I was looking forward to this book, having enjoyed the first in the series. I worked in a school with high percentage of Indian and Pakistani pupils and was so aware of the conflicts they faced between their school lives and home where the culture and norms were completely different in some cases. We were also used to young girls disappearing, sometimes for weeks, when they were being matched up for arranged marriages. In all honesty though, most of the older girls in 6th form seemed to be quite happy with this. The insight into the cultural backgrounds of the characters is on of things I like most about these books.
If I'm honest, I liked the first book better. I felt that the ending of this one was quite frustrating and stretched credibility, although I admit that as a non Muslim I might be wrong in this opinion.
Zara is a great character and I hope we meet her again.

The Hadids are an ''effortful'' family. Flowers are sent for the slightest problem or achievement: letters are sent to thank and this prompts a phone call in return. There are two sons of the family, seventeen-year-old Kamran and sixteen-year-old Adam. Their mother, Sofia, regrets that she didn't name them the other way round: 'Adam and Kamran' trips off the tongue so much more easily than 'Kamran and Adam'. Sofia worries about that sort of thing. Both boys go to the prestigious Hampton school, where they board, despite the school being less than ten miles from their Belsize Park home. Kamran has a place at Oxford next year and all seemed to be going well until the night when he was raped.

Kamran shouldn't have been at the party: he was going to his friend's home in the Cotswolds but the party there was cancelled. The Hadid's weren't a raucous Asian family - a friend described them as more 'clenched' and whilst Kamran warned his younger brother not to drink too much at the school party he disregarded his own advice and staggered back to bed in West Lawn in the early hours of the morning. He was dimly aware of something happening a little later but woke the following morning to find Finn Anderson in bed with him. Kamran finally contacted a rape support adviser and then the Metropolitan Police.

The school would, of course, have preferred that they'd been able to deal with this 'internally'. Kamran interpreted this as meaning that there would have been an enquiry and it would have been found that Finn had no case to answer with the whole episode being put down to youthful, drunken high jinx. That wasn't what Kamran wanted and it isn't what Zara Kaleel, his counsellor, wanted either. It's going to end up in court.

There's no requirement for vengeance from Kamran - he simply wants justice to be done. He's in a difficult situation at home. His father can't deal with it and wishes that it had been handled by the school. It's not that he's not supporting Kamran - he loves him dearly - but he just wishes that everything would go away. And Sofia Hadid just doesn't do empathy. Finn Anderson is no better off: his parents are also wealthy but they're in Switzerland at the moment. They do assure him that they would come back if it was necessary.

Zara Kaleel wishes that Muslims came with a barometer so that you could gauge just how liberal they are. She's a fugitive from an arranged marriage - which led to her father issuing a death threat. Even her best friend, Safran, is strangely illiberal on certain subjects. Religion lends a murkiness to the case, but Zara's problem is simply that within her community she's a girl - and thus a ''half-formed thing''.

In essence, though, the nub of the case is simple, if not straightforward. It revolves around consent. Kamran did not say 'no' to Finn, but neither did he say 'yes'. Does the failure to give a positive indication of willingness have the same effect as a definite negative statement? The subject is handled with sensitivity but very thoroughly. It will make you think.

I guessed one of the twists at the end of the book, but I definitely missed the full corkscrew, despite all the clues being there. A superb read. I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy.

I loved take it back and I loved this! The amazing Zara is back and this time is helping a male victim of alleged rape from another boy. Such amazing characters and such an incredible story that keeps you guessing. Love love it!

I wasn’t sure about this book but once I started reading I couldn’t put it down. Such an emotive subject and written with such sensitivity. The story really tugged at your soul. Would definitely recommend.

When it comes to reading about ethnic minorities and crime Kia is your author! Once again, she has written a great page turner giving us the story of Kamran and all his trouble in a world where he's expected to be the star no matter what happens. I loved Truth Be Told and I can't wait for everyone else to read it!

My full review will be published on www.bibliophoenix.wordpress.com a week before publication day.

The question of consent versus rape is dealt with sensitively with a heartbreaking outcome. I didn’t see the end coming.
Kamran Hamid is seventeen and attends an elite boarding school , he’s a high achiever destined for a bright future.
One evening, following an alcohol fuelled party, he claims he has been raped. He is subsequently supported by Zara Kaleel, a counsellor with issues of her own. His parents won’t accept what has happened, his father in particular feels that he should have fought back.
The outcome of the court case leads to even more devastating consequences.

Public schoolboy Kamran Hadid returns drunk to his room. Another pupil enters, gets into his bed and initiates sex. Kamran doesn't resist, but is mortified when he wakes. He seeks the help of Zara Kaleel and a rape case is brought...

A tense and compelling legal thriller. Very well written and realistic, with a twisty ending. I felt involved and transported.

Beware of spoilers to the first book in the Zara Kaleel series 'Take it Back''..

This book was way out of my comfort zone and didn't appeal to me, I am sure I will be in the minority but I am sorry I didn't read it until the end.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Wow what a story! So pleased I have found Kia Abdullah. This legal thriller had me hooked early on and held me to the very end. This is a court room thrilled that is thought provoking, vivid and engaging. The characters were well told and the story kept me guessing. Would highly recommend.

I wouldn’t have expected this book to be what it is till you actually read it! The way the story talks of the Asian community especially as males and rape. It really makes you think as you read it.

Truth Be Told is an exceptional piece of writing. Former barrister turned advocate for abused women, Zara, takes up the case of Kamran, a 17 year old Asian schoolboy. The subject matter is most thought-provoking involving Muslim attitudes to homosexuality and a subsequent trial which becomes a case of he said/he said, so familiar to women. The twist at the end is a shocking and unexpected one.

Truth Be Told should be read by both adolescents and adults and I highly recommend it. Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book will stay with me forever. There are so many issues being addressed- honour of an Islamic family and prestigious school, if you don't actually say 'no', does that mean it is consensual? Does that mean you have to gain permission for every kiss or touch?
How would it be viewed for a Muslim to come out as gay?
The writer does a wonderful job of making you question the values you thought you were so clear about, while intricately weaving it into a wonderfully gripping courtroom drama.

Having read Kia Abdullah's previous book, Take It Back, I was keen to read this one too. It takes up the story of Zara Kaleel, advocate for victims of abuse, shortly after the events of the previous book. This time she gets involved in a different case - that of 17 year-old Kamran Hadid, a private schoolboy who accuses a fellow student of rape after a drunken party.
The book is intense and gripping. The subject matter is obviously pretty heavy, but it is thought-provoking, exploring issues such as what constitutes consent and Muslim attitudes to homosexuality.
It kept me reading, and there is a twist at the end which, for me, worked perfectly in that I didn't see it coming and yet once I knew about it, it seemed so obvious.
While this book can be read as a stand-alone book, it does contain spoilers for Take It Back, so I would advise reading that book first.

I went into this book with no preconceptions or expectations, having never heard of the author. I’m pleased to say that I was pleasantly surprised with a good read. This is the second book in a series about former barrister turned women’s advocate Zara Kaleel.
The book reads like a lukewarm legal thriller, not too loud. I found myself investing in the main characters, and enjoyed learning bits about Zara and the Hadid family. I would recommend this book heartily to friends and fellow book lovers. Unfortunately the only thing holding back this book was the terrible formatting problems it has. I noticed several brainless spelling errors and syntax faux-pas. Maybe these will be ironed out in time for the publication of this book and I surely hope so.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This book is incredible! The characters where very relatable and the storyline was heartbreaking and felt very true! This is the type of book every teen should read and understand and know how these small mistakes can change a life. I loved the twist at the end and didn't want the book to finish.

I am not sure what to say about this book other than it was so good. I cannot imagine being brought up in an atmosphere of such precision and duty to the point that you cannot be yourself. It opened my eyes to a lot of things although I did know the Asian community’s views on all many of things that some of us perhaps take as read and we accept easily. Kamran came from a very stoic family and sent to an excellent boarding school which involved him being on a path of stardom so far as his parents and school masters were concerned. A time of a lapse of concentration fuelled by alcohol changed his life forever and still his father particularly did not want to lose face and forced him into a situation which ended his entire path to greatness. Kamran was very strong when it came to this issue and took the matter to the police and Court to be thwarted at every turn which made him doubt himself and everyone around him causing him to take a path of no return. I felt heartsore for him and eventually his brother who was slightly pushed out of the limelight of this case of male rape and it transpires somewhat involved. The ending of the book was heart rendering and it must be read by people so that they are more tolerant of all things and we can then be treated as equals. Again a fab book albeit very sad.

Thanks to Netgalley for the loan of this book.
I loved Kia's first book so was really looking forward to this and it most definitely did not disappoint. The story begins with a young Asian lad who attends a private school for boys, along with his younger brother. After a night of partying and heavy drinking he falls drunkenly into bed but later becomes aware that someone has climbed into bed with him. Too drunk to fully realise what is happening he doesnt try to stop the horror that is taking place. I'll leave the rest to the imagination but I'm sure you can guess what occurs. Filled with shame and anger the morning after, he confronts his "attacker" who merely shrugs off his anger, leading him to go to the police, and to later seek assistance from a lawyer who is the main character of this book, and her previous one. What follows is such a complex tale of emotions I couldn't stop reading it. Its much more than just a "does justice prevail" storyline it goes much deeper than that. Reaching into the complexities of the older family members bigotry and shame at what others opinions would be if the real truth was to surface, these out of date values ultimately lead to the event happening in the first place. Its genius the way it transpires, leading to one emotion after the other. This is a fantastic book and I enjoyed it more than the first which was unexpected. I was not expecting the shock ending either! Outstanding second book! Go and buy it now.

Gritty, modern courtroom drama. It delves into inequalities in our society. Differences in culture and how this affects our life choices. The intricacies of family life and how we keep secrets often due to fear. Very topical and forthright.

I found this book to be very enjoyable. The plot and characters are interesting. I liked the story and I would reccomend others to have a read.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
Truth be Told is the second book by Kia Abdullah and is a haunting, intricate story with many twists and turns. The storyline is straightforward enough and deals with the issue of male rape. The accused is of Norwegian descent and the victim is a Muslim, both are pupils at a top boarding school.
The book looks closely at the boys family members and how both families react to the forthcoming trial. It is in the aftermath of the trial that tragedy happens and life for all three boys will never be the same.
Highly recommended.