Truth Be Told by Kia Abdullah is an intense and thought provoking novel that centres around the story of Kamran Hadid; a 17 year old student at a prestigious all boys school. From a wealthy and well respected family and destined for Oxford the following year, Kamran's world is ripped apart when after a drunken night he is sexually assaulted. With the help of rape counsellor Zara, Kamran sets about piecing together what happened to him and trying to find a way of coping.

There are some big issues tackled in this book; male rape, homosexuality, control within a Muslim family and the question of consent and whether it must be explicit or can be unspoken. What really constitutes rape?

Its well written, emotional and pacy with real depth to each character within its pages. It challenged my opinions and kept me gripped until the very end. I look forward to reading more from Kia Abdullah in the future :)

Thanks to HQ, Netgalley and Kia for the ARC.

A book of many strands, male rape, masculinity, coming of age, Asian family dynamics.... it covers a lot, I found the book thought provoking but sometimes slow to get through. I guess it depends on how you like your crime and legal books. It did get me thinking about how we treat young men and opened up the dynamics of Asian families in depth.

I was blown away by this book. I haven't read anything by Kia Abdullah before so didn't know what to expect.

Kamran is a 17 year old public schoolboy, shaped by the rules of his all boys public school and also the expectations of his Muslim father; to be better than his white counterparts and not to show any weakness.
Zara is an assault counsellor, having left her high powered job as a lawyer, where she also had to prove she was better than the rest. When Kamran believes he has been raped after a drunken night he turns to Zara to help him get justice.

Through the writing, you feel the struggles and pain of both of the characters as they battle against family expectations and traditions. There were times when I wanted to shout at Kamran's father and mother for how they let him down. The strengths and weaknesses of all characters are exposed throughout this powerful tale. I found I couldn't put this book down once I started reading.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this arc. Take it Back by Kia Abdullah was one of my favourite reads from last year (a knockout pacy thriller about a white girl with a facial disfigurement who’s gang raped by a group of Asian boys, and the racial tension it unleashes), so I was super pumped to read this ☺️
This follows Zara Kaleel - the protagonist of Take it Back, although Truth be Told can also be read as a stand-alone - who works for a charity that support women who’ve been abused and provide legal assistance, is approached by a wealthy Asian 17-year old boy, Kamran. After an end of exams party someone snuck into his room, and had sex with him, but Kamran didn’t give consent, and he woke up feeling violated. However does that constitute rape, when he didn’t say no nor did he resist? With Zara’s support Kamran files a statement and charges are pressed against Finn, the student who raped him. A messy debate ensues, and the reputation of their prestigious boarding school is at risk, too. But who’s telling the truth? What really happened that night?...
This book explores the complicated relationship between consent and sex, in addition to exploring the rarely explored theme (unless it’s in a prison) of male rape. This is grey, murky waters but Abdullah explores these themes well, through compelling characters and tension filled dialogues. Her prose is pacy; she shows and doesn’t tell placing the reader in the character’s head. My favourite parts were scenes from Zara’s and Kamran’s, seeing the effects the decision to pursue a trial has on them both and the toll it takes on their psyche, as they find themselves second guessing their actions and what had happened to them. Their conflict and how torn they were made them both relatable. Abdullah doesn’t directly tell you what to think; or what’s right and wrong.
My only gripe is that at times the pacing was slow, and I felt the POV of Sophie, Kamran’s mother, didn’t add anything new, and this concerned mother’s familiar narrative could’ve been edited down. Also while there were plenty of reveals in the last act of the novel, I did find the ending abrupt (it finished at 93%) and for a second I thought something was wrong with my kindle because the rest of the book hasn’t loaded. This was a similar gripe with Take it Back. I wish the ending for this was fleshed out and Kamran’s fate had been explained because I was confused as to what would happen to him. Unfortunately the story just wasn’t tied up well enough for this to be a completely satisfying read.
Overall though this was a compelling read about the perils of toxic masculinity, and explores themes not often discussed in popular culture. 4/5.

The talented Kia Abdullah follows her brilliant Take It Back with this superb and powerful, emotionally moving, and fascinating courtroom drama and legal thriller on the taboo and disturbing issue of male rape, amidst the background dynamics of family, class, culture and religion. From a wealthy family, the confident and assured Kamran Hadid has a younger brother, Adam. Kamran is an outstanding and well liked student at the exclusive all boys London Hampton boarding school with a glittering future ahead of him, having secured a place at Oxford. However, all this is threatened and his life derailed after what happens at a drunken party. Feeling at a loss, he tries to do the right thing as he looks for help and advice from the troubled assault counsellor, Zara Kaleel. The stage is set for tense and high profile court case.

I was delighted to see the return of Zara, with her difficult family life, along with other characters that we learn more of here. In this narrative of morality and ethics, Abdullah sensitively weaves in the impact and pressures of the norms and expectations that shape what is acceptable when it comes to perceptions of what it is to be a man, within family, culture and religion. How these stereotypes place rigid limitations on male opportunities and possibilities is outlined with skill here. Kamran's home life is far from easy, his father is a difficult character, and his mother is unable to stand up to him, leaving him emotionally unsupported. There are all the repercussions of privilege and wealth on the issues raised, so well observed in the novel, along with all the gritty contemporary realities of the courts when it comes to issues such as rape.

Abdullah is a writer to be treasured, she writes with intelligence, compassion and humanity, creating characters that feel all too real, complicated and authentic that snag our interest with ease, amidst the background of a world and issues that mirror the complexities of our diverse contemporary world. This is often uneasy, heartbreaking and uncomfortable reading given the subject matter, but it is a truly riveting and compulsive reading experience as the reader is immersed in a intense and insightful look at culture, religion, family, wealth and the courts when it comes to male identity, stereotypes, and the issue of male rape. This really is must read fiction that will linger long in the memory after the last page is read. Highly recommended. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.

A thought provoking book about a topic that is still largely taboo. A fair representation of how everyone feels in a very difficult situation with a twist to add at the end

Kia Abdullah is definitely one to watch! She is not afraid to tackle some tough topics - the focus of this one being male rape and the repercussions of that not only on the alleged perpetrator but also on the victim who is a young Muslim boy from a high achieving family. I love how the two books I’ve read have educated me on Muslim communities and the inner workings of a Muslim family in such an engaging way. I can’t wait to read more from her! Thanks to the author, Netgalley and HQ for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, another 5⭐️ Read from Kia Abdullah, I loved book one in this series, and book two is just as gripping and riveting as the first.

Kamran Hadid has his life mapped out before him, he has a place at Oxford, attends an elite all boys school Hamptons along with his younger brother Adam, and is from a wealthy family. Until one night after a drunken party, his life changes forever.

We see Zara Kaleel back again as an assault counsellor, Kamran asks for her help, hoping to sort things out once and for all, confident his life will get back on track. The story cleverly shows how culture can imprison a person, the pressure to be a big tough man, to be masculine at all times. The pressure put on Kamran and Adam by their father gives them no emotional support, their mother Sofia struggles to stand up to her husband. The whole atmosphere within the home is suffocating at times.

I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for a good psychological thriller/ courtroom drama with some twists that will blindside you, cleverly written, riveting and engaging from start to finish, the way the author is able to weave a story about culture/religion and the empathy you feel for these characters is just outstanding.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #HQ for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

This book was well out of my comfort zone covering issues I have no knowledge of. Private school mentality, Asian family dynamics and male rape are all handled sensitively and informatively so you are drawn in without having personal experience of any. You can buy into the protagonists stories and feel for them all. Massive twist at the end I didn't see coming

I haven’t read anything by Kia abdullah before but this book had me hooked from the beginning and it’s still in my thoughts after I’ve finished it - winners for me! This powerful thriller centres around the subject of male rape, so not a light topic and very emotional at times. But Kia abdullah does it so well. The characters were so real and believable that I was invested in it from very early on and struggled to put it down. Her style of writing is very compelling, she builds suspense and makes it such a page turner. This book raises so many topical issues - race, culture, gender and does so brilliantly. It is certainly a thought provoking book and I would absolutely recommend it!

Truth Be Told is unputdownable. You cannot but feel compelled to read it in one sitting once you start. It's relevant, eye-opening and thought-provoking. It's a novel that lingers in your conscious long after you've finished it.

I was so excited for this copy because I loved Kia Abdulla’s book ‘Take It Back’. This is another courtroom thriller and certainly not disappointing! I had a bit of trouble getting into the story but as soon as I was in it I thought it was very good. Even though the storyline is similar to her first book, a very different perspective has been used. I am definitely a fan!

This was essentially a very sad book. I read it quickly as I enjoy courtroom dramas. Entitled teenaged boys and their familial influences were realistically portrayed. Good reveal at the end too. If you're looking for a happy this is not the book for you. Recommended.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was completely hooked from the start and couldn't wait to get to the final conclusion. A definite recommendation.

An absolutely amazing read! I have never read a book by Kia Abdullah before but I will definitely be reading again. I was hooked right from the start.

Legal thrillers are a pretty new genre for me but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It focuses on how life can change with just one wrong move and a life of wealth and privilege which is already mapped out can be lost. Sensitive topic natures were handled carefully and the book was very well written.

Truth Be Told follows Kamran, a young student from London who attends an elite boarding school and has won a place at Oxford. The one day, his world comes crashing down...

When I approached this novel, I wasn't aware that is was a sequel. I don't think you need to read its predecessor to enjoy it, although having read the reviews and judging by this story, I will definitely be reading Take It Back.

This is a difficult story to read, definitely not a light summer read, as it deals with sensitive topics that some may find upsetting. However, this is done in a respectful manner and makes sense within the story.

The ending was bittersweet.

Disclosure: I'd like to thank the publisher for my advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

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This was an exceptional and thought provoking book which delved deep into Muslim taboos, the desire to assimilate and their social and family mores all wrapped around a deep and sensitively told story of sexual assault and rape.

This was a heady brew which could have come apart except that the author is gifted and seemed to be speaking from the heart.

The main characters are well drawn and entirely credible and you ached for poor Kamran Hadid, a young man with the world seemingly at his feet until it all turns sour for him.

feels invincible. He attends Hampton school, an elite all-boys boarding school in London, he comes from a wealthy family, and he has a place at Oxford next year. The world is at his feet. And then a night of revelry leads to a drunken encounter and he must ask himself a horrific question.

I have not read the first Zara Kaleel book but will certainly seek it out now - and as for the last minute twist.....

I love this author, the last book had me hooked, and as a result I’m now a huge fan. I couldn’t put this book down.
It is an absolutely fantastic read

I have seen the other reviews for this book, mostly five stars, but I have to be honest, I struggled to get in to this one and had I not been sent an ARC to review I am not sure if I would have stuck with it.
This is the story of a male rape that happens in a British boarding school. Needless to say some of it is hard to read, it it’s good for a novel to tackle male rape at the same time. Telling the story that there isn’t as much help and support out there for male victims of rape than female. The court case keeps the reader guessing what the verdict will be and the ending was not as I expected.

Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a gritty story, the story of male rape. A brilliant and yet sad read from start to finish. Kamran Hadid, a 17 year old boy is at boarding school when one night he returned to his room, drunk after attending a party. Next thing, through his drunken stupor, he feels somebody in bed with him and has sex with him. He is shocked in the morning to see it is a fellow classmate.
What follows, is Kamran agony, of reporting it, the attitude of his strict muslim father and his younger brother and school friends. Zara a barrister, who has her own demons to deal with, helps him through this. Not many novels have an impact on me, but this was so realistic and you are drawn into the story. This is a must read.