Elly Swartz

Friendship and achieving dreams slams into the difficulties of steering through dark secrets to create a potent tale.

Dani made the team! Finally, practices and baseball camps have paid off, and she's achieved everything she's fought so long for, but that's when disaster strikes. Landing in the hospital, everything Dani has strived for seems lost. Worst, yet, she has no clue that her best friend might be responsible for ruining her life. The uncertainty eats at Eric, and he's determined to figure out the truth. But Dani has enough to deal with, without her best friend constantly reminding her of everything. The weave of secrets grows as their friendship threatens to fall apart.

There is so much to enjoy in these pages. Dani's determination to make the baseball team and the hard work she puts in to achieve her dreams is inspirational. The friendship she shares with Eric is wholesome and demonstrates a wonderful bond. Then, the accident hits with gripping tension and tugs at the gut as the problems begin to unfold, one by one. It's emotional, dramatic, uncertain, and weaves the plot in a grabbing way. Even though some sections were a little slower, there's tons of heart which connects and makes the characters easy to sympathize with.

The complexities of friendship surrounding support, guilt, secrets, and forgiveness come together in a way, which creates thought and draws the emotions out. While this does come across well for the intended age group, it hits an emotional depth, at times, which borders on that of a young adult read. So, this one never talks down to the reader, and does pack emotional punch (without going overboard, though). Tween readers are sure to enjoy these intricacies as well.
I received a DRC and found the emotional weave well done.… (more)

#FirstLine - I didn’t know today would matter.

I loved this book and here is why!!!

Hidden Truths is a captivating and emotionally charged story that explores the complexities of friendship, promises, and the profound impact of secrets and forgiveness.

Told through alternating perspectives, the narrative delves into the close-knit bond between Dani and Eric, two friends who've shared everything since they were kids. Their connection, formed over donuts, comic books, and summer adventures, is put to the test when a life-altering event shakes their world.

The heart of the story revolves around a haunting question: Did Eric play a role in the accident that left Dani with life-altering injuries? This question haunts him, leading to a quest for answers that fuels the narrative's intensity. Dani, however, is grappling with her own pain and isn't ready to confront the past, making her relationship with Eric all the more complicated.

As Eric strives to uncover the truth, the story delves into themes of loyalty, integrity, and the intricate dynamics of friendship. The story masterfully navigates the fine line between seeking justice and potentially betraying another friend.

Hidden Truths is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant tale that explores the sacrifices one makes to keep a promise and the transformative power of forgiveness. Readers are sure to be captivated by the intricate characters, their moral dilemmas, and the gripping storytelling that weaves these hidden truths into a compelling narrative.… (more)