Tuesday, September 19, 2017

The Hideaway

GIVEAWAY
DENTON, LAUREN K.
THE HIDEAWAY

When her grandmother's  will wrenches Sara back home, she knows more about Margaret Van Buren in the wake of her death than she ever knew in life.

After her last remaining family member dies, Sara Jenkins goes home to The Hideaway, her grandmother Mags's ramshackle B&B in Sweet Bay, Alabama. She intends to quickly tie up loose ends then return to her busy life and thriving antique shop in New Orleans. Instead, she learns Mags has willed The Hideaway to her and charged her with renovating it -- no small task considering her grandmother's best friends, a motley crew of senior citizens, still lives there.

Rather than hurrying back to New Orleans, Sara stays in Sweet Bay and begins the biggest house-rehabbing project of her career. Amid drywall dust, old memories, and a charming contractor; she discovers that slipping back into life at The Hideaway is easier than she expected.

Then she discovers a box Mags left in the attic with clues to a life Sara never imagined for her grandmother. With help from Mags's friends, Sara begins to piece together they mysterious life of bravery, passion, and choices that changed her grandmother's destiny in both marvelous and devastating ways.

When an opportunistic land developer threatens to seize The Hideaway, Sara is forced to make a choice -- stay in Sweet Bay and fight for the house and the people she's grown to love or leave again and return to her successful but solitary life in New Orleans.

My Review:

This debut novel has created quite a buzz and is currently #19 on Amazon's most sold list not to mention having nearly 500 reviews. The vast majority are 4 and 5 star but this book isn't without controversy so there are a number of low ratings (1 and 2 star) as well. So, what's all the fuss about?

Well, in a nutshell, this is Christian fiction pushing the limits so this book might not be for everyone. In fact, I wasn't sure about it myself and started reading with some trepidation. It wasn't long before Denton's charming Southern style captivated me. I didn't know there was such a thing as Southern Fiction, but apparently there is and The Hideaway is a prime example of all that is good in that genre.

This story is about family -- the one we are born into and the one we choose to belong to. It's real and raw -- unapologetically celebrating the lives and loves of a diverse cast of flawed characters. And, just as in real life, the author doesn't shy away from controversial subject matter. I appreciate her honesty and compassion and the fact that she moved me to dig beneath the surface about some hard-hitting issues. Sometimes it was uncomfortable -- especially Mags's story line -- but I feel like I have stretched and grown from it.

Some reviewers will say there isn't an inspirational thread. That The Hideaway is a mainstream book that just happens to have a Christian publisher. And I'll admit to agreeing with them at first. Then, somewhere around the half way mark I realized the inspiration was there, woven in an understated way throughout. It's especially evident in Mags's story. In some ways she hasn't lived an exemplary life but in her own eccentric way she has indeed been the hands and feet of Christ to so many.

There are two short church scenes -- subtle but significant. They reveal Mags's relationship with God and it really humbled me. This will sound crazy -- but I was suddenly overcome with such love and compassion for this complicated woman despite some of her past actions. I guess I stopped judging so I could actually see her as the daughter of God she is. Yes, I know she's just a character in a novel, but if I can't extend grace to fictional folk how can I ever hope to extend it to the real people in my life?

The dual timeline plot was a real draw for me. Sara, in present day, returns to The Hideaway to deal with the aftermath of her grandmother's death. In the process she learns a lot about herself and about the quirky grandmother who used to be an embarrassment when she was a teen. The reader is treated to flashbacks of Mags's life from her early twenties until her death. Past and present are exquisitely woven together into a rich tapestry of life and love, loss and hope.

I love that the B&B is called The Hideaway -- because that's what it became for Mags. It was her hiding place for a time and then it became her standing ground.  The same can be said for Sara as well. It's details like this that make The Hideaway such an exquisite read and give avid readers so much to talk about. Definitely an excellent choice for a book club read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Hideaway, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on September 24 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck! 

37 comments:

  1. This is the first I have heard of this book and since I love debut novels this is a book I would truly love to read. You have painted a great picture of what to expect with this book. Thank you for the great review.

    I would love to win this book.

    Blessings,
    Cindy W.
    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. I enjoy reading debut novels as well. Love being in at the beginning of an author's career. Good luck, Cindy.

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  2. I saw this book on a review site before it was published. I was on the fence about it because I didn't know anything about the author's writing style. After it released I followed the reviews and what a variety of them there are. Like you said, numerous people didn't consider it Christian fiction. That gave me pause. I'm honestly still thinking about it, but I love, love love your line,
    "but if I can't extend grace to fictional folk how can I ever hope to extend it to the real people in my life?"
    This is the quote of the week for me and I'll be thinking about this for days to come, and how much grace I really do extend to my real life people.
    Thanks for the thought-provoking review and object lesson in one, Kav.

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    1. This is what was so powerful for me about this story -- it really made me think about grace and how easy it is to extend it only when it feels safe to me. I do so love a story that brings me growth.

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    2. I have read a lot about this book and it has been on my wish list a very long time. Thanks for the chance to win and read it.
      cenya2 (at)hotmail (dot)com

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    3. It certainly has the cyber lines buzzing! Good luck, Marjorie.

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  3. I hadn't heard about this one yet, Kav. Sounds intriguing. Throw my name in the hat please! :)

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  4. Cool a new author. sounds like this one and another one coming out in 2018 are great reads. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Yes -- her second books sounds really intriguing too. Different and that's a good thing. Good luck, Kim.

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  5. KAV, this sounds like a soul-impacting story! Thank you for the chance.

    psalm103and138 at gmail dot com

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  6. Oh my this sounds like a good one. Count me in becci43atgmaildotcom

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  7. I have noticed this cover but never learned anything about the book. Thanks for the review. I would love to win a copy. paulams49ATsbcglobalDOTnet

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  8. this sounds wonderful. all the details that must be in it. and life is so full of choices to be made
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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    1. It's a compelling read for sure. Good luck, Lori.

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  9. The cover was what first attracted me to this book so it's been on my "want to read" list for awhile. I'm always on the lookout for a good book for my book club to read and discuss. Even though some books are great to read, they don't always lend themselves to group discussion. Thanks for letting us know that The Hideaway would be a good choice.
    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. There is lots to discuss about this book, Pam. Lots and lots and lots. It would make for quite an animated evening, I think. Good luck.

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  10. Would love to read this one. And, yes, there was a whole lot of buzz about it when it was released. Need to read it myself though to see if I agree with the buzz.

    mindyhoung AT msn DOT com

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    1. It certainly has created a stir, hasn't it? Good luck, Mindy.

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  11. Don't enter me for this one, Kav. I already own it. :-)

    I purchased this book within a couple of weeks of its release after researching the author and her blog. I was moved by her blog posts and wasn't worried at all about the fuss some were making. I'm okay with subtleties, if I'm aware of it beforehand and don't have different expectations. I love your unbiased and fair review. Thank you for giving it a chance. I look forward to finally digging into this one.

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    1. I'll have to check out her blogs. You certainly know how to do your author research, Terrill. I'll be interested to hear what you think of The Hideaway once you've read it.

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  12. Hmmmm, now I am intrigued. I wonder what makes it push boundaries so much. I think of my own life and some things I went through and if someone wrote about my life how I would feel and others would view it. Definitely interested!

    LLWALTZ [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. Interesting thoughts, Laura. That's why this book would make such a great book club selection -- so many starting points for discussion. Good luck!

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  13. This book sounds really good. Thanks for sharing Lauren's work with us and introducing her to us. 😃
    Thank you for the chance to win.
    iamabho atgmaildot com 😀

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    1. You're welcome, Linda. I love discovering new and new-to-me authors and then sharing the good news. :-) Good luck.

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    2. Thanks for all the great giveaways

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  14. I own this book but I'm moving it up on my TBR list after reading your review, Kav. Don't enter me. Thanks!

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  15. I'd love to read this. Sounds the debut author definitely knows her stuff if she is already #19 on the Amazon list!
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  16. On my wish list, so I'm wishing. 😊
    leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com

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  17. This cover is beautiful. It makes me long for a Charleston weekend!
    Dianna (dedezoomsalot at yahoo dot com)

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