The Hideaway: A heartbreaking and absolutely gripping WW2 historical fiction novel
Thea looked at the small suitcase on the kitchen table. The tan leather was scuffed, with the soft gleam of age. She ran her hands over the smooth, cool lid. The thunk of the lock sounded very loud in the stillness of the cottage and she froze, her eyes on her grandmother’s bedroom door. Hearing nothing, she took a big breath and peered inside…
Hedi Fischer, aged ninety, smooths her hair and applies a touch of red lipstick from the tube. Over her pristine wool skirt suit she has knotted a men’s tartan bathrobe, wrinkled and frayed with age. Hedi hasn’t taken it off since Harry passed. Since the day she gave away everything but her battered leather suitcase and decided that she too was ready to die.
Thea has never met her grandmother Hedi, so she’s surprised when she receives a call from social services to take the frail old woman home. She’s not sure how Hedi will fit into her new life – the one where she’s left her boyfriend and moved into a run-down cottage miles from the nearest town. And Hedi refuses to talk about her past, or why she and Thea’s mother haven’t spoken for more than thirty years. So when Thea spots Hedi’s old suitcase on the table, she can’t resist taking a peak inside.
What Thea finds there is more heartbreaking than she could have ever imagined. It is a story that begins in World War Two, when young Hedi arrives by train at a Nazi concentration camp, from which she has no hope of escaping alive…
A heart-warming and emotional read that will have you reaching for the tissues! Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lily Graham and Rachel Hore.
Reviews of The Hideway
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,503 ratings
Page~Turners Caroline
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic dual timeline….loved it
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2022 1945: Hedi Fisher is pushed through the Nazi concentration camp. She feels very alone not recognizing anyone familiar to her. Everyone is wide-eyed and in the same awful situation as Hedi is. Present Day: Thea never knew her grandmother Hedi and is surprised when she receives a call from her. Thea has just quit her job in the city and has rented a tiny cottage miles outside of the city. But when Thea notices an old tattered suitcase belonging to Hedi sitting on the kitchen table, she decides she wants to know everything about her grandmother.
This story was amazing and beautifully written. I was completely engrossed with the story from the very first page. I was emotionally connected with the story at the turn of each page. The lives and the stories of Hedi and Thea were both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The relationship of Hedi and Thea develops so nicely and perfect. The relationship of grandmother and granddaughter was very heartfelt and uplifting. This book was so well-written that I found myself flying through the pages. I couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end. The description of the cottage and its location makes me want to live there. I love the dual timeline of this book, it reads like a movie in my minds eye. This one will definitely be a re-read for sure. This story is so uplifting and inspiring, and it hits all the emotions so make sure you have plenty of Kleenex. I absolutely loved it. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you Norma Curtis for such a wonderful time slip novel. I thoroughly enjoy a book that covers multiple timelines. Fantastic read. I loved it.
Victoria Bailey rated it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ it was amazing
Hedi and Harry have a secret, the keeping of which has left them estranged from their own daughter. Thea is rootless and restless, she turns her feelings off to avoid dealing. On running away from love, she finds herself drawn to The Hideaway. At Harry’s funeral, Thea meets Hedi. The Grandma she had been told was dead.
Hedi is lost without Henry who was “her home” and when Thea takes Hedi in, she learns why for three generations, there has been nowhere to call home.
A novel of bravery, survival and home in all it’s different forms. A well crafted novel with characters who are not perfect and made so believable.
I recommend this book for those interested in wartime novels and time slip novels
YorkshireCarly
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 June 2022 I think I’ll begin with saying what an absolutely stunning cover this is! It instantly makes you want to pick it up and see what’s inside, I’ve been reading a lot of WW2 historical fiction lately so I couldn’t wait to begin this one.
I was utterly captivated by this book after only a few pages the story just hooked me straight away, It was Hedi & Harry that drew me in first and then Thea did the same.
I enjoyed the dual timeline of the preset day with Thea & Heidi then the past with Heidi & Harry.
Families are so complex and you can easily see how families fall out and don’t speak for a very long time but I’m so happy that Heidi finally got to explain why she loved the way she did and acted in certain ways, it explains so much.
Hideaway House seems like the perfect place to be for Thea and as the story unfolds you find out exactly the reason why , I won’t give too much aways as it don’t want to spoil this truly incredible story.
This beautifully unique tale will fill you with hope, then will suddenly break your heart into a million pieces. Without giving too much away, it is truly an emotional rollercoaster, so tissues at the ready! Norma Curtis, you have gained a new fan :).’ Off the Hook Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Locations in The Hideway
