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stilllifebooks 's review for:
The Hidden Side
by Heidi Chiavaroli
I have to admit that I dragged my feet not wanting to start this book. I knew from what the author had told me that it dealt with a shooting and that the subject matter was challenging. And I wasn’t in the mood for a depressing read, I never am come to think of it.
But I am so glad I did. It is one of the best books I’ve read this year. The way Heidi dealt with the difficult subject matter is something to be applauded. I finished this book with so many feelings and I closed it not wanting to move on to another book.
The characters in this book were amazing and they had wonderful growth and development. The story is centered around three women mostly, and it moves between them throughout the book. I am a sucker for story that moves between time periods and it seems to be a popular genre these days. Heidi Chivaroli pulls it off very well, and the transitions between characters and time periods feels seamless.
Mercy is a woman dealing with the loss of her betrothed and a secret he kept from her, in Revolutionary War era New York. Natalie is a mother of two, who works as a Christian radio show host, who feels like she’s lost touch with her children. And her daughter, Maelynn, is a sixteen-year-old girl going through the struggles of being a high schooler, trying to fit in, and finding her feet after an unimaginable tragedy. All three of these women grow over the course of the book showing that even if life seems unlivable there is always hope.
I do feel it necessary to say though that it isn’t a book for young readers, I say at the youngest 18, but it does delve into territory that would be helpful for a high schooler so it depends on the person. It deals with a shooting, someone is hanged for a crime, bullying, there are mentions of rape. But, the subject matter handled very well and is all done tastefully. It never feels too heavy or depressing. She tells you just enough but it’s never graphic in my opinion.
A big part of this book deals with a school shooting, and as a subject so often in the news these days it is a timely book. I can’t imagine going through what the people in this book did and even though what they experience is fictional what they go through is very much real. I loved the balance between dark and light the author found. This is not a happy go lucky book by any means. It deals with some tough stuff but ultimately this book serves as a reminder that no matter what tragedies may come our way, how the people closest to us may fail and hurt us, God will always be there. Especially when our days are at their darkest, especially when we feel light years away from God He will always be there.
One more thought, this is not your typical Christian fiction that either falls flat or comes off as preachy or religious. That I’ve given up on, I want depth in the books I read and this book delivered. This is what Christian fiction should be. I can’t recommend this book enough.
I enjoyed this author’s first book, Freedom’s Ring, very much but, I think The Hidden Side is even better. I can’t wait to read what Heidi Chivaroli writes next.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
But I am so glad I did. It is one of the best books I’ve read this year. The way Heidi dealt with the difficult subject matter is something to be applauded. I finished this book with so many feelings and I closed it not wanting to move on to another book.
The characters in this book were amazing and they had wonderful growth and development. The story is centered around three women mostly, and it moves between them throughout the book. I am a sucker for story that moves between time periods and it seems to be a popular genre these days. Heidi Chivaroli pulls it off very well, and the transitions between characters and time periods feels seamless.
Mercy is a woman dealing with the loss of her betrothed and a secret he kept from her, in Revolutionary War era New York. Natalie is a mother of two, who works as a Christian radio show host, who feels like she’s lost touch with her children. And her daughter, Maelynn, is a sixteen-year-old girl going through the struggles of being a high schooler, trying to fit in, and finding her feet after an unimaginable tragedy. All three of these women grow over the course of the book showing that even if life seems unlivable there is always hope.
I do feel it necessary to say though that it isn’t a book for young readers, I say at the youngest 18, but it does delve into territory that would be helpful for a high schooler so it depends on the person. It deals with a shooting, someone is hanged for a crime, bullying, there are mentions of rape. But, the subject matter handled very well and is all done tastefully. It never feels too heavy or depressing. She tells you just enough but it’s never graphic in my opinion.
A big part of this book deals with a school shooting, and as a subject so often in the news these days it is a timely book. I can’t imagine going through what the people in this book did and even though what they experience is fictional what they go through is very much real. I loved the balance between dark and light the author found. This is not a happy go lucky book by any means. It deals with some tough stuff but ultimately this book serves as a reminder that no matter what tragedies may come our way, how the people closest to us may fail and hurt us, God will always be there. Especially when our days are at their darkest, especially when we feel light years away from God He will always be there.
One more thought, this is not your typical Christian fiction that either falls flat or comes off as preachy or religious. That I’ve given up on, I want depth in the books I read and this book delivered. This is what Christian fiction should be. I can’t recommend this book enough.
I enjoyed this author’s first book, Freedom’s Ring, very much but, I think The Hidden Side is even better. I can’t wait to read what Heidi Chivaroli writes next.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.