Will plumb the depths of your emotions: "The Hidden Side" by Heidi Chiavaroli
While on the air, radio host Natalie Abbott offers up guidance and encouragement for her listeners, all while struggling to know how to handle her own teenagers at home. When her son becomes involved in a horrific incident, Natalie is faced with more than she ever thought possible. Only by finding inspiration in a journal written by Mercy Howard in 1776, writing of her own secrets and hardships, does Natalie find the strength to heal the rift in her life.
Blending past and present in a remarkable way, "The Hidden Side" immediately drew me in and engaged me so thoroughly that I utterly forgot the world around me until I reached the conclusion of the story. Chiavaroli writes with raw emotion, and as Natalie walked through one of the most difficult events I can imagine a parent facing, I found my own feelings deeply engaged to the point that I just couldn't tear myself away from what I was reading. The author does an excellent job at alternating between Natalie's story and that of Mercy, weaving them together in a way that moves the story forward in a beautiful manner. By the time I closed the final pages, I had a fresh appreciation for how God can take the most horrible of circumstances and somehow bring good out of them. The author has brought that truth to light in a remarkable manner, and I am left with a feeling of deep contentment at how the author had brought peace to Natalie and Mercy's situation, a peace that we can all find in our own lives through God's hand.
Heidi Chiavaroli's novel is wonderfully written, with an engaging, emotional plot, characters you will connect with, and spiritual truths that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. I award this book a high rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
Book has been provided courtesy of the publisher, Tyndale, for the purposes of this unbiased review.
about the author...
Heidi Chiavaroli began writing eleven years ago, just after Jesus had grabbed hold of her heart. She used her two small boys' nap times to pursue what she thought at the time was a foolish dream. Despite a long road to publication, she hasn't stopped writing since!
Heidi won the 2014 ACFW Genesis contest in the historical category. Her debut novel, Freedom's Ring, was a 4½-star Romantic Times Top Pick and a Booklist Top Ten Romance Debut.
Heidi loves exploring places that whisper of historical secrets, especially with her family. She loves running, hiking, baking, and dates with her high-school sweetheart and husband of fourteen years. Heidi makes her home in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. Visit her online at heidichiavaroli.com.
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