Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Review - Hidden by Catherine McKenzie




When a married man suffers a sudden fatal accident, two women are shattered — his wife and his mistress — and past secrets, desires, and regrets are brought to light.

While walking home from work one evening, Jeff Manning is struck by a car and killed. Two women fall to pieces at the news: his wife, Claire, and his co-worker Tish. Reeling from her loss, Claire must comfort her grieving son as well as contend with funeral arrangements, well-meaning family members, and the arrival of Jeff’s estranged brother, who was her ex-boyfriend. Tish volunteers to attend the funeral on her company’s behalf, but only she knows the true risk of inserting herself into the wreckage of Jeff’s life.

Told through the three voices of Jeff, Tish, and Claire, Hidden explores the complexity of relationships, the repercussions of our personal choices, and the responsibilities we have to the ones we love.


My Review - 4

This was a mature read, it will hit a few readers in the gut, trigger many but I think will start great conversation regarding the difference between an emotional affair versus a physical one.  You are left with a did they or did they refrain thought.

Jeff and Tish work for the same company but different locations and become acquainted during HR training and a company event.  Both are married with similar aged children but quickly become connected, drawn to each other, is it appropriate or not.

The book starts with a bang, Jeff is involved with a fatal accident after terminating someone and both his wife Claire and colleague Tish cannot understand why he is not responding.  The story starts with us knowing the two women will connect but how and on what circumstances, we are unsure.

But how are you supposed to feel, really, when all your worst fears, things you'd never even imagined could happen, actually do happen, actually do come true?  Kindle 68%

I enjoy stories where we hear from characters to get their side of the story and in Hidden, we hear from Jeff, Clair and Tish.  The additional spin to this story is that Claire dated Jeff's brother Tim first.  You start to realize the decisions one makes affects many in different ways and also can trigger many years later.

The book had titled chapters - what do you think of this style?  I like the added touch of titles, sometimes they are really memorable and help to set the moment.

This was my first book by Catherine McKenzie but I have Fractured on my to read list.


Thanks for visiting Tea Time with Marce

12 comments:

  1. I've never thought about numbered chapters versus titled chapters. This book sounds thought provoking - I wonder if my book club would read it. By the way, I liked Fractured a lot.

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    1. I think it will be a good book club read. There are a few in my group that a little to 'perfect' for this one in my opinion, lol.

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  2. Sounds like a serious read. Sometimes I like these kinds.

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    1. Jenny, it definitely was a mature read, a good how would you handle in all the different character scenarios.

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  3. I enjoyed reading this. Fractured was another good read, too. Hope you enjoy that too and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.

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    1. Hi Melody, I went to post my review in LibrayThing and realized that I put it on my Wishlist after reading your review :-) And I read Fractured earlier in the year without doing a review so I don't remember my full opinion on it, sigh.

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  4. Books like this where you could put yourselves in the characters shoes definitely make for thoughtful reads.

    Also, I like titled chapters. I often largely only find them in my MG/YA books, so interesting to hear about it an adult fiction novel.

    Great to see you back!

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    1. I don't read YA often and I have noticed this style more often. Thanks Jade, I am going to try to be back more often.

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  5. I love your review and it has me wanting to read this book too - like you I find it interesting to see the consequences of previous decisions impacting in the future and of course finding out what everyone really thinks

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    1. Hi Cleo, it also added the decision on if you should reveal decisions also. Will it be better left unsaid or should it be said, interesting when dealing with emotions and love.

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