Hidden Talents

Whispers of a Buried Past

Hidden Talents by Erica James unfolds in the genteel seaside town of Brightford, where sunlit promenades and pastel-hued cottages mask stories long left untold. When Isabella “Izzy” Hart returns home after a decade abroad, she brings little more than nostalgia and a battered sketchbook filled with dreams she dared not pursue. Yet the moment she crosses the threshold of her family’s old bookshop, she senses that this quiet haven—once a childhood playground—holds secrets as layered and intricate as her watercolours.

Entangled Lives and Hidden Dreams

As Izzy reconnects with her brother, Matthew, now a dedicated schoolteacher, and her estranged childhood friend, the enigmatic ceramicist Luca Marlowe, the stories of their intertwined past begin to surface. Matthew struggles beneath the weight of expectations he never chose, while Luca’s fragile creations echo an artistry born from heartache. Through late-night confidences over steaming mugs of tea and the soft echo of pages turning, each character reveals a talent or longing they have concealed—from unspoken lyrics penned in secret journals to portraits left unfinished on dusty easels.

When the Masks Fall Away

Guided by a chance discovery in a forgotten ledger, Izzy embarks on a quest to unearth a mysterious benefactor who shaped the fortunes of Brightford’s residents decades ago. In the process, she confronts her own fears of failure and abandonment, learning that true courage lies in laying bare both gifts and vulnerabilities. As the tapestry of lives converges beneath cerulean skies and crashing waves, forgiveness blooms, and hidden talents—once feared too fragile to share—transform into beacons of hope and renewal.

. Erica James is a Sunday Times bestselling author celebrated for her evocative storytelling, richly drawn characters, and heartfelt explorations of love, family, and second chances.