New York, 2016Natalie Abbott offers answers for hurting listeners on her popular radio program. But she struggles to connect with her teenagers, with her daughter in an unhealthy relationship and her son uncommunicative and isolated. When one member of the family commits an unspeakable act, Natalie is forced to uncover who she truly is under the façade of her radio persona.New York, 1776Mercy … 1776Mercy Howard is shocked when her fiancé, Nathan Hale, is arrested and hanged as a spy. When she’s asked to join the revolutionary spy ring in Manhattan, she sees an opportunity to avenge Nathan’s death. But keeping her true loyalties hidden grows increasingly harder as the charming Major John Andre of the King’s Army becomes more to her than a target for intelligence.Mercy’s journals comfort Natalie from across the centuries as both women struggle with their own secrets and shame, wondering how deep God’s mercy extends.
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This is an extremely well-written story that deals with very difficult, yet timely, subject matters. It took me longer than usual to read. I needed time to process my feelings as I went along. The author does not shy away from the details but gently gives them to us in a way that is not gratuitous or graphic. Natalie seemed a bit out of touch with her teenage children, consumed with her radio personality. I was glad to see her face the truth and how she tried to hold her family together and deal with the consequences of the tragedy. I think she gained strength from reading Mercy’s journal.
Mercy’s story as part of a Revolutionary spy ring was intriguing.
This book does not have a typical “Happily Ever After” ending but something that felt very real to me. The courage to go on.
I look forward to reading more from this award-winning author.
Chiavaroli took my breath away with The Hidden Side. The raw emotion she managed to put in between the pages cuts straight to your heart and doesn’t let up. I found myself thinking about this story all day long, even when I was reading, and for days afterwards. The present day story felt so real to me, probably because it’s something that seems to happen frequently in this world. But to get inside the mind of the family who is suffering from this experience the most was absolutely mind blowing.
Here’s the thing. When we see something horrific happen, and a young person is responsible, many people are quick to judge the parents. To say they missed the warning signs, or didn’t raise their child right, or whatever. Let me tell you this – The Hidden Side will absolutely change your mind on that. You get an inside peek, and while yes I understand this is a fictional novel, Chiavaroli has perfectly and beautifully depicted the thoughts and emotions of the family members left behind. They were real. Not forced, not written just to fill the pages of a book, and not thrown together to make it look good. I could see mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers out there reacted and feeling like these characters. And through it all, Chiavaoli has managed to make me second guess my reactions in the past, and has challenged me to really stop and think before I react to situations in the future. I was so glad that she included both Natalie and Maelynn’s POV’s in the present day storyline. It added so much depth to the story, and really enhanced the reading experience for me.
I was just as happy with the story of Mercy. She was such a strong woman, and I found myself admiring many things about her. Mercy was not afraid to take a stand for what she believed, even if she did go about it in a secretive way. But here’s the thing Mercy learned. Even our enemies are just people at the end of the day. There are more to them then just war, or whatever the difference may be. Another important lesson to be learned. We need to stop and thinking about people on the other side. They have feelings, they have strengths and weaknesses. And at the end of the day, they are just fighting for something they truly believe in, whether it is right or wrong. It doesn’t make them any less of a person then we are!
Chiavaroli is one of my favorite time-slip authors. The talent this woman has is absolutely amazing. She writes like a seasoned pro. Her faith themes are woven through so delicately, and yet send such a clear message. At one point in the book, a character was wondering if God left them, or did they leave God. WOW. Such a powerful statement right there that jumped right off the page at me. The answer is simple really – God will never leave us. And yet sometimes we go through trials that feel like He did, simply because we have distanced ourselves from Him. An important lesson for this character, but an even more important lesson for the reader.
This is a story that will not be forgotten by this reader. Oh my goodness, I could keep talking about it for another week, month even. If by some chance you have never read this novel, I highly encourage you to. Yes, there are some difficult topics, but it is so worth the read! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved this book. It was a time slip book where Heidi wrote effortlessly between two time periods about women who had deep secrets to hide. Her characters are so real and identifiable. She writes how God is the answer to our problems. I will definitely be reading more books by this author.
What do you do when there is zero possibility for a happy ending? To whom do you turn when life is unbearably broken? That is the situation that Natalie Abbott and her family are thrown into when one of them commits a horrendous act. I had to digest this book and ponder those questions for awhile. Heidi Chiavaroli does such a beautiful, eloquent job of handling a very tragic, very relevant part of our current culture. She also uses the fictional story of Mercy Howard, a New York Patriot during the Revolutionary War, to show the universal nature of suffering and hardships. As the Abbott family deals with the aftermath of their tragedy, they read Mercy’s story and find inspiration in her reliance on faith when she has nothing else left in life.
This book is not a warm, fuzzy happily ever after type story, but oh, how I love it anyway! I consider it a must-read for those who feel like they have no hope and no one to turn to in life! I received a copy of this book from Tyndale House through NetGalley and am under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.
There are some stories that I can’t begin to imagine the journey the author went through to write them. There’s a certain responsibility when writing difficult stories because at the same time you’re not assuming to know what it means to go through these situations, you want the readers to have a glimpse, to connect, to not let these stories be forgotten so we may pray that they may not be repeated. Hence, I believe as challenging as they might be, they must be written and we readers should search for them.
I’ve been impressed with Heidi Chiavaroli’s writing since her debut novel, and, honestly, I’m having a hard time to believe this is only her sophomore novel. “The Hidden Side” is told from three points of view: Natalie and Maelynn Abbott’s in the present and Mercy Howard during the 18th century. I was never lost, never bored, and can’t possibly pick a favorite. Each characters’ journey is unique at the same time they echo and intwine somehow with each other.
The Abbott’s household is hit by a tragedy and they are left to ponder: why? how could this happen? where was God? And they have to somehow pick up the pieces and continue their normal routine though it’s impossible for things to go back to the way they were. In midst of heartache, Natalie finds solace in Mercy’s diary. Though both women share a broken heart, only one is because of a man with a noble cause.
Both women are trying to understand what happened and if they truly knew their loved ones after all. Their hearts are burdened and a need to do something starts nudging them; a need to believe there is still good they can do to offer love and hope. It’s not easy, it’s not straightforward, but to live any other way will be to not live at all for you’re giving darkness the last say.
This is not a beach read or a book to pick up for leisure. I would never pick it up before bedtime for I knew it could challenge me, and I wanted to be fully committed to every word and every pain. This book investigates suffering beyond what you might imagine at first; the actions are never condoned, but there’s a nagging question: is this it? is this truly the end?
And it’s not. We are NOT called to conform; but to do something we need to have our eyes opened, as well as our hearts. I believe this book can play a roll in that so I couldn’t recommend it enough.
Bravo, Heidi Chiavaroli. Very well done!
Heidi Chiavaroli has left an indelible mark on my heart with her second novel. I attribute this primarily to the emotional depth she employs in her writing.
: http://bit.ly/hiddenside
Heidi Chiavaroli’s latest time slip novel “The Hidden Side” is a powerful and incredibly emotional story that captivates her readers as she bravely addresses the topic of school shootings along with the bravery and losses faced by individuals fighting on both sides during the Revolutionary War. As a teacher, the school shootings hit close to home for me as that is something that we are constantly educating and preparing our staff and students of how to react to should such a situation occur. This was one book that I could not put down. Chiavaroli eloquently addresses all aspects of the situation and allows the reader to feel absolute horror at the shooting and the loss of lives, while also feeling compassion for the severe bullying that the shooter went through at school through the reading of his journals. She shared how God’s mercy provided comfort and compassion during extremely difficult times and how ordinary people bravely dealt with extraordinary circumstances. This was an incredible story, and I definitely recommend it!!!
Heidi Chiavaroli caught my attention last year with her debut novel, Freedom’s Ring, and I can easily say that she surpassed herself with The Hidden Side. I admit that it took me several days to read the first fifty pages, not because it was a slow read or not keeping my attention, but rather because I knew what was coming, and I wasn’t sure if my heart could bear it. I can’t imagine the emotional agony that the Abbots endured, and I imagine that it takes a certain amount of bravery to face the emotional upset that Chiavaroli may have experienced while writing this finely crafted story.
The story takes place in both past and present. While I wasn’t sure how the story of Natalie Abbot and her family would tie in with that of Mercy Howard, by the end, I was in tears over how things end for both story lines. It was almost more realistic and compelling then her first novel because there is no secret tie to the past; just a mother and daughter who find solidarity in a woman from long ago, one who is torn between her duty to country and a man she comes to love. Natalie, Maelynn, and Mercy are each at one point both the betrayed and the betrayer. Their characters speak to the complexity of human nature, the depth of how far one can go, but still not be so far as to negate grace.
The first-person narration is superb, and though at first I was surprised by sixteen year old Maelynn’s point of view, it became an unexpectedly riveting lens through which I viewed the story. There is clear distinction between each of the characters, and though I am often eager to get back to the historical story line, that wasn’t the case here. Rather, each side created a nice foil for the other. When events in the present are heart-rending, events in the past may be a bit more subdued, yet subtly dangerous. There is a strong sense of foreboding in the past, yet the present is such an intense array of emotions that there is little “rest” to be had there. Honestly, I could hardly put the book down no matter when in the story I found myself.
This book deals with some heavy topics in both past and present, including gun violence, rape, and death. Though nothing is described gratuitously, Chiavaroli is honest about the impact of it all. She reaches a depth of emotion that I don’t often experience reading fiction. She doesn’t choose sides yet doesn’t make excuses, doesn’t shy away from what the world deems ugly, broken, and past redemption. Each and every one of us are struggling in this hard and terrible world, where sometimes things are beyond explanation and understanding. This story has the ability to peel away self-righteousness and reveal what it really means to believe, yet doubt, what it means to judge, yet not condemn, and what it means to love unconditionally. This is not a story to be read on an idle whim; it’s a story that demands the reader’s attention. I was moved to empathy for so many, real people who have experienced these same things, while reading this story, and I believe it will do the same for many readers. The Hidden Side is one of my favorite reads this year. Highly recommended.
I received an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.
I discovered this author last year and was very impressed with the depth and emotion she invoked in her writing. This book is her second novel and honestly, it surpassed even the first. I didn’t think it was going to be possible to top Freedom’s Ring but somehow she managed to do just so.
If you’re looking for a light romantic read—this book is not going to fit that bill. This book is gritty, raw and often heart wrenching. As a parent, this book toyed with my emotions and made me want to hold my children tight.
This book deals with very hard topics—rape, school violence, and bullying situations. Given recent school violence, I think some people will have a hard time handling these topics. The author handles them delicately but she captured the emotional upset and heart of these issues.
At first, I wasn’t sure how the historical part of this story was going to tie into the present. But, the author managed to bring both stories together, weaving them seamlessly.
Unlike Freedom’s Ring, this book doesn’t have much of a romance strand. This book is more about broken people finding refuge in God. Honestly, it’s why I really enjoyed this book so much. So many fiction books always include a romance. Even though life is not all lovey-dovey all the time. I appreciate these books that explore the grit of life so that hurting people can find hope in Christ.
I really loved this book. I’m truly surprised that this is the author’s second book to be published. She writes with the finesse of a longtime author. She truly has a gift and I’m so glad that I’ve discovered her novels.
This book was provided to me by Tyndale. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved this book! It was very well written! I thoroughly enjoyed they 3 different point of views in this story. This book touches on some deep issues, but it is written in such a great way. It definitely changed my thinking about tragedy. I really loved the part of the story that took place during the Revolutionary War. I highly recommend this book to everyone! There’s a good message of hope in this book.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
There have been a few books I’ve read in the last year that I just want to give either the author or the publisher a bravery medal for—this book is one of those. Tackling a sensitive subject that has hit too many close to home, school shooting are becoming all too frequent and are times in which the whole nation grieves. Shinning the light where it needs to be—individuals, grace, leaning on God—and not getting sideswiped by political outrages for or against gun control. I had no idea what the book was about before I picked it up and the writing was so compelling that by the third chapter I had an ominous feeling in the pit of my stomach. As a reader you can’t help by deeply feel the pain and struggle of the Abbot family and the author does a splendid job of wrenching your emotions all around. This is a book that will make you feel deeply, see differently, and pray harder.
The Hidden Side is a powerful, grab you by the heart, kind of story. In actuality, it is two stories as it is a time-split novel, and both storylines are equally compelling.
This was not an emotionally easy novel for me to read. But if you are looking for a book that will stretch you and make you open your heart and delve into some uncomfortable questions, then this is a great story to grab hold of.
I appreciated the raw emotion and valid questions that were raised in both time periods, past and present. The author was able to bring forth the stories of a woman from the past and a family from the present who were dealing with almost incomprehensible loss and make the emotions real to the reader.
I appreciated that the storyline that took place in the present did not get political, but instead walked the reader through the lives of the family members who were dealing with the aftermath of tragedy and what their new lives were going to be like. I could hardly set this book down!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
A powerful story that broke my heart for all the Chris’s of the world. Unforgettable.
Highly recommend. (There are disturbing themes—rape, school shooting, bullying—but all handled with subtlety and grace.)
Heidi Chiavaroli has such a gift for storytelling, weaving emotional tales around subjects that a lot of authors wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole. If you want a lighthearted read with a happily ever-after-ending, then this isn’t the book for you. But if you want a gripping drama of lies and truth, anger and forgiveness, brokenness and love then look no further. This is the fourth book of Heidi Chiavaroli’s that I’ve read, it’s also the fourth book of her’s that I’ve read in one sitting!
Riveting and real—two stories—one unearths secrets of 21st Century America’s worst nightmare, and one the divided loyalties of Patriots and Tories alike in days leading to our country’s painful birth. How do we navigate turbulent waters? How did they? Chivaroli’s ability to write two equally compelling timelines and connect them through raw emotion, deep conflict and fulfilled need in one novel is stunning. The Hidden Side—a novel for all.