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The Hidden Years
'A dramatic, warm-hearted, wonderfully written read.' DAILY MAIL
'Gorgeous ' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
' A gripping read' HELLO!
Sunday Times bestseller Rachel Hore’s captivating new novel of secrets, loss and betrayal - set on the beautiful Cornish coast during World War Two and the heady days of the 1960s.
When talented musician Gray Robinson persuades Belle to abandon her university studies and follow him to Silverwood, home to an artistic community on the Cornish coast, Belle happily agrees even though they’ve only just met. She knows she is falling in love, and the thought of spending a carefree summer with Gray is all she can think about.
But being with Gray isn’t the only reason Belle agrees to accompany him to Silverwood.
Why does the name Silverwood sound so familiar?
What is its connection to a photo of her as a baby, taken on a nearby beach?
And who is Imogen Lockhart, a wartime nurse who lived at Silverwood many years ago?
As the summer months unfold, Belle begins to learn the truth – about secrets from the past that have been kept hidden, but also about the person she wants to be.
Praise for The Hidden Years
'A glorious story, The Hidden Years steals your heart. I loved it!' LIZ FENWICK
' Gripping and beautifully written' KATE FURNIVALL
'An intriguing dual timeline story set in beautiful Cornwall and brimming with sense of place. A gorgeous tale, I raced through the pages!'
TRACY REES
'Gorgeous ' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
' A gripping read' HELLO!
Sunday Times bestseller Rachel Hore’s captivating new novel of secrets, loss and betrayal - set on the beautiful Cornish coast during World War Two and the heady days of the 1960s.
When talented musician Gray Robinson persuades Belle to abandon her university studies and follow him to Silverwood, home to an artistic community on the Cornish coast, Belle happily agrees even though they’ve only just met. She knows she is falling in love, and the thought of spending a carefree summer with Gray is all she can think about.
But being with Gray isn’t the only reason Belle agrees to accompany him to Silverwood.
Why does the name Silverwood sound so familiar?
What is its connection to a photo of her as a baby, taken on a nearby beach?
And who is Imogen Lockhart, a wartime nurse who lived at Silverwood many years ago?
As the summer months unfold, Belle begins to learn the truth – about secrets from the past that have been kept hidden, but also about the person she wants to be.
Praise for The Hidden Years
'A glorious story, The Hidden Years steals your heart. I loved it!' LIZ FENWICK
' Gripping and beautifully written' KATE FURNIVALL
'An intriguing dual timeline story set in beautiful Cornwall and brimming with sense of place. A gorgeous tale, I raced through the pages!'
TRACY REES
496 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2023
160 people are currently reading
729 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Hore
38 books746 followersRachel Hore worked in London publishing for many years before moving with her family to Norwich, Norfolk and turning to writing fiction.
Rachel is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Dream House (2006), The Memory Garden (2007), The Glass Painter's Daughter (2009), which was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Novel of the Year 2010, A Place of Secrets (2010), which was a Richard and Judy Bookclub pick, and A Gathering Storm (2011), which was shortlisted for the RNA Historical Novel of the year, 2012. The Silent Tide was published in 2013, A Week in Paris in 2014 and The House on Bellevue Gardens in 2015.
Her new novel, Last Letter Home, will be published on 22nd March 2018.
Rachel is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Dream House (2006), The Memory Garden (2007), The Glass Painter's Daughter (2009), which was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Novel of the Year 2010, A Place of Secrets (2010), which was a Richard and Judy Bookclub pick, and A Gathering Storm (2011), which was shortlisted for the RNA Historical Novel of the year, 2012. The Silent Tide was published in 2013, A Week in Paris in 2014 and The House on Bellevue Gardens in 2015.
Her new novel, Last Letter Home, will be published on 22nd March 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
January 13, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author is so talented that she creates two story lines , one from the 1940s and one from 1966 , and both are good enough to stand alone. Inevitably the 2 stories meet but the flow of the book is not interrupted. I did not necessarily like all of the characters but they are strong and memorable. They appear to be normal people with flaws and challenges and have enough depth to be believable.
April 4, 2024
Easy going read not normally a type of book would read
Read
June 10, 2023This is a glorious story that steals your heart. I loved it.
July 22, 2025
Started and finished date - 17.07.25 to 20.07.25.
My rating - Three Stars.
This book was okay but I didn't love it and I found it bit boring also I think people who like wait for Me by Santa Montefiore or the last song of winter by Lulu Taylor may like is book. The writing was okay but nothing special and easy to follow also the ending was okay. The atmosphere was fine. The paced of plot was well structured and steady paced. The characters was okay and they needed to flash out bit more.
My rating - Three Stars.
This book was okay but I didn't love it and I found it bit boring also I think people who like wait for Me by Santa Montefiore or the last song of winter by Lulu Taylor may like is book. The writing was okay but nothing special and easy to follow also the ending was okay. The atmosphere was fine. The paced of plot was well structured and steady paced. The characters was okay and they needed to flash out bit more.
Read
August 7, 2023I always enjoy reading Rachel Hore books and I was delighted to receive a copy of her new book The Hidden Years.
This is a duel timetable Story which I enjoyed.
In 1939 Imogen has escorted two young boys to a boarding school and stays to work there for a short time. She then decides to train as a nurse to help the war effort.
In 1966 Belle a university studied falls for a young handsome singer and drops everything to travel with him to Silverwood a commune for the summer.
Thank to yo NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a duel timetable Story which I enjoyed.
In 1939 Imogen has escorted two young boys to a boarding school and stays to work there for a short time. She then decides to train as a nurse to help the war effort.
In 1966 Belle a university studied falls for a young handsome singer and drops everything to travel with him to Silverwood a commune for the summer.
Thank to yo NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 7, 2023
I’ve read and enjoyed this author’s books before, so had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately it wasn’t one of my favourites, even though it was well written. I felt the pace was slow and the 1960s part of the plot just didn’t feel believable. The coincidences needed for Belle to arrive in exactly the right place and to look exactly as she does, and for Mrs Kitto to tell the story in the way that she does, stretched my credulity a bit too far. I didn’t like the characters much in that part either. The outcome with Francis made me roll my eyes as just a tad too convenient.
However, I did enjoy Imogen’s story a great deal. To be honest I’d have enjoyed the book more if it had only been about Imogen, rather than the dual timeline narrative. She was a great character and I enjoyed the historical details of her life and career in the WWII parts of the book. Rachel Hore’s beautiful descriptions of Cornwall gave me a real sense of place, too.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. It contained a lot of typos but will hopefully be proofread before publication. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the book.
However, I did enjoy Imogen’s story a great deal. To be honest I’d have enjoyed the book more if it had only been about Imogen, rather than the dual timeline narrative. She was a great character and I enjoyed the historical details of her life and career in the WWII parts of the book. Rachel Hore’s beautiful descriptions of Cornwall gave me a real sense of place, too.
I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. It contained a lot of typos but will hopefully be proofread before publication. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2023
I gave up on this book half way through. I didn’t care about the characters and found the dual time line pointless.
June 12, 2024
It started off ok, but I felt there was nothing new in it.
August 29, 2023
The Hidden Years captures the essence of what makes Rachel Hore's books so enchanting for me. The story has intriguing characters and a charming narrative that seamlessly weaves drama and intrigue without becoming overwhelming. The book employs dual timelines to gradually unveil the secrets of a family, a place and two very different eras.
The narrative gracefully shifts between these two pivotal periods. During the 1960s, we follow Belle's journey as she breaks away from her university life to embrace a communal existence with her (very new!) musician boyfriend, Gray. Meanwhile, the backdrop of World War 2 introduces Imogen, who unexpectedly finds herself appointed as the matron of a boys' school that has been relocated to Cornwall due to the war. As the stories of Belle and Imogen unfold, the threads connecting their narratives and characters become increasingly evident and compelling.
One of the novel's standout qualities is its setting. Cornwall is a vibrant, palpable character in its own right. The historical backdrop of wartime Cornwall contributes an extra layer of depth, and adds extra details from an era I find fascinating. Despite the inherent challenges of a wartime setting, including the inevitability of death and destruction, the book manages to balance these details well with the everyday lives of its characters, and the plot never feels overwhelming or overly depressing.
While some plot elements may lean toward convenience, they don't detract from the overall enjoyment of this well-crafted book. The Hidden Years is a testament to Hore's skilful writing - if you fancy something enjoyable and relaxing, this is a great option.
The narrative gracefully shifts between these two pivotal periods. During the 1960s, we follow Belle's journey as she breaks away from her university life to embrace a communal existence with her (very new!) musician boyfriend, Gray. Meanwhile, the backdrop of World War 2 introduces Imogen, who unexpectedly finds herself appointed as the matron of a boys' school that has been relocated to Cornwall due to the war. As the stories of Belle and Imogen unfold, the threads connecting their narratives and characters become increasingly evident and compelling.
One of the novel's standout qualities is its setting. Cornwall is a vibrant, palpable character in its own right. The historical backdrop of wartime Cornwall contributes an extra layer of depth, and adds extra details from an era I find fascinating. Despite the inherent challenges of a wartime setting, including the inevitability of death and destruction, the book manages to balance these details well with the everyday lives of its characters, and the plot never feels overwhelming or overly depressing.
While some plot elements may lean toward convenience, they don't detract from the overall enjoyment of this well-crafted book. The Hidden Years is a testament to Hore's skilful writing - if you fancy something enjoyable and relaxing, this is a great option.
February 20, 2024
The Hidden Story is a fantastic historical novel written in a dual timeline. The first timeline takes place in 1966 and follows young Belle who is reading English at Uni when she meets the talented and mesmerizing Grey. Grey and Belle instantly connect and Grey invites Belle to join him for the summer at Silverwood, a small commune that lives off the grid. Belle is intrigued and the name of this small Cornish area is familiar to her from a mysterious picture of her as a baby. At Silverwood, Belle and Grey grow closer and each learns more about themselves, their fears, their ideals and their strengths.
The second timeline takes place during The Second World War, and it follows the story of Imogen Lockhard, a young woman who finds herself as Matron at a boarding school for boys. Imogen is a strong minded and determined young woman who trains to become a nurse and do her part in the war.
Belle learns Imogen’s story while at Silverwood and becomes mesmerised and drawn to this mystery woman she has never met. The two stories are told in parallel and we slowly learn how they come to intersect.
I loved the writing, the setting and the ending of this moving and gripping novel. I had tears in my eyes at the end, when Belle finally learnt the truth that had eluded her during her formative years. I also like the other characters, some more than others, but they were all flawed humans who tried their best and who wanted to find their place in the world. I felt like they all tried their best to live life according to personal goals and ideals, and sometimes selfishly some did not care how their actions impacted those around them.
The second timeline takes place during The Second World War, and it follows the story of Imogen Lockhard, a young woman who finds herself as Matron at a boarding school for boys. Imogen is a strong minded and determined young woman who trains to become a nurse and do her part in the war.
Belle learns Imogen’s story while at Silverwood and becomes mesmerised and drawn to this mystery woman she has never met. The two stories are told in parallel and we slowly learn how they come to intersect.
I loved the writing, the setting and the ending of this moving and gripping novel. I had tears in my eyes at the end, when Belle finally learnt the truth that had eluded her during her formative years. I also like the other characters, some more than others, but they were all flawed humans who tried their best and who wanted to find their place in the world. I felt like they all tried their best to live life according to personal goals and ideals, and sometimes selfishly some did not care how their actions impacted those around them.
April 12, 2024
I have now read, including this one, eight novels by Rachel Hore and looking back on those earlier reads it seems I enjoy her writing more nowadays. It was back in 2009 I first read one, so I guess we have both matured somewhat since then, both in writing style for her and taste for me. As with many of her novels, 'The Hidden Years’ is dual narrative and the author was originally inspired by a photograph of pupils from her father's old school , which was evacuated from Kent to Cornwall during the Second World War.
The novel is set during WWII and the sixties in Cornwall with Silverwood a fictional house being the link between the two eras. It is 1939 and Imogen has the task of escorting two young boys to their boarding school which has been evacuated to Cornwall. Her life changes when she decides to accept a post there and not return home. In the nineteen sixties part of the story the house has become a commune to which Belle has travelled with her boyfriend. As the two stories progress the connections become more and more fascinating and as the reader I wanted to know the outcome of this compelling novel.
Once again Rachel Hore has written a captivating story which I recommended to those readers that enjoy historical novels with plenty of secrets to be uncovered.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
The novel is set during WWII and the sixties in Cornwall with Silverwood a fictional house being the link between the two eras. It is 1939 and Imogen has the task of escorting two young boys to their boarding school which has been evacuated to Cornwall. Her life changes when she decides to accept a post there and not return home. In the nineteen sixties part of the story the house has become a commune to which Belle has travelled with her boyfriend. As the two stories progress the connections become more and more fascinating and as the reader I wanted to know the outcome of this compelling novel.
Once again Rachel Hore has written a captivating story which I recommended to those readers that enjoy historical novels with plenty of secrets to be uncovered.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
November 16, 2024
I found two time lines to be quite refreshing to the usual ones as it was a storyline set in the 1940s and also in the 1960s, rather than the modern day as we know it.
I found the 1960s storyline to be as equally compelling as the 1940s one. For once we have characters who are young enough to recall their past and do something about it. Belle and her story set in 1960s Silverwood was much more interesting then it would have been in todays world. They touch a little bit on sustainable living etc.
It did start to drag on a bit and I struggled to finish it the last quarter of the book even though I read the first chunk in a couple of days.
The representation of David aka Oliver was well done too and I could relate to him and Imogen in some aspects. Their dynamic was really interesting throughout.
I found the 1960s storyline to be as equally compelling as the 1940s one. For once we have characters who are young enough to recall their past and do something about it. Belle and her story set in 1960s Silverwood was much more interesting then it would have been in todays world. They touch a little bit on sustainable living etc.
It did start to drag on a bit and I struggled to finish it the last quarter of the book even though I read the first chunk in a couple of days.
The representation of David aka Oliver was well done too and I could relate to him and Imogen in some aspects. Their dynamic was really interesting throughout.
February 2, 2025
It's hard for me to rate this book. I'm giving it a 3 star based on how I felt when I finished the book but in terms of overall enjoyment I would say 4 star.
The Cornish setting was lovely to read, some of the scenes are vivid and rememberable. I enjoyed the nostalgia of the 2 timelines.
Overall it's quite cheesy but that's what I liked about it (an easy read, light hearted).
What I found disappointing was that a sense of mystery was building throughout and it didn't really come to much. For example we are lead to be a bit suspicious of some characters/ situations but they turn out to come to nothing.
The Cornish setting was lovely to read, some of the scenes are vivid and rememberable. I enjoyed the nostalgia of the 2 timelines.
Overall it's quite cheesy but that's what I liked about it (an easy read, light hearted).
What I found disappointing was that a sense of mystery was building throughout and it didn't really come to much. For example we are lead to be a bit suspicious of some characters/ situations but they turn out to come to nothing.
September 25, 2023
Just wonderful. One of the authors best yet.
The story really draws you in and I cared so much about the characters as the author cleverly weaves past and present to reveal what happened . The Cornish setting was a bonus ! Listened on audible - narration was perfect !
The story really draws you in and I cared so much about the characters as the author cleverly weaves past and present to reveal what happened . The Cornish setting was a bonus ! Listened on audible - narration was perfect !
May 5, 2024
I enjoy reading books set in a different time period and this was set in two,the 1940's and 1960's.
I thought this story was well written,the main characters Imogen and Belle I liked but there were a couple I found annoying. A lovely story ,definitely worth reading.
I thought this story was well written,the main characters Imogen and Belle I liked but there were a couple I found annoying. A lovely story ,definitely worth reading.
November 18, 2023
4.5 - very enjoyable read, worth getting it shipped from the UK!
June 22, 2025
I loved this book so much! It was a wild ride. Honestly if you told me this was written actually during the war/ post war I would have believed you. So so good
November 28, 2025
I enjoyed this book overall. I found the 1960s parts unnerving and a little unbelievable to be honest...those sections felt more like a crime novel! I was certain that Belle was unsafe 😂 I enjoyed Imogen's story immensely and loved finding out the outcome for her.
September 8, 2025
Great double timeline with a few twists!
February 27, 2024
It’s my stop today on the Random Things blog tour for Rachel Hore’s The Hidden Years
Any novel set in Cornwall and I'm all in!
Ever since I first visited the county as a child and devoured every Du Maurier book, I now seek out novels with Cornwall as a back drop.
So I jumped at the chance to read and review The Hidden Years by Rachel Hore as part of the Blog Tour with Random Things.
The Hidden Years has just been released in paperback and its gorgeous cover jumps off the bookshelves.
It's gorgeous on the inside too!
From its attractive pastel shades of a lonely lighthouse, a salmon pink sky and warm teal sea to its dual timeline, skipping between the hippy life of the 1960s and wartime Britain in the 1940s, this novel instantly has huge bookshelf appeal.
You are firstly invited into the story of Belle, a university student who is whisked off her feet by the charismatic musician Gray Robinson. As the summer calls, she throws caution to the wind and travels with him to an artist's commune in Cornwall, known as Silverwood. It is here she feels a shadow of her past. What is her connection with this place?
We are then taken back to 1939 and meet Imogen Lockhart, who is working for a Mother's Helper agency. She has been charged with escorting two children from the possible dangers brewing in Kent at the outbreak of World War II to the apparent safety of Cornwall. Their prep school has been relocated to a country pile called....Silverwood.
How are the stories of these two young women connected?
Why is Silverwood familiar to Belle and what secrets is she about to uncover?
Hore's novel is perfectly poised, the characters established and the backdrop beautifully and nostalgically described within the first 100 pages or so of this 485 page novel.
This propels the reader on, intrigued as much as Belle to uncover the secrets Silverwood is hiding.
References to handpainted flowers, covering the sides of a campervan, screams hippy and is an example of how Hore creates atmosphere. She adds depth and tone to the era as she describes how those who stay at Silverwood live 'away from the evils of the capitalist system'.
The horrors of war are equally described, when we jump back to 1939, as bombs drop on The Royal Cornwall hospital where Imogen is now a nurse and on duty.
It's hard to imagine this beautiful County on the tip of England having to face the atrocities witnessed in London during the Blitz, as well as other major British cities. Hore's research into this shines through.
I have visited both Kynance and Trebah Gardens where the Americans were stationed and prepared for D-Day. Hore has accurately evoked both settings within this novel, allowing the reader to visit them in their imagination as clearly as if they were there.
Both female protagonists are vividly brought to life and you find yourself wanting the best for them both. Belle is finding her voice, metaphorically and quite literally. Imogen is finding her calling when the nation needs all the help it can get to fight for freedom and peace.
With time hops back and fro, Belle begins to uncover more of Imogen's life via the compassionate Mrs Kitto who resides in a cottage on the Silverwood estate. This teases of the connection between Belle and Imogen and intrigues the reader. Hints begin to gather pace and the mysteries of Belle's childhood start to fall into place: who is the baby in the arms of the beautiful young woman on the beach at Kynance? What was the 'truth' she should be told, after she overheard a conversation on her sixteenth birthday, between her Mother and her Aunt?
We are also on a journey with Belle. What does she really want from her life as she learns of Imogen's?
As the story reaches its climax those hidden years fall away. What does the truth mean to Belle's future?
A heart-warming saga perfectly unravels across this time hopping story.
It tells of broken hearts, of endurance and the resilience of those who faced the horrors of war and its effects on the living thereafter. It is also a story of hope, of finding the courage to walk your own path, of how the secrets of the past can help you to forge a future.
Any novel set in Cornwall and I'm all in!
Ever since I first visited the county as a child and devoured every Du Maurier book, I now seek out novels with Cornwall as a back drop.
So I jumped at the chance to read and review The Hidden Years by Rachel Hore as part of the Blog Tour with Random Things.
The Hidden Years has just been released in paperback and its gorgeous cover jumps off the bookshelves.
It's gorgeous on the inside too!
From its attractive pastel shades of a lonely lighthouse, a salmon pink sky and warm teal sea to its dual timeline, skipping between the hippy life of the 1960s and wartime Britain in the 1940s, this novel instantly has huge bookshelf appeal.
You are firstly invited into the story of Belle, a university student who is whisked off her feet by the charismatic musician Gray Robinson. As the summer calls, she throws caution to the wind and travels with him to an artist's commune in Cornwall, known as Silverwood. It is here she feels a shadow of her past. What is her connection with this place?
We are then taken back to 1939 and meet Imogen Lockhart, who is working for a Mother's Helper agency. She has been charged with escorting two children from the possible dangers brewing in Kent at the outbreak of World War II to the apparent safety of Cornwall. Their prep school has been relocated to a country pile called....Silverwood.
How are the stories of these two young women connected?
Why is Silverwood familiar to Belle and what secrets is she about to uncover?
Hore's novel is perfectly poised, the characters established and the backdrop beautifully and nostalgically described within the first 100 pages or so of this 485 page novel.
This propels the reader on, intrigued as much as Belle to uncover the secrets Silverwood is hiding.
References to handpainted flowers, covering the sides of a campervan, screams hippy and is an example of how Hore creates atmosphere. She adds depth and tone to the era as she describes how those who stay at Silverwood live 'away from the evils of the capitalist system'.
The horrors of war are equally described, when we jump back to 1939, as bombs drop on The Royal Cornwall hospital where Imogen is now a nurse and on duty.
It's hard to imagine this beautiful County on the tip of England having to face the atrocities witnessed in London during the Blitz, as well as other major British cities. Hore's research into this shines through.
I have visited both Kynance and Trebah Gardens where the Americans were stationed and prepared for D-Day. Hore has accurately evoked both settings within this novel, allowing the reader to visit them in their imagination as clearly as if they were there.
Both female protagonists are vividly brought to life and you find yourself wanting the best for them both. Belle is finding her voice, metaphorically and quite literally. Imogen is finding her calling when the nation needs all the help it can get to fight for freedom and peace.
With time hops back and fro, Belle begins to uncover more of Imogen's life via the compassionate Mrs Kitto who resides in a cottage on the Silverwood estate. This teases of the connection between Belle and Imogen and intrigues the reader. Hints begin to gather pace and the mysteries of Belle's childhood start to fall into place: who is the baby in the arms of the beautiful young woman on the beach at Kynance? What was the 'truth' she should be told, after she overheard a conversation on her sixteenth birthday, between her Mother and her Aunt?
We are also on a journey with Belle. What does she really want from her life as she learns of Imogen's?
As the story reaches its climax those hidden years fall away. What does the truth mean to Belle's future?
A heart-warming saga perfectly unravels across this time hopping story.
It tells of broken hearts, of endurance and the resilience of those who faced the horrors of war and its effects on the living thereafter. It is also a story of hope, of finding the courage to walk your own path, of how the secrets of the past can help you to forge a future.
May 6, 2024
this served AI generated, day time movie and not in a funny way. what a waste of the past month of my life
May 20, 2023
This was a delightful dual timescale read set during the Second World War when Imogen finds hers unexpectedly working at Silverwood, a house in Cornwall that has been converted into a boarding school, and then in the sixties Belle finds herself compelled to stay at Silverwood with her new boyfriend Gray. The two women’s experiences are so very different and it was fascinating to see how Imogen who was restless before Silverwood found herself with purpose yet Belle had a solid life prior to Silverwood but needed to understand it’s history to consider her own options. The characters were so different during each time period too but it made for some interesting relationships and revelations.
April 15, 2024
The story follows a university student in the 60s as she abandons her studies to follow a musician to the Cornish coast for a relaxed summer. Once Belle arrives to Silverwood she has a sense of familiarity and finds baby photos of her at the local beach.
We then begin a dual timeline back to the 1940s where Silverwood was rather a boarding school in the war with matron Imogen training to be a nurse. The link between Imogen and Belle is at the centre of the story but there’s also sub-plots which I enjoyed, particularly around all of the other Silverwood creative residents.
Slightly slow at times, but well written and warm hearted.
We then begin a dual timeline back to the 1940s where Silverwood was rather a boarding school in the war with matron Imogen training to be a nurse. The link between Imogen and Belle is at the centre of the story but there’s also sub-plots which I enjoyed, particularly around all of the other Silverwood creative residents.
Slightly slow at times, but well written and warm hearted.
April 28, 2024
This is the worst book I have read since finding my hobby of reading. This book has no story to it whatsoever, I couldn’t even finish it. That’s the last time I spontaneously grab a book in Tesco 😂
July 12, 2024
SPOILERS DO NOT READ THIS STOP READING THIS RIGHT NOW GO READ THE BOOK FIRST PLEASE.
I randomly picked up this book in my local tesco as a holiday read by the pool, I started it with no expectations and oh my gosh. This is the first ever book that had me thinking about the characters and the plot outside of reading it. The dual timescale was so interesting as the 1940s and 60s are one of my favourite time periods in media. The characters felt so real due to the immense amount of detail I loved learning about them throughout the book. I grew particularly fond of Imogen and belle as they were the protagonists and my jaw dropped at the plot twist, I was also so upset at her passing WHICH IS WAS READING AT THE BEACH ABOUT RIGHT AFTER GOING DEEP INTO THE WATER. I had my suspicions are first and thought possibly Sirius could be belles father when I found out he had three children but that was proved wrong. Also found it kind of gross that chouli was supposedly not much older than belle but was pregnant with Sirius child while he’s in his 30s? Arlo was also a confusing character I wonder why he wrote belles name down in his book with a question mark… is it because he wasn’t fond of her? He didn’t have a reason to which was confusing, I guess she was snooping about though. Also rain and the ceremony WHAT the heck was that about I wish it was revealed but I’m glad Angel is now safe and properly enrolled into school.
Anyway I’m sad now because I won’t have such a good read for another while this is the PERFECT summer read for anyone that is bored of stupid romance summer books
I randomly picked up this book in my local tesco as a holiday read by the pool, I started it with no expectations and oh my gosh. This is the first ever book that had me thinking about the characters and the plot outside of reading it. The dual timescale was so interesting as the 1940s and 60s are one of my favourite time periods in media. The characters felt so real due to the immense amount of detail I loved learning about them throughout the book. I grew particularly fond of Imogen and belle as they were the protagonists and my jaw dropped at the plot twist, I was also so upset at her passing WHICH IS WAS READING AT THE BEACH ABOUT RIGHT AFTER GOING DEEP INTO THE WATER. I had my suspicions are first and thought possibly Sirius could be belles father when I found out he had three children but that was proved wrong. Also found it kind of gross that chouli was supposedly not much older than belle but was pregnant with Sirius child while he’s in his 30s? Arlo was also a confusing character I wonder why he wrote belles name down in his book with a question mark… is it because he wasn’t fond of her? He didn’t have a reason to which was confusing, I guess she was snooping about though. Also rain and the ceremony WHAT the heck was that about I wish it was revealed but I’m glad Angel is now safe and properly enrolled into school.
Anyway I’m sad now because I won’t have such a good read for another while this is the PERFECT summer read for anyone that is bored of stupid romance summer books
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2024
Thanks to Anne at Random Things Tour and Simon and Schulster for allowing me to take part in the blog tour for this book
This novel travels expertly through time, switching between the 1940s and 1966. As the two stories interweave, it becomes obvious the connection between Belle and Imogen. However, that doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the story. Cornwall is described in a beautiful way, and made me vow to go visit that part of the country at some point in the future. The events of Imogen’s life at Silverwood and as a nurse are expertly painted. As is the artistic community of Silverwood in the 1960s and how their way of life is different from what Belle is used to. I did find Imogen’s story more interesting, as it took place over a 9 year period and a lot of incidents happened, as opposed to Belle’s only taking place over a few weeks. I also found myself disagreeing with the commune’s ideals and disliked some of the characters that lived at Silverwood in 1966. I think this was intended by Hore to highlight how Belle also opposed their way of thinking and behaving.
The novel is a long one and it is filled with a lot of details that slow it down at times; however, I think that is due to Hore adding a lot into the story to make the timelines more realistic. At heart, the 1940s storyline is a love triangle that takes a while to set up. It also delves into depression and possible PTSD from a soldier’s point of view and how it can affect their marriage after world war 2 has ended. I would have liked to have seen more of this, but I suspect it would have added more to length of the novel.
I enjoyed this novel and will look into reading something by Hore in the future.
This novel travels expertly through time, switching between the 1940s and 1966. As the two stories interweave, it becomes obvious the connection between Belle and Imogen. However, that doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the story. Cornwall is described in a beautiful way, and made me vow to go visit that part of the country at some point in the future. The events of Imogen’s life at Silverwood and as a nurse are expertly painted. As is the artistic community of Silverwood in the 1960s and how their way of life is different from what Belle is used to. I did find Imogen’s story more interesting, as it took place over a 9 year period and a lot of incidents happened, as opposed to Belle’s only taking place over a few weeks. I also found myself disagreeing with the commune’s ideals and disliked some of the characters that lived at Silverwood in 1966. I think this was intended by Hore to highlight how Belle also opposed their way of thinking and behaving.
The novel is a long one and it is filled with a lot of details that slow it down at times; however, I think that is due to Hore adding a lot into the story to make the timelines more realistic. At heart, the 1940s storyline is a love triangle that takes a while to set up. It also delves into depression and possible PTSD from a soldier’s point of view and how it can affect their marriage after world war 2 has ended. I would have liked to have seen more of this, but I suspect it would have added more to length of the novel.
I enjoyed this novel and will look into reading something by Hore in the future.
September 16, 2023
The cover of The Hidden Years, the new book from Rachel Hore, is so vivid and inviting and the further you delve into the story the more significance said cover has. In fact, by the end of the story I realised just how clever the cover truly was. The story is told in a dual time-line format which I always love. The plot moves back and forth between Belle in the late 1960’s and Imogen during the years of World War Two and it does so effortlessly. Although I will admit it took longer for me to get into the 1960’s plot and overall I think I preferred the sections set during the war years but of course I do understand the importance of the slightly more modern aspect of the story.
Throughout the story one question was at the forefront of my mind, what links the two strands of the story or was there indeed any link between the two? There were tantalising clues and titbits provided by the author but I found myself grasping at straws never quite able to hit the nail on the head. So I was delighted when there was a real twist towards the end that had me reeling. I love when that happens, that when you think perhaps you have things sussed out and then boom with one sentence the author takes you off in a completely different direction.
June 1966 and Belle Johnson is 19 and reading English at Darbyfield University. This should be the best time of her life but she is not happy and enjoying the course as she should be and instantly I felt an air of despondency surrounding her regarding what she had chosen to do. Summer is just around the corner and she has one exam left to do but a chance meeting with musician/singer Gray on a night out sees her revaluating everything and throwing caution to the wind and escaping the university for Cornwall. Gray seems to cast a spell over Belle. She has only known him for a week but the sensible and practical side of her has gone out the window. As she mentions, he came into her life so suddenly and with force and it was as if he was dragging her along with him but in reality it was the perfect escapist that she needed.
Gray had such a laid-back nature and is completely unlike anyone that she has ever encountered before. He is going to Silverwood, a small estate in Cornwall, where a commune of sorts has been established. He wants peace and quiet to write songs and perhaps to do some gigs where Belle could sing too. Belle is along for the ride but perhaps there is something deep down that is drawing her to Silverwood and with fate giving her an opportunity perhaps now is the perfect moment in time to explore this thought stirring with in her. A sense of recognition becomes ever more prominent within her but what could she possibly have to do with Silverwood as it has never been mentioned in her family home before. There is a strong sense of time and place in the writing when detailing Silverwood and its surrounding areas. It’s like it has been frozen in time with its tranquil and creative environment. People live there in harmony away from the evils of the capitalist system. They make their own clothes, grow their own food, live off grid and try to be as self sufficient as possible.
It all sounds wonderful you may be thinking but I could sense undercurrents of unease amongst the few that reside there and that their ideal is not all it’s cracked up to be with some shouldering the burden of running Silverwood more so than others. Rain is the leader and she has a young son Angel. Janey, Arlo, Sirus, Chouli and Arlo are also there. Arlo is the nephew of the owner who resides somewhere else so they are free to go about their lives in whichever manner they wish. Belle finds it strange to adjust to a completely different way of life but the thoughts of a carefree summer with Gray spurs her on. Back in her family home Belle had discovered a picture of her being held as a baby by a woman on a Cornish beach which had been hidden within a guidebook. She had always felt on edge with her parents that she was walking on a tightrope that was fraying and one day she would be sent tumbling. She has lots of questions especially since the discovery of the image but is reluctant to question her parents but needless to say she has doubts about things and does want to investigate further? Will Silverwood and the people she meets there give her the answers she seeks and if so will she be pleased or horrified ? As Belle meets someone who starts to tell her a story she begins to learn a lot more than she bargained for.
Every chapter or so the story weaves effortlessly back and forth between Belle and Imogen and as I have previously said it was Imogen’s aspect of the storyline which held my attention the most. Perhaps because it was set during a time period which I love reading about but also because she seemed a bit more of a relatable character than Belle in my mind. Imogen works for the Mother’s Little Helpers Agency and is tasked with bringing two young boys to their school in Cornwall which has recently relocated from London due to the bombings. The school now occupies Silverwood and straight away I thought ah now we know what Silverwood was used for many years ago. Imogen is asked to stay on as matron and this period is extended when the permeant matron returns. Imogen is kind and caring. She is happy in the school environment and the beautiful countryside that surrounds it and she has made many friends including teachers Ned and Oliver. Despite the troubles of war that surrounded them the school was a safe haven and I think Imogen grew into a different person when she was there. I think she was permitted certain freedoms which she hadn’t had before and in this way it allowed her to become close to members of the opposite sex and explore some romance.
I enjoyed reading of Imogen’s time at the school and she decides she wishes to pursue nursing as full-time career. Here is where the war really started to take a more dominant role in Imogen’s life and I was enthralled by her story but always at the back of my mind niggling away was the question. What was the connection between the two timelines? In the 1940’s the author is showing how people were affected by the war and that men that feature in the story, one in particular are profoundly changed by their experiences which does go on to have consequences much later on. In the 1960’s it’s the complete opposite to what Imogen went through especially during her nursing in London. For Belle there was a bohemian lifestyle in a tumbledown house with no threat of war although there was a shadow in her life which she couldn’t shake and until she discovered the truth she would always be restless and uncomfortable with aspects of her life.
To be honest I thought I had things worked out as to the connection as it all seemed so straight forward, but that delicious twist appeared. It made me actually want to stop reading and go back to the start again as I knew I would look more closely at things and most certainly view things in a different light. But I resisted this because the end was calling my name and that point of reveal was upon me and it was brilliant to have such a twist that in fact had kept me guessing. The ending was deeply satisfying and made so much sense but at the same time it was so bittersweet. All in all, The Hidden Years was a thoroughly enjoyable read and one which I flew through in a day or two because once I started reading I just wanted to read huge chunks of it at a time.This was a gorgeous, atmospheric read with a slow and leisurely pace which builds to a rewarding conclusion.
Throughout the story one question was at the forefront of my mind, what links the two strands of the story or was there indeed any link between the two? There were tantalising clues and titbits provided by the author but I found myself grasping at straws never quite able to hit the nail on the head. So I was delighted when there was a real twist towards the end that had me reeling. I love when that happens, that when you think perhaps you have things sussed out and then boom with one sentence the author takes you off in a completely different direction.
June 1966 and Belle Johnson is 19 and reading English at Darbyfield University. This should be the best time of her life but she is not happy and enjoying the course as she should be and instantly I felt an air of despondency surrounding her regarding what she had chosen to do. Summer is just around the corner and she has one exam left to do but a chance meeting with musician/singer Gray on a night out sees her revaluating everything and throwing caution to the wind and escaping the university for Cornwall. Gray seems to cast a spell over Belle. She has only known him for a week but the sensible and practical side of her has gone out the window. As she mentions, he came into her life so suddenly and with force and it was as if he was dragging her along with him but in reality it was the perfect escapist that she needed.
Gray had such a laid-back nature and is completely unlike anyone that she has ever encountered before. He is going to Silverwood, a small estate in Cornwall, where a commune of sorts has been established. He wants peace and quiet to write songs and perhaps to do some gigs where Belle could sing too. Belle is along for the ride but perhaps there is something deep down that is drawing her to Silverwood and with fate giving her an opportunity perhaps now is the perfect moment in time to explore this thought stirring with in her. A sense of recognition becomes ever more prominent within her but what could she possibly have to do with Silverwood as it has never been mentioned in her family home before. There is a strong sense of time and place in the writing when detailing Silverwood and its surrounding areas. It’s like it has been frozen in time with its tranquil and creative environment. People live there in harmony away from the evils of the capitalist system. They make their own clothes, grow their own food, live off grid and try to be as self sufficient as possible.
It all sounds wonderful you may be thinking but I could sense undercurrents of unease amongst the few that reside there and that their ideal is not all it’s cracked up to be with some shouldering the burden of running Silverwood more so than others. Rain is the leader and she has a young son Angel. Janey, Arlo, Sirus, Chouli and Arlo are also there. Arlo is the nephew of the owner who resides somewhere else so they are free to go about their lives in whichever manner they wish. Belle finds it strange to adjust to a completely different way of life but the thoughts of a carefree summer with Gray spurs her on. Back in her family home Belle had discovered a picture of her being held as a baby by a woman on a Cornish beach which had been hidden within a guidebook. She had always felt on edge with her parents that she was walking on a tightrope that was fraying and one day she would be sent tumbling. She has lots of questions especially since the discovery of the image but is reluctant to question her parents but needless to say she has doubts about things and does want to investigate further? Will Silverwood and the people she meets there give her the answers she seeks and if so will she be pleased or horrified ? As Belle meets someone who starts to tell her a story she begins to learn a lot more than she bargained for.
Every chapter or so the story weaves effortlessly back and forth between Belle and Imogen and as I have previously said it was Imogen’s aspect of the storyline which held my attention the most. Perhaps because it was set during a time period which I love reading about but also because she seemed a bit more of a relatable character than Belle in my mind. Imogen works for the Mother’s Little Helpers Agency and is tasked with bringing two young boys to their school in Cornwall which has recently relocated from London due to the bombings. The school now occupies Silverwood and straight away I thought ah now we know what Silverwood was used for many years ago. Imogen is asked to stay on as matron and this period is extended when the permeant matron returns. Imogen is kind and caring. She is happy in the school environment and the beautiful countryside that surrounds it and she has made many friends including teachers Ned and Oliver. Despite the troubles of war that surrounded them the school was a safe haven and I think Imogen grew into a different person when she was there. I think she was permitted certain freedoms which she hadn’t had before and in this way it allowed her to become close to members of the opposite sex and explore some romance.
I enjoyed reading of Imogen’s time at the school and she decides she wishes to pursue nursing as full-time career. Here is where the war really started to take a more dominant role in Imogen’s life and I was enthralled by her story but always at the back of my mind niggling away was the question. What was the connection between the two timelines? In the 1940’s the author is showing how people were affected by the war and that men that feature in the story, one in particular are profoundly changed by their experiences which does go on to have consequences much later on. In the 1960’s it’s the complete opposite to what Imogen went through especially during her nursing in London. For Belle there was a bohemian lifestyle in a tumbledown house with no threat of war although there was a shadow in her life which she couldn’t shake and until she discovered the truth she would always be restless and uncomfortable with aspects of her life.
To be honest I thought I had things worked out as to the connection as it all seemed so straight forward, but that delicious twist appeared. It made me actually want to stop reading and go back to the start again as I knew I would look more closely at things and most certainly view things in a different light. But I resisted this because the end was calling my name and that point of reveal was upon me and it was brilliant to have such a twist that in fact had kept me guessing. The ending was deeply satisfying and made so much sense but at the same time it was so bittersweet. All in all, The Hidden Years was a thoroughly enjoyable read and one which I flew through in a day or two because once I started reading I just wanted to read huge chunks of it at a time.This was a gorgeous, atmospheric read with a slow and leisurely pace which builds to a rewarding conclusion.
July 26, 2023
Unfortunately this did not engage me at all, despite the premise being one which took my fancy. The dual timelines in this case, didn’t quite work for me. I have to admit that I started skipping pages about half way through - I simply couldn’t persevere, life’s too short when you’re really not enjoying it. I hope others enjoyed it more than I did!
Thank you to NetGallery for an ARC.
Thank you to NetGallery for an ARC.
March 2, 2025
A sweet read, just don’t expect a great mystery. Cosy summer read I would say.
June 27, 2024
I loved this Book it was such a lovely Story.
I did not want it to end
I did not want it to end
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