Hide Your Heart

Far North Series, Book 1

By: Tracey Alvarez

Narrated by: Rosie O'Toole

Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Hiding in plain sight just got complicated....

Lauren Taylor and her young son have fled back to her hometown to escape fame's cruel spotlight, and all she wants to do is start over. No press, no pictures, no problem. Until Nate Fraser, a sexy photojournalist, moves in next door. Resisting his kisses and keeping her secrets soon become the hardest thing she's ever done.

Nate's got one foot out the door and one last assignment before he resumes his nomadic lifestyle, camera in hand. His every instinct screams that his beautiful but unwelcoming neighbor is hiding something. He couldn't care less when it's difficult enough to keep his eyes-and lips-off of her. No matter how much Nate attempts to keep his heart out of reach, he's drawn into her life. But a guy like him can never have what he wants most. Can he?

Nate Fraser, a burned-out photojournalist, plans to fix up the property next door to Lauren and sell it as a celebrity retreat. Always on the move, Nate is only comfortable with short-term assignments and even shorter-term relationships. But it's not just his buyer's tight deadline or that the restoration is far beyond his expertise which turns a short-term project into an ordeal. Nate's plan of travelling the globe is in jeopardy-created by the intensity of his growing feelings for Lauren and her little boy.

As the sparks of passion ignite between them it reawakens Nate's long forgotten dream of having a home and family. Lauren must find a way to trust Nate not only with her secrets, but with her heart-before her safe haven is exposed and she can no longer hide in the shadows.

©2015 Tracey Alvarez (P)2017 Tracey Alvarez

Well Done

Tracey Alvarez has never let me down. Wonderful characters that you actually get to know. A real storyline and good heat between main characters. Narration was quite well done. I would definitely recommend.

Likable Characters and Interesting Situation

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I liked this more than I expected. The idea of a famous photographer entering the life of someone desperately trying to stay hidden was refreshing. There were supporting characters that kept the stories pace and created some tension. Both characters were likable and their actions, believable. The HEA was obtained after hard decisions and realizations coming into focus. All in all, a good listen.

Rose O’Toole has a young voice and gave energy and life to the characters.

One Thumb Up High!

Good book

I enjoyed this book & the characters! This was a sweet book with a good storyline.

Can Love Win the Day ?

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is Lauren's son... he is just so real, You just have to love him and want to protect him.

What does Rose O'Toole bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I really enjoyed listening to Rose O'Toole's voices and the NZ accent.. It certainly brought the story to life.

Any additional comments?

If you like contemporary romance stories with just a touch of spice.. I think you will be glad when you choose this story to read.

Don't hide from this audiobook!

Such a sweet read! I loved the characters--Lauren and Nate, naturally, but also Lauren's brother Todd and sister-in-law Kathy and Drew, of course--he is absolutely adorable, with his monkey-roni and the Superman picture--too cute! :)

Lauren's fighting some pretty big demons--she and her son escaped an abusive relationship and a life she'd never asked for in New York City, seeking refuge in rural New Zealand. Once a world-famous model, she's dyed her hair, changed her look, and keeps herself apart from everyone but her immediate family. She's afraid of being recognized, afraid of the paparazzi, and afraid to let anyone outside her family in. She originally befriends Nate somewhat reluctantly in order to get him to change his plans for the property next door, but the more she gets to know him, the more she wants him, even though she knows their relationship can't last...

Having recently lost his mentor, Nate's taking a break from his photojournalism to rehab a house he's bought sight unseen. (Okay--he saw pictures, but they were misleadingly old and hugely inaccurate.) He's in way over his head, so he enlists the help of a neighbor--a neighbor who's less than thrilled to notice his new boss's interest in his sister. Nate's drawn to Lauren and charmed by his son, but has always believed that his would be a solitary existence--leaving a family to chase work around the globe just wouldn't be right, after all. That's what his mentor always told him...didn't he?

I loved watching Lauren and Nate grow closer, and seeing Drew work his magic on the confirmed bachelor. Tracey's new series is starting out beautifully--this book doesn't quite have the same lighthearted feel to it that her Due South series does, but it's written with her same trademark humor. I loved every minute I spent reading this one, and look forward to book two--which will star Nate's equally famous (and in at least one aspect, equally infamous) cousin.

The audiobook version added the extra dimension of an awesome New Zealand accent--so fun! The narrator did a nice job of bringing Tracey's story to life--here's hoping that the duo will get together in the future to bring more of her books to audio!

Rating: 4 stars / A-

Charming love story bringing together a damaged mother and a man who could not commit.

I liked all of the characters of this book. They were well drawn and believable. Lauren and Drew were perfect together helping each other reach out and grow. Nice ending.

Great Listen!!

What made the experience of listening to Hide Your Heart the most enjoyable?

Quick, funny, heartwarming story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Drew's innocence and simplistic way of looking at life.

Which character – as performed by Rose O'Toole – was your favorite?

Rose performed Nate very well, with inflection and intensity.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me laugh out loud many times!!

Any additional comments?

Great story, great narrator, an all around good time!!

Loving

Lauren is been hiding in Bounty Bay for two years with his son Drew, running from her past life as supermodel in New York and his abusive ex-husband. When she mets Nathan, a photojournalist and her new neighbour for two months while he is reforming the his new house. Can Lauren trust Nathan enough to open her heart again? Is Nathan ready to settle down and have a family after been traveling since his childhood? A love story about trust, commitment and happiness. The audible version is great. You feel as you were inside the story.

Great story

I really enjoyed this story and look forward to the next book to be recorded!

Love in New Zealand

Lauren and her son moved back to New Zealand to get away from her abusive husband. Nate is a globe-trotting photo journalist who buys the run down house next door. Lauren is afraid to let anyone into her life and Nate never wants to be tied down, but with a lot of help from an adorable four year old they get to know one another. There are no big dramas or fights in this story but Ms. Alvarez has no trouble keeping you interested and invested in the story. Ms. O’Toole’s narration is very good. She doesn’t do a lot of big changes between men and women, which is fine. Most important for me is that the narrator never takes you out of the story. I received an advance copy of this book and voluntarily left an honest review.