The Hidden Side

GIVEAWAY

CHIAVAROLI, HEIDI
THE HIDDEN SIDE

NEW YORK, 2016 - Every day Natalie Abbott offers sage advice to hurting listeners on her popular radio program. But away from the comfort of the studio, she struggles to connect with her family; with an out-of-control daughter and an uncommunicative and isolated son, Natalie takes solace in the daily woes of others, turning a blind eye to the pressing issues mounting at her doorstep. Her carefully constructed world implodes when a member of the family commits an unspeakable act. Known as the woman with all the answers, for the first time Natalie questions her way forward.

NEW YORK, 1771 -- Mercy Howard watches in abject horror as the man she loves, her fiance Nathan Hale, is arrested and hanged as a spy. When asked to join the revoluntionary spy ring in Manhattan, Mercy sees an opportunity to avenge Nathan's death. But keeping her true loyalties hidden grows increasingly challenging as the charming Major John Andre of the King's Army becomes more to her than a target for intelligence.

Mercy's journals offer comfort to Natalie from across the centruries as both women struggle with their own secrets and well-kept shame -- and wonder how deep God's mercy truly extends.

My Review:

"You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory." (p 365)

I'm not even sure how to review this one. So much to say but I really can't without posting a whole bunch of spoilers and I think it's best to experience The Hidden Side as the story unfolds because there really isn't any way to prepare you for what's to come.

It's a tough read -- the kind that singes your heart and forces you to look at things you'd rather not. That makes you uncomfortable as it stretches your capacity to understand your faith and accept grace in a whole new way. And, honestly, it will leave you feeling bruised and tender for some time to come.

Chiavaroli has courageously tackled some tough subject matter and exposes even more questions than answers by the time the story concludes. And that's a good thing because we need to be thinking and talking and listening. We need to be brave enough to come out of hiding; to tackle society's most difficult issues with compassionate honesty.

While this is a dual timeline novel, it's the present day story that held me captive. Mercy's historical viewpoint was interesting but I didn't feel a deep connection between the events of 1776 and those of present day. For me, the Abbott family's journey consumed me. I read each page with ever growing horror, reeling in despair as their lives unravel.. It took my breath away. It hurt. I was just as stunned and confused and grappling for answers as the characters were. But the author didn't leave us in that dark place. She reminds the Abbotts...and her readers...that we are not navigating through this complicated world alone.

"You are a broken mess. Your family is a broken mess. But your God is not." (p 361)

And when it comes to our brokenness -- we can choose to wallow in it or allow hope to carry us out of it.

"I chose the hope of something more in the center of our dire circumstances. I drew in a deep breath, made a decision to fall into His capable hands." (p 372)

Gut-wrenching. Sobering. Thought provoking. There's plenty to talk about so The Hidden Side would make a truly amazing Book Club selection. Definitely worth the time it takes to read and ponder.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Hidden Side, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 23 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!