My thoughts about this brilliant explosive legal thriller was outstanding Kia Abdullah's 2nd novel Truth Be Told is a powerful courtroom drama that tells the story of a young boy who's life has changed when an incident happens in his life that changes his life forever Talented author Kia Abdullah has written a heart touching story that is so gripping and so real it's about an issue that happens in real life to men and also women a well written story that teaches us many things Truth Be Told is so real when I read it I felt sorry for Kamrans character and what he had to go through I loved the characters in this outstanding novel be it Kamran Finn and Kamrans parents and Kamrans brother Adam and of course Zara Kaleel a brilliant character returning after the brilliant Take It Back Kia Abdullah has delivered another thriller that is not just brilliant but also a masterpiece that will take you on a journey to fall in love with the characters and to find out about the ending it took my breath away I would like to say thank you to HQ Stories team Author Kia Abdullah and Netgalley for giving me a chance to read and review this hardhiting explosive legal thriller highly recommended you guys are in for a treat ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥

I found this a hugely enjoyable, thought-provoking and compelling read. As well as addressing some of the issues surrounding male rape, it challenges notions of masculinity making it hugely relevant today. I loved the court scenes, which seemed authentic and well observed, and was surprised by the ending. Almost a 5-star novel for me, if it wasn’t for my finding the main protagonists a tad annoying and some of the narrative shifts were a bit odd (such as later in the novel when the omniscient narrator takes over Kamran’s account of his last meeting with Finn). It reads almost as though it were written with TV-adaptation in mind. However, all-in-all, a gripping novel and I look forward to reading more by the same author. Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

An interesting and thought provoking read. Dealing with the complexities of relationships and expectations. Handled the complex issue of male rape very well. Very well written.

This was a difficult read for me. Not because of the sensitive nature of the story but because of how real it all felt. The issues raised in this book are all very poignant and relevant - class, race, culture, society and what each of these deems as acceptable, or not, play a large part of the rhetoric in this novel. Kia Abdullah handles all of these and more with grace and her style of writing is extremely compelling. I enjoyed the premise of the novel, it's thought provoking and highlights a lot of issues.

There are moments that are heartbreaking in this novel, particularly with regards to identity within and outside of cultural "norms" along with the uncertainty of the what ifs of life. My heart broke for the boys, Zara and Mia, and even for Finn. But especially for families torn apart, for the tragedy of the alpha male, for the loss of the completeness of the child to adult phase of life, for the need to hide and forget, for the necessity to pretend to be someone you aren't. My heart breaks for those things and more.

The story flows well, I had no problem getting into it, characters are believable and real, and the courtroom scenarios are representative of the harsh truth of a court room, the pace and tension are well balanced and overall it's a very good read.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I very much enjoyed Take it Back, Kia Abdullah's previous book, but I found this book much less enjoyable. The story is a gripping one, and the courtroom scenes are suitably dramatic, but the whole book seemed very forced. The wealthy characters are very cliched, and we are told just a little too often just how rich and privileged they are. They all seem a bit two-dimensional. The twist at the end, while clever, seemed completely unbelievable to me. I was disappointed with this book.

This is the first book I have read by author Kia Abdullah and it certainly won't be the last. This legal thriller had me hooked early on and held me to the very end with me finishing it in one sitting. 

Kamran Hadid comes from a wealthy family and attends Hampton the select boys boarding school in London. With a position already secured at Oxford next year the future couldn't look much better and the world his he's oyster. But everything is about to change for Kamran when an incident occurs after a drunken night out and things will never be the same again.

This is an excellent court room thriller that is very thought provoking but more importantly a very good novel. Great characters and a story superbly told that will keep you gripped and second guessing what is going to happen.

Very impressed by this author and I now plan to read her other novels hoping that the she maintains this standard.

I would like to thank both Net Galley and HQ for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.