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Review: Hidden

Hidden Hidden by Kelli Clare
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A Romance novel with a twist that fans of Romance and Fantasy will likely enjoy!

Well, thus ends my streak of amazing 4- and 5-star reads! It had to end sometime, and this book was it. I hope to provide some fair feedback for readers considering this book, because though it wasn't good to me, others may enjoy it.

I want to be honest and state that I am a poor fit as a reader and reviewer for this book. I had agreed to review it because it is marketed as a Mystery/Thriller, but this book is firmly in the Romance category and the thriller subplot is only background tension for the relationship between the two main characters. I think readers who are fans of Romance, and also enjoy Fantasy or Young Adult books will enjoy this book.

In terms of writing ability, Kelli Clare has a gift with prose, and that was the part of this book I found rewarding. I think Clare will achieve success applying this gift to the romantic fiction world, and I would love if one day she branches out into other types of fiction. I certainly would consider reading more from her in a different genre.

The book tells the story of Ellie James, who spots a mysterious stranger across the pier and can't seem to get him out of her head. Until she returns home, that is, and finds her grandmother and sister murdered and a photo of the stranger from the pier in her sister's pocket. Ellie is confused, how does her sister know him? When the stranger shows up to rescue her, the connection becomes clear. Ellie and her niece Lissie are whisked away before they suffer the same fate. In a whirlwind of action, Ellie simultaneously learns that she is part of a royal lineage that a group of assassins is trying to eliminate, and Will and his family has been tasked with protecting them. Meanwhile, Ellie can't help but fall for Will, the passion between them is intense and undeniable. Will he be able to save her??

This is a fast-paced novel with a lot of momentum, broken only by the stolen moments between Ellie and Will. Ellie is a classic beauty, incredibly delicate and fragile, but with a bit of spunk. Will is barbaric and mysterious and dangerous, but fiercely protective and controlling. This is my nice way of saying that feminists will likely struggle with this book. Ellie is so fragile to the point that she can't keep food down, routinely passes out and needs to be rescued, and there is a lot of comment on how delicate and feminine her ... anatomy is. Will is prone to flying off the handle when any male goes near her, even with good intentions. Though I found the gender archetypes to be disappointing, I don't think all readers will feel that way. I think many readers will enjoy the relationship between Ellie and Will. Their passion is undeniable.

I also want to warn readers that this book has many graphic sex scenes. Some readers will love this, but others may not want that sort of read. To those who do enjoy this book, please leave me a comment and let me know what you liked! I tried to point out a few things that I did enjoy in this review, even if the book as a whole didn't work for me.

Thank you to SparkPress, NetGalley, and Kelli Clare for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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