I went into “The Hidden Girl” with a mix of curiosity and caution. It’s a hefty read, and I wasn’t sure I had the headspace for a sweeping saga. But within a few chapters, I was completely absorbed. This is classic Lucinda Riley; lush, layered, and emotionally charged, with the added poignancy of being republished posthumously, lovingly reworked by her son, Harry Whittaker.
The story centres around Leah Thompson, a quiet, beautiful girl growing up in a small Yorkshire village in the 1970s. Her life changes dramatically when she becomes entangled with the Delancey family (a single mother and her two teenagers) who are as glamorous as they are troubled. Leah’s connection to them sets her on a path that takes her from the windswept moors to the catwalks of Milan, London and New York. But her rise to fame is shadowed by secrets—both her own and those buried deep in the Delancey family’s past.
Woven through Leah’s story is a haunting thread from the 1940s: the tale of two siblings in wartime Poland, whose experiences in a concentration camp ripple forward into the lives of the present-day characters. These flashbacks are some of the most powerful parts of the novel: harrowing, yes, but deeply human. Riley doesn’t shy away from the horrors of history, but she handles them with sensitivity.
What worked for me was the sheer scope of the novel. It’s a proper saga: romance, tragedy, glamour, betrayal, and a touch of mystery all rolled into one. Leah is a likeable protagonist: modest, kind, and quietly resilient. She’s not without flaws, and there were moments I wanted her to stand up for herself more, but I rooted for her throughout. Her relationships (especially with Brett, the boy she falls for as a teenager) are messy and complicated, which made them feel real.
The supporting cast is equally compelling. The Delanceys are a fascinating bunch, each carrying their own burdens. I particularly enjoyed the way Riley explored the long-term impact of trauma, both personal and generational. There’s a strong theme of identity running through the book, how our past shapes us, and how secrets, even well-intentioned ones, can fester.
If I had one quibble, it’s with the final few pages. Without giving anything away, the last twist felt a bit jarring to me, almost as if it belonged in a different story. It didn’t ruin the book, but it did leave me unsettled in a way that didn’t quite match the tone of the rest of the novel.
That said, “The Hidden Girl” is a beautifully told, emotionally rich story that spans decades and continents. It’s perfect for fans of historical fiction, family sagas, and character-driven drama.
In the end, I was left with that bittersweet feeling you get when you finish a book that’s lived with you for a while. It made me think, it made me feel, and it reminded me why I love a good, sprawling story.
Thank you to Exclusive Books for the chance to read this book! The Hidden Girl – Exclusive Books Online
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