Hidden Places: A Novel

Lynn Austin is such a great author. She has a way of weaving a story without the reader knowing where she is going. This ability keeps the reader’s interest. She teaches life lessons.Her writings are morally clean and she doesn’t rely on filthy words to sell her books. This is the type of story which could b true.

This story could be written about anyone of us. The selves we hid for others and ourself. It felt so human, even awful characters who could not get out of there own way evoked feelings of sorrow and sympathy. We spend too much time beating ourselves up for the past - it’s nice to be reminded that just living can be a reminder of how blessed we truly are.

I liked this story, because it all turns out good in the end, but getting there is almost too painful at times. There might be spoilers in my review.I think the book has too many bad guys in it. And I find it hard to believe that the next generation of Wyatts is going to turn out undamaged, knowing how many despicable ancestors there are in this family tree.Betsy & Lydia's father is a heartless bully.Frank Wyatt was abusive to his wife.Frank Wyatt was horribly abusive to his boys, starting when they were small.Gabe's father was completely evil.Eliza's father was neglectful, even if he wasn't abusive.This is too much for one book, IMO. There isn't a decent father-figure to be found anywhere. Such darkness in a clan's history cannot be so easily overcome in one generation.And I don't think all these fathers "needed" to be bad to the bone. I'd like to see the story re-written to show a change of heart in one or more of them.I'm disappointed in Eliza for only writing her father once in 13 years. She's too stubborn and bull-headed as well, though perhaps she needed that character quality in order to survive the Wyatt household. But 13 years? Shame on her.Thank goodness for Aunt Batty and Aunt Peanut, or I think the story would be unbearable.

A “feel good” tale of discoveries. While I enjoyed this heartwarming story about people finding their way in life, none of the least of which was God’s will for them, the coincidences in this story were a little uncanny, thus my rating of only 4 stars.

Review These days I don't seem to read many 5-star books. This one changed that track record.Hidden Places is an odd title for this book. I'm sure there's more significance in it than I care to delve into, but not enough to make me remember the title. But I will never forget this story. All anyone has to do is mention Aunt Batty and it will all come flooding back.This is a different book from typical Historical Romances. The writing is much more like it's written by a seasoned writer with a unique ability... a true ability to put a story together in a memorable way. Oh, Ms. Austin can write.Another thing different about this book for me is the main character, Eliza was not a favorite for me. In fact I kept thinking I'm not sure I'd like her if I knew her. She often got mad and flew off at the handle. She often didn't seem capable of being calm and finding out how to view something without anger.But as the story goes on, you will see why.Seems everyone is this story had huge hurdles to get over. Eliza for the way she was raised... twice... once by her mother and later by her father. A very odd childhood I don't want to give away.Gabe, her love interest also had a childhood that was sad.Aunt Batty (hands down the best character) had an overbearing father who decided for her what she should do. But ended up having the richest life of them all because of circumstances that God brought into her life. Wise and fun. That's Aunt Batty.Lydia was Batty's sister, who she loved unconditionally. Lydia made one of the most unexpected sacrifices Batty (then Betsy) could ever believe.We get background during conversations, but the real background of each character is when each one's story is told, like mini separate books... but it always comes back to the main story after a while. All are fascinating... all endear you to them.Eliza wants to be loved, and find a home and be normal. She finds it in a little town she drops herself into. She needs to keep her past to herself and just be normal. But with this normal life comes father-in-law from hell (Frank). One of the most miserable people you will ever care to know. We never really know why he's so miserable... but we sure do get the stories of all the people he affected in this miserable life. Some survive and come out better, some don't fair so well.But anyone who gets to know Batty (Frank's sister-in-law)is better for having known her...except Frank who hated everyone. Sweet woman who enters Eliza's life just when she needed her.Then along comes Gabe, a hobo who needed a wound tended. Eliza helps him to heal and he stays on at her orchard to pay her back.The rest is history.Great book I can unreservedly recommend.

Beautifully written as are all of Lynne Austin’s books. I’m always sad when I finish reading the last page. I recommend it!

I found this book a bit confusing . I en joyed it but i got lost trying to work out who was who

This book had a bit of everything. Even a circus. All skillfully woven together as it told stories within stories. The characters were brilliantly portrayed and I loved them all. Great read. Thank you.

I loved all the twists and turns and patchwork of sub-stories that wove together in this. A wonderful and engaging read.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!! This is the story in a nutshell:Eliza Wyatt, a widowed mother of three, is desperately struggling to run the family orchard in the midst of the Great Depression. When a stranger arrives, offering to work for food, she thinks God has answered her prayers for help. Drawn to the man and the surprising discovery of the typewriter he carries in his sack, she secretly reads his story. Suspecting he is not who he claims, she is afraid to give him her heart. Will he prove to be a sham or will he alter her future forever?Read it to find out - you will not regret it!

Was good though didn't enjoy as much as Lynn's other books I've read but got bit lost at times, but as always her faith is very important and always comes through in her stories. A great ending!