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    Hidden (Sisters of the Heart, Book 1)
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    Hidden (Sisters of the Heart, Book 1)
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    Hidden (Sisters of the Heart, Book 1)
    Ebook235 pages3 hours

    Hidden (Sisters of the Heart, Book 1)

    By Shelley Shepard Gray

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    When Anna decides it's time to leave her abusive boyfriend, she doesn't know where to turn. Rob has completely won over her parents, and the entire community, with his good looks and smooth charm. Only Anna has seen his dark side.

    Desperate, she runs to the only place she's ever felt completely safe—the Amish Brenneman Bed and Breakfast, where Anna met life-long friend Katie Brenneman. The family welcomes her in, and with few questions asked allows her to stay, dressed in Plain clothing, and help around the inn.

    Katie's older brother Henry is the only one who doesn't take too kindly to the intrusion. He tries to ignore Anna, knowing no good would ever come from caring for an Englisher like her. But as he gets to know Anna, he discovers her good heart and is surprised with her readiness to accept their lifestyle.

    The more time Anna spends with the Amish, the more she feels she's found a true home. But how can she deny the life she left behind? And will her chance for happiness be stolen away by the man from her past?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateJul 1, 2008
    ISBN9780061732683
    Unavailable
    Hidden (Sisters of the Heart, Book 1)
    Author

    Shelley Shepard Gray

    Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

    Read more from Shelley Shepard Gray

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    Reviews for Hidden (Sisters of the Heart, Book 1)

    4/5

    22 ratings22 reviews

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    • 4/5
      52 Books 52 Weeks, Week 14.2014

      Listened to whisper-sync on my kindle. I do wish the narration would have had male voices for those parts of the story.

      Could be a good book club book: Are some things better left hidden? Does the death open more questions than can be answered? Is one brother more of a cad than the other?

      Interesting for the author to include social media and what happens after a death and how loved ones must attempt to access accounts especially when the death is unexpected.





    • 3/5
      This book was okay. I actually received it by mistake due to a shipping error and was able to keep it. I'm unsure whether I would have purchased it otherwise. Anyway it wasn't that bad really. It was quite an easy read. I didn't enjoy the writing style much as it was told from different peoples perspective. I would have liked the name of the person at the top of the page in order to identify who's chapter I was reading. I couldn't identify with the characters either, I found them quite annoying at times - Especially Tish.
    • 4/5
      What did I think? I think that this book isn't rated as highly as it should be because of the way it ended. And for the record, I didn't like the ending either. As a matter of fact, I had a love/hate relationship with this book. I didn't like the way it jumped from one character to the next w/o ever knowing who I was reading about until a sentence or two into the chapter and the subject matter is never an easy one but overall, I liked the book. I felt that it was fairly easy to read and it kept my attention.The story alternates between Claire, Jeff & Tish as the narrators. Walking home from work one day, Jeff is hit by a car and killed. Claire is his wife and Tish is a co-worker. The story told goes back as far as Jeff and Claire dating to 3wks past the funeral. The ending still has me a little angry.I got this book as a #payabookforward promotion started by Catherine McKenzie herself so I will now pass the book on to someone else.
    • 5/5
      Tags: Contemporary Fiction, Problem Solving, 'Clue'Summary: A fresh twist on an old classic of who did what and to whom. right from the start you have to start thinking who killed who and with a death early on in the story it makes for a great read. It involves sex, lies, death, romance, and even cross romance between others outside of the main characters marriage.Personal Reaction: i was honestly blown away by this book and cannot wait for her next installment to be released. I'm not a fan of the sex and such, but they way she involved it with the killings and how to figure out who did what and who you can really trust, it really is a nail bitter.Extension Ideas: One that you would want to keep reserved for that certain age, maturity level, education level, level of respect for this type of reading.
    • 4/5
      I won this book from Goodreads. It was an interesting book that was very realistic. You could easily see the relationship between Jeff and Tish occurring in an office environment. I liked how the book was told through the eyes of Jeff, Tish and Claire and how you really didn't know what happened until the very end. This book would definitely spark a lot of good conversations at a book club.
    • 4/5
      Life is complicated and messy, and nothing reveals that to be more true than an unexpected death. In Catherine McKenzie's book, HIDDEN, Jeff Manning dies after being hit by a car, and two woman find themselves crumbling as they deal with their grief after the accident. Claire, Jeff's wife, is understandably distraught--but so is Jeff's co-worker, Tish.HIDDEN tells the stories behind Jeff's relationships with both women, and the inclusion of Jeff's voice in the alternating perspectives as well as Tish's and Claire's enhances the novel wonderfully. It allows Jeff to be a much more sympathetic character than the story might otherwise permit.Catherine McKenzie writes well, makes us care about all of her imperfect characters, and shows us that a complicated and messy life can be a good one. It's a good reminder that everybody has a story, and that story should never be viewed in black and white.
    • 4/5
      A story that starts with the death of a man. We get tangled into a web of who is with whom? There are children involved, and a funeral to plan. Family, yes all kinds of family.The wife has had a previous relationship with her husband’s brother. You begin to wonder if it is still going on? Has it ever stopped? Now the husband you will feel sorry for, whom does he wife love? Is there a question?Then we have the other woman, she is also a wife and mother. Will she forsake all and everything for a liaison? You will wonder right to the last page.We even have the dead man, telling his side of the story, along with his wife, and maybe mistress. The story circles around and back again, and we see the same thing happen from three sides.I've read Catherine McKenzie's books before, and this one does not disappoint! Get ready for one heart in your throat action, and keep the tissue box handy!I received this book through the Publisher HMH New Harvest, through Net Galley, and was not required to give a positive review.
    • 5/5
      Got this from NetGalley, but also had an advance copy from the Times book table. Good thing, since the Kindle review copy is no longer authorized and was permanently deleted. I liked the author's first book Spin, and liked this so much I purchased her 2 other novels. McKenzie is Canadian, but there's no Canadian sense of place; the book is set in 2 generic Springfields. Accountant Jeff Manning works for a corporation in Springfield, and strikes up a friendship with HR person Tish from the "other Springfield" branch. The book is narrated alternately by these 2 and Jeff's wife Claire. Jeff is struck by a car and killed at the beginning of the book (spoiler?), but speaks from the dead. This isn't as weird as it sounds. It's unclear until the very end if Jeff and Tish (who is also married) are just colleagues, emotionally attached, or having a physical affair. This uncertainty, along with the use of modern electronic sleuthing devices, keep things interesting as the plot moves back and forth in time. Complicating matters, Claire's old boyfriend was Jeff's older, estranged brother Tim. Once this got going, I couldn't put it down.
    • 4/5
      Catherine McKenzie is well known for writing about life and the complexity of relationships. HIDDEN is her fourth novel and it’s a complex story about a man and the two women in his life who struggle in the aftermath of his death.We have good character development. Despite having three main protagonists (and even one that dies early on), we get to know each of them well enough. Jeff is an accountant who returns to live in his hometown after college. He loves golf and in many ways comes off as carefree. His wife, Claire, is a lawyer turned daycare owner and while we don’t get to really know her, we do get enough to form an idea of who she is. I really liked Claire and despite a few bumps in the road with Jeff, you can tell she loved him. Then we have Trish who is Jeff’s co-worker and I found it difficult to warm up to her because you can tell she’s a bit unhappy with her life. I won’t go into details because I don’t want to ruin the story. We have a few secondary characters who play a vital role including Claire’s sister Beth and Jeff’s brother Tim. It’s Tim that I wish we knew better and at times wanted a Tim narrative so we’d know his thoughts.Narrative is first person and HIDDEN is told by three different viewpoints: Jeff, Claire, and Trish’s. All three are trustworthy narrators and even though some questions don’t get answered, it’s okay because in real life we don’t get answers sometimes. Of all three narratives, I really liked Jeff’s and despite the fact that he’s missing from the general picture, he does tell us enough that we get to know the full story. While McKenzie doesn’t state whose narrative it is, it’s pretty easy to follow. I know some readers have stated their confusion, but the narrative basically went: Jeff, Claire, Trish and repeat. At no point does McKenzie deviate from this. I will admit that I found Trish’s narrative the least interesting. It was hard to empathize with her and at times wanted this to be the Jeff and Claire story, but I did like having Trish’s viewpoint because it does enhance the experience and clarifies some questions.What I really liked about HIDDEN is how it makes you think about your own relationships with people and question if you truly know them. If Gillian Flynn’s GONE GIRL taught us to be wary of a significant other and their motives, then McKenzie’s HIDDEN teaches us that we keep secrets even from our loved ones. Also, there’s a particular scene regarding Jeff’s funeral where both Claire and Trish have a different reaction to a story Jeff tells them from his past. Recently, I found myself at a memorial service where everyone told some wonderful stories about the deceased and it made me wish I knew him. Of course, I had just read that scene from HIDDEN a few days earlier and thought what a lovely idea Jeff had. I did find myself thinking that it is a pity that most stories told at a funeral, the deceased never hears them and that’s why I really liked Jeff’s idea.I debated with the rating between a three and a four and ultimately decided on a four because I really liked how McKenzie left some things unanswered. Sure we all want answers, but in real life not everything gets addressed. I also enjoyed how McKenzie set things up by having Jeff involved. It would have easy to leave him out and have Claire and Trish carry the narrative, but just adored getting to know Jeff and liked his storytelling. His fears regarding Claire and Tim are justified and at times I wished he had hashed things out with Tim. Though I couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps both Jeff and Claire settled especially when you take into account why Jeff returns home and why Claire didn’t follow Tim. This why I liked HIDDEN because the questions you have as a reader, Tim, Claire, and even Trish have at some point.Overall, Catherine McKenzie’s HIDDEN is a page turner and when you’re done you’ll look at the world a little differently. A bit of warning: HIDDEN does deal with adultery and I’m not going to go into detail nor spoil the book for you by confirming or denying if there’s indeed infidelity. For those who are bothered by adultery or even a hint of it, I issue this warning so you’re aware of the possibility. I’m looking forward to reading her backlist and have my eye on FORGOTTEN which I can’t wait to start.
    • 4/5
      I love reading Catherine McKenzie's books. I enjoy her style of writing. I really like books that have various narrators and this was no exception. The book is narrated by Jeff, Tish and Claire. Jeff is killed in a car accident while walking home from work. Claire is Jeff's grieving wife who once dated Jeff's brother. Then there's Tish. She is supposedly Jeff's coworker and friend, but grieves for him like a mistress. I tered up when Jeff's young son, Seth, speaks at his funeral. It was so heartwarming, until you realize where he got the poem. I was fine until I got to the Epilogue and then I despised Jeff and Tish.Why Tish and Jeff bothered me so much: - They both had loving families. Their spouses never suspected a thing. They both had amazing children. - Tish assumes the role of grieving widow and shows up at Jeff's funeral and goes to his house so she can get one last whiff of him. - The only reaon Tish doesn't tell Claire the whole truth is not because of Jeff. She doesn't want to ruin what she has with her husband. - Jeff was truly despicable. His wife suffers from depression and he never notices. He sees his brother kissing her and he acts like she is having an affair. (Meet kettle) - Jeff really never gets over the fact that Claire dated his brother. He was fully aware of this when he met Claire. - I don't think the affair Tish and Jeff were having really would have ended if Jeff wasn't accidently killed. The emotional affair/connection that Tish and Jeff had was worse than their time on the golf courseI loved this book and can't wait to read Catherine McKenzie's next book.
    • 5/5
      "But, of course, everyone has regrets. Loose ends. Things they could do if they had more time." (Hidden, ebook pg 103)Catherine McKenzie has spun a tale that is still resonating with me. She wrote what is was like to have to face a loss and to make life work under a new and uncarted set of circumstances. When Claire loses her husband, Jeff, expectedly her life is turned upside down. But, when she has an encounter with one of Jeff's co-worker at Jeff's funeral her life takes another unexpected detour down a road she may wished she never explored. "I've spent a lot of time thinking about this, too much probably, and I don't think that bad actions erase good ones. Not really." (Hidden, ebook pg 278)We all too often just go along with life, not wanting to upset the order of things. Not really wanting to discovering what may lie ahead. Hidden explores what happens when people make choices, how each choice affects others in ways we may never had intended. How we, at times, are forces to move ahead and take the reins in our own new reality. "That I'd been letting life act itself out on me when I should have been directing it." (Hidden, ebook pg 139)How many of us wish we could go back and unlearn something that was completly unexpected and rocks our world to the core. Hidden explores what is the best about literature; human relationships at their best and worst, complexities in marriages, the impact of loss and how every action has a consequence. "Everyone says that, but we all lie about things. Little things, big things. We all keep stuff hidden. And the longer you're with someone, the more stuff there is like that, I think. That doesn't mean he didn't love me, or wasn't good to me in other ways. So it made me think. Maybe honesty is isn't always the best policy. Because him telling me about it was selfish. The only person it was going to make feel any better was him. So maybe if you make a mistake, you have to live with it by yourself, and that's how you fix it." (Hidden, ebook pg 278)5 stars!!!!
    • 3/5
      picked up as part of the Kindle First program. I'm all for free reading, especially if I don't have to drive to the library to get it at the moment. It is not a bad novel, and I enjoyed it, sort of, at any rate. But it didn't really capture my interest and I found none of the characters compelling. The story about a man who dies suddenly, and the interlayering of his reminiscences with those of his wife and another woman with whom he has an intense relationship has a lot of potential. The problem for me was that the individual voices didn't really all seem that distinct, and the characters were not fully developed, although perhaps that was the point. They all seemed like unrealized people who just happened into their lives through no fault of their own. I felt no emotional connection to any of them.
    • 5/5
      Catherine McKenzie weaves a tale of secrets kept in her latest book HIDDEN. Jeff Manning is hit by a car while walking home from work and leaves two women devastated. One, his wife Claire, is left to struggle with this unimaginable loss while at the same time helping their son Seth find his way through his own suffering. The other, Jeff’s co-worker Julie, is faced with hiding her grief and at the same time burying her secret before anyone discovers it. Written in the voices of main characters Jeff, Claire, and Tish, this book is brimming with emotion and excitement. Even though Jeff dies at the beginning of the book, his explanations interposed in this way, bring clarity to the story. HIDDEN is about the complexity of relationships – good, bad, and everything in between. I am an ardent fan of Catherine McKenzie, and have read all of her fabulous books. HIDDEN is a masterpiece! It is carefully crafted with a story line and characters that left me mesmerized. HIDDEN is a book you will carry with you everywhere you go until you read the last words. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a truly absorbing read. I give it five stars.
    • 5/5
      Epic!What a story!This is a vivid and real peek into the lives of people torn apart by death. The people left behind trying to pick up the pieces, who are never the same again. This story is centered around all the people affected when one person passes. As people, we automatically think of the family, spouses, even friends left behind. But what about if that person leaves a mistress or lover behind? Granted it is a wrong act, but are they not entitled to feel the pain in death? This book goes there. It takes you there and shows you how they feel, and leaves you empathetic.That shows how fantastic and talented the writer is.To bring a reader, like me, into a story with a subject they are dead-set against and yet turn them into an empathetic person, while keeping them transfixed on the book, is talent! I don't agree with cheating and infidelity, and I won't condone it ever, but I can see all sides now. And yes, there is another side.
    • 5/5
      The Good Stuff Natural born storyteller - to me anyone who can write a novel that has me wanting to ignore everything around me is truly gifted. McKenzie is truly the type of author that doesn't disappoint. Characters are real, warts and all. These are people you know and feel for Great for book club discussions No black and white, these are realistic characters with real problems that you will relate too Uncomfortable, yet makes you think and want to make changes Feels deeply personal Couldn't put it down, even-though its usually the kind of book I don't enjoy Almost like a mystery at times, you don't know what really happened until the very end Hope and forgiveness main theme of story I felt and understood all of the characters and while not always agreeing with the choices they made, I can see how they would make the decisions they did (even Brian) Makes your heart burst at times Really delves into whether honesty really is the best policy. The truth doesn't always set you freeThe Not So Good Stuff Not a lot of light moments - which is something I seem to need and even more so since McKenzie does this so very well I really didn't like Brian and found him to be pushy and intense OMG I think McKenzie hates Rush - that is soooo UnCanadian ROFL : ) (Not really a bad thing but had to mention for fun)Favorite Quotes/Passages"It itches where it meets my collerbone, but that seems fitting somehow. I don't want to feel comfortable on the day of Jeff's funeral.""Everyone says that, but we all lie about things. Little things, big things. We all keep stuff hidden. And the longer you're with someone, the more stuff there is like that, I think.""But how are you supposed to feel, really, when all your worst fears, things you'd never even imagined could happen, acutually do happen, actually do come true?Hearts don't come with an owner's manua.Someone should do something about that."4.5 Dewey'sI received this from the author in exchange for an honest review
    • 4/5
      I've been a fan of Canadian author Catherine McKenzie from book one. She's just released her fourth book - Hidden. I never know what to expect when I start one of her books - all four have been completely different reads. What I do know is that I'm going to enjoy it. What if you died unexpectedly? What if there were secrets you were keeping? What would happen then.... "...we all lie about things. Little things, big things. We all keep stuff hidden. And the longer you're with someone, the more stuff there is like that..." McKenzie explores that premise in Hidden. Jeff Manning is struck and killed by a car one night. This unexpected loss leaves two women grieving - his wife Claire.....and his co worker Tish. Hidden is told in those three voices, with Jeff recounting his life with his wife and his...relationship... with Tish. We are privy to Claire's grief and her memories of their life together. And we get to know Tish and her family as well. (Sharp eyes will be able to tell whose chapter it is by the font used in the first line) McKenzie's exploration of the dynamics of these relationships is incredibly well drawn. The sense of grief both women feel is palpable and beautifully written. My heart broke for Jeff's son Seth as he attempted to deal with his father's death. I initially expected to dislike Tish, given that she is 'the other woman'. But is she? When is a line crossed? I found my thoughts on each character and their choices changing with every new chapter and revelation revealed. Although the main focus is these three characters, Catherine also explores the relationships between family members, friends and workmates as well. Tim and his brother Jeff have one of the most difficult of all. McKenzie does an impressive job writing from a male perspective. Actually, it was all impressive. I was caught up in the story and characters from the first page. The ending caught me totally unawares - and had me rethinking what I had read. Catherine McKenzie has written a very real, insightful and powerful novel exploring the complex and complicated relationships that shape our lives. This would be a fantastic selection for a book club. Another fantastic novel from a very talented author. I can't wait to see what she comes up with for book number five!
    • 3/5
      Gray explores the Amish way of life in her many of her books, such as theses series: Sisters of the Heart, Seasons of Sugarcreek, and Families of Honor. I have enjoyed exploring her writing in two of the series. Both series present a simple formula for the story with mild characters and simplistic setting. The main emphasis in each book is family and the power of God. In this story, Anna runs away from her "English" life of modern day comforts and possessions to hide from a cruel boyfriend. Anna runs to the Brenneman Amish Bed and Breakfast and adopts the Amish way of life while hiding. Anna also falls in love with Henry, the son of the inn's owners. In the conclusion of the story, Anna must choose her path, but with God's guidance.
    • 4/5
      I love reading stories about the Amish lifestyle. I especially love the storis where the Amish and English worlds collide. This story clearly showed the differences between the two cultures but also how they could blend together. Rob is a really bad guy who wants to control everything possible. Yet I can totally see why it took so long for Anna to get away from him. With his smooth talk, he's a wolf in sheep's clothing. It's a completely realistic portrayal of an abusive relationship and why it's so tough for women to get help. Even when they do cry out for help, if someone doesn't want to see the wrong in someone they will turn a blind eye. I really didn't understand why the Brenneman's turned a cold shoulder to Anna's problems. Yes she did bring her issues and situation to their peaceful community the way Henry and his parents were acting seemed like she was in the wrong for running away and trying to get help. Did they want her to stay in the relationship and get hurt even more? I hope not, but that was the reaction that I got from them. The only complaint I had about this book was that it was a little short. I felt like there could have been more told about Anna and Henry's growing relationship plus expounding on how she was going to switch over to the Amish lifestyle. I am looking very forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love stories about the Amish lifestyle, be sure to pick up this outstanding debut.
    • 5/5
      Why have I NOT read this series yet?! I can't believe there is an Amish series out there that I have NOT read! Somebody yell at me please! Oh my goodness! I LOVE Shelley's work with her Seasons of Sugarcreek series but man oh man....her first book, Hidden, in her first series, Sisters of the Heart,was phenomenal. Utterly phenomenal. She captured me from the first page of the prologue and held me until the final sentence of the last page. In Hidden, Ms. Gray takes so many emotions, from hurt and abuse, to hope and understanding, and combines them into one fabulous book. Anna was a wonderful character. She was instantly a part of me and I felt her struggles like my own. And sweet, sweet Henry, bless his heart, he was a wonderfully amazing character,too. The secondary characters of this novel really added flavor to the story but not overbearingly so. This book was wonderful! I can't say that enough! Through a touchy subject of abuse, and the incredible love of the Amish, Ms. Gray weaves her story of Anna and Henry with vivid detail and care. She mixes Gods redeeming love and mercy through out making this a fantabulous 5 star novel (though I would give it a thousand more!) that NO ONE should miss! If you aren't already a fan of Shelley Shepard Gray, then please, don't hesitate to start with this book in her first series....if you are a fan of Shelley Shepard Gray and haven't read Hidden yet, then I must HIGHLY recommend that you do! I can't wait to dive into book 2 in this beautiful series, Wanted.
    • 5/5
      Anna has left Rob, her abusive boyfriend. She cannot ask her parents for help because Rob has convinced them he is a sweet and loving man. She knows her parents will call Rob and tell him where she is hiding. Anna turns to her Amish friend, Katie and her family for help. She shows up on the door of the Brenneman Bead and Breakfast, suitcase in hand and asks for refuge. She knows Rob will stop at nothing to find her so, to blend in, she begins dressing in Amish clothing, and helping around the inn.Katie's family welcomes Anna, except for Katie's older borhter, Henry. He says that Anna has put his family in danger by coming to the inn.Anna soon realizes she has falling in love with Henry and Henry soon admits he has fallen for the beautiful Englisher.When Rob discovers where Anna is hiding he shows up at the inn, intent on bringing her home where she belongs. Anna is willing to go with Rob in order to protect her family and friends but Henry has other ideas.This is a great read. I could barely put it down.
    • 4/5
      This was an enjoyable story. Anna finds herself fleeing her abusive but influential boyfriend Rob. She can't turn to her parents because they don't believe Rob is as bad as Anna makes him out to be. So Anna flees to where no one would look for her - her Amish friend, Katie, who helps her family run the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast. Anna is welcomed by the whole family, except for Katie's oldest brother Henry, who doesn't take kindly to her intruding upon them and possibly putting them in danger. Anna adopts the Plain clothing and lifestyle around her as she "hides out" and begins to feel she has truly found a true home. Can Henry trust his heart to her, or will she grow tired of the Amish way and leave? And will Anna's chance for true happiness be taken away when the man she is running from catches up with her.Although there weren't alot of surprises to this story, I still enjoyed it. I enjoyed the Brenneman family and how the took in and helped out someone who was not Amish. You usually read how an Amish person leaves to become "worldly", but in this story someone sees how much they enjoy the slower pace and the fewer "things" they truly need to be content and happy and want to join the Amish community.I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
    • 4/5
      Hidden by Shelley Shepard Gray is the inspiring story of a young woman, Anna, on the run from an abusive relationship and a life she is not proud of. She seeks refuge with an old friend who is Amish and hides out at her friend's family's bed and breakfast. While there, she adapts easily to their simple ways and their work ethic. Anna falls in love with the Amish way of life and ultimately decides to alter her life's journey and become Amish. There is a touch of G rated romance as Anna also finds love with her friend's brother. The book is a very sweet, simple story and a quick, easy read. While I would consider the book religious fiction, the references to God and praying are relatively few and not overpowering. Reading the book sparked in me an interest in learning more about the Amish and their customs. I look forward to reading more about Anna and the rest of the Brenneman family in the continuation of the series. 4 stars.