A dual timeline story set in Cornwall during WWII and 1966. Belle Is persuaded by her musician boyfriend to spend the summer at ‘Silverwood’ where his artistic friends are living. Belle seems to feel some sort of connection to the house and when she finds a photo of herself as a baby in a strange woman’s arms and a box of books belonging to an Imogen Lockhart, she becomes curious to know more, linking the past to the present.

I hugely enjoyed this book as I have all the other novels I’ve read by Rachel Hore. She’s a favourite author of mine. The Hidden Years is an engaging and well written tale with some realistic and likeable characters. I loved the setting - I’m always attracted to stories set in this part of the country. The descriptions are wonderfully vivid and it was easy to visualise in my mind. The timelines were seamlessly put together and well researched. It’s just a lovely, easy, heartwarming read. ( )