The Hidden Side

Told in a dual perspective, The Hidden Side by Heidi Chiavaroli focuses on both modern day and the past. In the modern day, we follow Natalie Abbott, who offers advice to hurting listeners on her popular radio program. One day, her carefully constructed world implodes when a family member does something unthinkable. In the 1770s, Mercy Howard watches in horror as the man she loves is arrested and hanged as a spy. Soon, she is asked to join a spy ring in order to help the rebels of the American Revolution. Mercy must learn to hide where her true loyalties lie so she does not end up like her lover. The Hidden Side follows two women’s struggles with secrets and shame as they try to figure out how deep God’s love goes.

While reading The Hidden Side, I at first felt really cautious, as a controversial topic is brought up, and I do not wish to spoil anything, but I felt as though Chiavaroli did an excellent job handling the topic, its aftermath, and its effect on family and community. I enjoyed the different perspectives in the book, as each perspective brought more depth to each character, and I liked seeing how each character was different compared than what others thought of them and seeing Mercy’s perspective on her life in the past.