I have been waiting patiently for this book for the past six years or so. "Patiently" only because I knew something of the personal challenges the author, Julia Spencer-Fleming was facing during that time period. It also gave me a reason to go back and read the entire series from beginning to end once I knew the new book was on it's way. In any case, "Hid From Our Eyes" was worth the wait.
Clare and Russ are one of my very favorite fictional couples. What makes them and the series as a whole so enjoyable is that they are so very real. They have flaws both in their characters and in their relationship that makes them so very relatable. Julia Spencer-Fleming's gift for finely drawn characters extends beyond her main characters to all of the secondary characters as well so that I always have a sense that I am reading about real people. The plot lines of "Hid From Our Eyes" enlarge on Russ's history and provide some very interesting backstory for some relationships (like Russ's mom and the former police chief) that were only hinted at in previous books. And if I wasn't already invested in this series, needing to know what Kevin is up to and when/if he and Haley will mend their relationship would definitely keep me coming back for more!
Clare and Russ are one of my very favorite fictional couples. What makes them and the series as a whole so enjoyable is that they are so very real. They have flaws both in their characters and in their relationship that makes them so very relatable. Julia Spencer-Fleming's gift for finely drawn characters extends beyond her main characters to all of the secondary characters as well so that I always have a sense that I am reading about real people. The plot lines of "Hid From Our Eyes" enlarge on Russ's history and provide some very interesting backstory for some relationships (like Russ's mom and the former police chief) that were only hinted at in previous books. And if I wasn't already invested in this series, needing to know what Kevin is up to and when/if he and Haley will mend their relationship would definitely keep me coming back for more!