The Hidden Girl, by Lucinda Riley & Harry Whitaker - Karen
Born and raised in a small village on the Yorkshire moors, Leah Thompson grows more beautiful with each passing day. When she catches the attention of the influential, troubled Delancey family, she knows her life will never be the same again.
Years later, in the 1970s, seventeen-year-old Leah takes the modelling world by storm travelling from Milan to London to New York, living life in the lap of luxury. But her past follows her like a dark shadow, mysteriously intertwining with a tragic tale of two estranged young siblings, David and Rose in 1938 Warsaw during German invasion of Poland, and ultimately to the horror of a concentration camp - Treblinka.
This book is a must-read for Lucinda Riley fans - indeed for anyone who enjoys books about complicated relationships over several generations. It reminded me of The Sun Sister because of the modelling theme but this story stands on its own two feet, educating the reader as well as pulling you through the pages - all 549 of them! Lucinda’s books are always ‘chunky’ but you just fly through them without even realising you are halfway through. Be careful though, you won’t want it to end!
Having read most of Lucinda Riley’s books now, including the Seven Sisters series (which are also must-reads), this book gave me a different ‘feel’. Lucinda’s son Harry Whittaker reworked the book previously written by his mother (called Hidden Beauty) under the name Lucinda Edmonds.
There are a few surprises towards the end and a shocking twist on the last page. One definitely to add to your book buying list! Highly recommended.
Karen
