyed the writing so much that I had a huge amount invested in the characters.
I love reading books like this as part of my eclectic tastes. I wouldn’t want to read this type of fiction all the time, but it’s been a big life to me mentally, and just what I needed right now.
June 23, 2020
I like Erica James - she writes about normal people leading normal lives and they are of all ages and sizes. No gym bunnies, 20 somethings or man hungry characters. Not to say the books are boring as they are most definitely not, but they sweep you in and before you know it you can't put the books down.
This story follows a group of budding writers - Beth (single widow and teenage child with in law issues), Jazz (teenager with family issues), Jack (soon to be divorcee), Dulcie (harlot - only joking, but mistress to married man) and Victor (nutter comes good). A motley crew if ever there was one, but their stories evolve and join together so well and they come to a satisfying ending without too much sugary niceness.
It's female literature but with no fluff, a good page turner with depth. A good read indeed.
Oh, and I rarely give 5 stars to books!
This story follows a group of budding writers - Beth (single widow and teenage child with in law issues), Jazz (teenager with family issues), Jack (soon to be divorcee), Dulcie (harlot - only joking, but mistress to married man) and Victor (nutter comes good). A motley crew if ever there was one, but their stories evolve and join together so well and they come to a satisfying ending without too much sugary niceness.
It's female literature but with no fluff, a good page turner with depth. A good read indeed.
Oh, and I rarely give 5 stars to books!
February 13, 2023
An excellent Storyline and Plot.
Very well written, as is now the Author's
Trademark.
Lots of humour, I am confident, I missed lots😃
Also informative for those, would be Authors,
who have not yet taken the Plunge.
I would say, "some of the insights would be
advantageous, laughter while learning,
is much better than an in depth instruction
Manual, in my opinion."
How to be Writer Manuals, Risk an
Avalanche, a Vesuvian Outpouring of Unimaginative Sameness!
Thankfully, never the case, in my opinion,
and experience, when reading an Erica James
Novel, I just want more!
However, being fair, Erica James provides not
only quality, in depth, humorous Plots, being
short on pages, could never be, an honest
accusation or criticism.
I can now relate to some of the effects, being a
Writer, could have on, Families, especially when, a happy ending does not materialise.
Only adds to the Genius, that is Erica James!
Read "Hidden Talents"
and thank yourself later, that you did!
Very well written, as is now the Author's
Trademark.
Lots of humour, I am confident, I missed lots😃
Also informative for those, would be Authors,
who have not yet taken the Plunge.
I would say, "some of the insights would be
advantageous, laughter while learning,
is much better than an in depth instruction
Manual, in my opinion."
How to be Writer Manuals, Risk an
Avalanche, a Vesuvian Outpouring of Unimaginative Sameness!
Thankfully, never the case, in my opinion,
and experience, when reading an Erica James
Novel, I just want more!
However, being fair, Erica James provides not
only quality, in depth, humorous Plots, being
short on pages, could never be, an honest
accusation or criticism.
I can now relate to some of the effects, being a
Writer, could have on, Families, especially when, a happy ending does not materialise.
Only adds to the Genius, that is Erica James!
Read "Hidden Talents"
and thank yourself later, that you did!
December 21, 2021
This was an easy read and although somewhat mundane I found that I cared about what happened to most of the characters. They were easy to identify with, well developed and not all of them get a happy ending - which makes for a more interesting and less predictable story. Sixty-three year old widow Dulcie sets up a writers' group which attracts diverse characters with different reasons for joining. Relationships form - not all are friendly - and paths cross as the group members' lives unfold. There’s a few surprises but within plausible storylines. I can see why Erica James is a popular author and if I come across more of her books I would probably read them.
July 7, 2021
Several of her readers describe Erica James' books as comfort reading: A perfect description! This book centres on the characters who attend a creative writing group. (As I am also in a writing group I was drawn to it immediately. So far though short stories are my limit whereas the people in this tale hope to write a novel.)
Each character has their own personal hurdle to climb, marriage break-ups and family difficulties being just two, with the focus on relationships as well as ambitions. The ending is not unexpected and maybe life isn't ever that simple but it is an enjoyable read.
Each character has their own personal hurdle to climb, marriage break-ups and family difficulties being just two, with the focus on relationships as well as ambitions. The ending is not unexpected and maybe life isn't ever that simple but it is an enjoyable read.
June 9, 2024
Hidden Talents is much more than the name of the writers group at the centre of this story. This simple device allows James to introduce a gallery of characters and help us to watch them discover their hidden talents. These extend beyond storytelling to growing as human beings and discovering hidden talents for caring for, understanding and nurturing others. This includes learning to cope with pain and loss and the agonies of finding and losing love. In this case there are love stories for all ages, even including LGBTQ + characters. This gives a breadth to a wise and human novel.
December 2, 2017
Another amazing book by Erica James. The first few chapters was quite flat but thank God I read on, and no regrets. I love each and every characters in this book. Each has their own set of problems but how they came together in a Writing Group. A light and easy read....I wish it doesn't end but all good things must come to an end. A beautifully written story with a happy ending. Puts me in a good mood reading this book. I find it hard to put down the book.
April 23, 2025
A really simple, straightforward read.
Didn't enjoy the weird justifications for cheating and infidelity kinda took me out of it and made me dislike certain characters but yeah it's definitely very 2000s 🚑
The emails between Beth and "Ewan" had my insides cringing to max capacity and i had to keep reminding myself that this book came out while I was still in diapers and things were very different back then xD not the most memorable read but meh, it helps you pass the time.
Didn't enjoy the weird justifications for cheating and infidelity kinda took me out of it and made me dislike certain characters but yeah it's definitely very 2000s 🚑
The emails between Beth and "Ewan" had my insides cringing to max capacity and i had to keep reminding myself that this book came out while I was still in diapers and things were very different back then xD not the most memorable read but meh, it helps you pass the time.
January 6, 2026
Hidden Talents is the story of a group of people who join a creative writing group - each hoping that it will help them with their personal struggles. An interesting group of characters help to make this book thoroughly enjoyable, and how they become friends. Dulcie is the organizer, Beth is struggling with her son going off to university, Jack whose wife has left him for his best friend, Jaz needs a quiet place, Victor who thinks he is a writer. Its delightful.
June 16, 2017
Characters were nice but I couldn't really connect with them. Overall I enjoyed the book, but it took me forever to get through. All a bit twee for me and I just wasn't really sure what genre it was going for; romance? (not enough), drama? (skimmed over), character driven? (too many of them). It was a pleasant story but just seemed to plod along kind of aimlessly.
June 10, 2021
A great story with a lovely cast of characters, all with secrets they are hiding. The individual stories are blended together thru a writers group called Hidden Talents. Well written, and I couldn't read it fast enough to find out how it was going to end for everyone. Highly recommend this book if you are an Erica James or similar author fan.
April 15, 2023
One of the most touching and amazing books of all time. The diverse age of the characters makes them lovable to everyone. You can relate to the feeling and actions taken by them to how people of that age group behave in general. The story itself is well-knit and interesting. I remember my self reading it for 2-3 hours straight without a break, which hasn't been the case very often.
May 20, 2023
As always Erica includes interesting characters. Loved the idea of a creative writing group - and what a mixed bunch of people. Each member of the group did not have an easy home life - one having an affair, one widowed with tricky in-laws, a schoolgirl, a recent divorcé, and a cantankerous man. Liked that we got an insight into each person’s life and them coming together as a group
December 17, 2017
Not bad. Not as good as a Maeve Binchy, but not bad. If I was looking for something to read and there was an Erica James novel on the shelf I’d happily pick it up. I thought it dragged a little in places, and occasionally it all seemed a bit wooden, but overall, it was ok.
July 22, 2020
A gentle novel about a writing group and the characters that come together. Unknown but seeking inspiration and some friendship from other writers, six people of varying ages, sex and background each bring their challenges to the group.
May 26, 2021
I enjoyed the audio book very much.
Excellent narrator which is so important.
I thought characters were all interesting in their own way and liked how the story unfolded from each characters perspective. A long book which must have been difficult to draw to a close.
Excellent narrator which is so important.
I thought characters were all interesting in their own way and liked how the story unfolded from each characters perspective. A long book which must have been difficult to draw to a close.
June 16, 2017
Good read
October 14, 2017
loved the charachters...didnt want it to end
June 17, 2018
Brilliant funny light read
July 26, 2019
I liked this book very much,i just feel sorry that Victor hadn't had the chance to finish and publish his book,since I'm from north-west Macedonia( it felt kind of personal for me 😆).
Easy to read,loved the characters.
Looking forward to reading another of her books.
Easy to read,loved the characters.
Looking forward to reading another of her books.
September 12, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable. You want to know what happens to each character. Good to find a book which isn't all happy endings
October 13, 2019
This reminded me of Maeve Binchy's "Evening Class". An engaging story about people who all come together for a common purpose and find friendship and community.
November 14, 2019
I didn’t like Dulcie’s ending. But I’m a sucker for happy endings and this was NOT the one I hoped for
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews