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The Hideaway
When Claire returns home to take over her mother's renowned art gallery, she is deceived into going to The Hideaway, a erotic den of desire, where her rival is found murdered and she stands accused, and hopes that notorious bad boy-turned-cop Zach Coulter will help her prove her innocence. Original.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
April 16, 2025
This book was peak 90s. Lots of trashy drama and terrible attitudes towards rape. The hero was wonderful, the heroine was *hard* to like and at the very end when she sold out the bear I wanted to kick her in the arse. You don't sell out the fucking bear you bitch! You just don't! Fake beard reveal made me laugh so hard I scared my dog off the sofa. There was a weird bit during the weird sex tussle when we're told the hero's condom was small and 'gooey' - I did a double take at that... why?
I mean this review is a little incoherent, but really it's better that way.
I mean this review is a little incoherent, but really it's better that way.
April 5, 2025
Loved it. Lots of twist and turns.
March 26, 2014
"The Hideaway" by Meryl Sawyer is a romance/mystery with several twists and turns that will keep the reader turning the pages right up to the end. Personally, I felt several pages could have been eliminated by removing some of the unnecessary "love" scenes. I felt that the real story - the who done it part - got lost in these excessive pages. Only a personal preference here...
However, on to the meat and potatoes of the story ... Claire Holt finds herself in an embarrassing situation when she is confronted by Zach Coulter, the man with the badge. Holt and Coulter had a history, but that was a long time ago, when they were in their teens. The scandle and deaths of her mother and his father drove both the young people away from the place of their birth. Now they have returned to their roots where mystery, murder, and the unwinding of a forbidden love is revealed.
Claire is charged with a murder ... Zach tries to protect her ... Claire's father hates Zach and has his own agenda ... not everyone is who they try to appear to be ... and what of the mysterious man - the only witness who can clear Claire's name - where has he gone?
I have given The Hideaway 3 stars for two reasons - one being some of what I felt to be unnecessary to the story (as mentioned above), and two, for editing (having found several miscellaneous errors in the book). Having said this, though, The Hideaway is a good quick read for those who would love to just curl up with a book and while away a few hours.
However, on to the meat and potatoes of the story ... Claire Holt finds herself in an embarrassing situation when she is confronted by Zach Coulter, the man with the badge. Holt and Coulter had a history, but that was a long time ago, when they were in their teens. The scandle and deaths of her mother and his father drove both the young people away from the place of their birth. Now they have returned to their roots where mystery, murder, and the unwinding of a forbidden love is revealed.
Claire is charged with a murder ... Zach tries to protect her ... Claire's father hates Zach and has his own agenda ... not everyone is who they try to appear to be ... and what of the mysterious man - the only witness who can clear Claire's name - where has he gone?
I have given The Hideaway 3 stars for two reasons - one being some of what I felt to be unnecessary to the story (as mentioned above), and two, for editing (having found several miscellaneous errors in the book). Having said this, though, The Hideaway is a good quick read for those who would love to just curl up with a book and while away a few hours.
September 2, 2016
The Hideaway by Meryl Sawyer
I enjoyed this story.
The description of the book I am listing below is from the back jacket of the book. I'm adding it because I believe the one on the Goodreads page does not depict this story.
THE HIDEAWAY: DEADLY SECRETS
Claire Holt grew up privileged and protected until a family scandal drove her far away from home. Now she's returned, determined to make a new life for herself as the owner of a prestigious art gallery that once belonged to her mother. But her dream of starting over in her beloved hometown is shattered when she is tricked into going to The Hideaway, a secluded retreat dedicated to sensual pleasures. There, her arch rival is murdered and she becomes the prime suspect.
THE HIDEAWAY: FORBIDDEN LOVE
Once the town bad boy, today Zach Coulter wears a badge. Claire had been the girl he'd wanted as a young man, but she was also the rich man's daughter for whom he'd never be good enough...until the incident in The Hideaway changed their lives forever. Can she count on Zach, a man she finds herself increasingly drawn to, to help her find the one person with the power to save her - a mysterious stranger who can give her an alibi, or destroy her life?
I enjoyed this story.
The description of the book I am listing below is from the back jacket of the book. I'm adding it because I believe the one on the Goodreads page does not depict this story.
THE HIDEAWAY: DEADLY SECRETS
Claire Holt grew up privileged and protected until a family scandal drove her far away from home. Now she's returned, determined to make a new life for herself as the owner of a prestigious art gallery that once belonged to her mother. But her dream of starting over in her beloved hometown is shattered when she is tricked into going to The Hideaway, a secluded retreat dedicated to sensual pleasures. There, her arch rival is murdered and she becomes the prime suspect.
THE HIDEAWAY: FORBIDDEN LOVE
Once the town bad boy, today Zach Coulter wears a badge. Claire had been the girl he'd wanted as a young man, but she was also the rich man's daughter for whom he'd never be good enough...until the incident in The Hideaway changed their lives forever. Can she count on Zach, a man she finds herself increasingly drawn to, to help her find the one person with the power to save her - a mysterious stranger who can give her an alibi, or destroy her life?
March 23, 2016
I read The Hideaway in paperback 15+ years ago. I had discovered Meryl Sawyer and devoured everything I could find by her. The Hideaway was once of my favorite. It was just as good as I remember, now rereading it digitally. A few details date this book but it in no way takes away from the reading enjoyment.
The story of a parents’ actions hurting the children, abused animals, date rape drugs, second chances and murder. There is a lot for this story to cover but it does it well. Mostly because of the Art Gallery owner, Claire Holt and Sheriff Zach Coulter. Two characters that have an amazing chemistry and witty dialogue. The characterization has a real feel to it.
I am very glad to see books by Meryl Sawyer in an updated format. This is worth the read for suspense romance fans.
Copy provided by the publisher through Net Galley for an honest review.
The story of a parents’ actions hurting the children, abused animals, date rape drugs, second chances and murder. There is a lot for this story to cover but it does it well. Mostly because of the Art Gallery owner, Claire Holt and Sheriff Zach Coulter. Two characters that have an amazing chemistry and witty dialogue. The characterization has a real feel to it.
I am very glad to see books by Meryl Sawyer in an updated format. This is worth the read for suspense romance fans.
Copy provided by the publisher through Net Galley for an honest review.
May 31, 2015
2.5 stars
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August 28, 2017good
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews