Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Hidden Truths by Brenda Youngerman is a heart wrenching novel. There are two stories interconnected. Youngerman begins by telling the story of Wayne and Billy. Their father is an alcoholic and is abusive, especially to Billy. Wayne was forced to grow up before his time. He never really had a childhood. His father resents having children and turns to alcohol. The night his mother died, his brother Billy disappeared. Wayne does the laundry, cooking, bill paying, and takes himself to and from school each day. His father lives in a drunken stupor. Wayne cannot give up hope that his brother is still alive.

Gwen’s mother never liked her. When her father leaves, taking her sister Grace with him, Gwen is forced to fend for herself while her mother stays drunk. Her mother watches while a man rapes her.

Grace and Gwen have the same mother; however, you would never know it by the way Gwen is treated. Her alcoholic mother is extremely abusive to her. When their father takes Grace and leaves, the abuse against Gwen amplifies.

As adults, Wayne and Grace each search for their sibling. Youngerman did a superb job of weaving these stories together.

I became so engrossed in this account that I read it in one sitting. There is a bit of a twist toward the end that took me by surprise. I could find no redeeming grace in any of the parents. I could not understand why Jack took Grace with him, but not Gwen. I consider him as abusive as his wife. If I say more, I will give away too much of the plot. This is a good read, and despite the subject matter, there are many warm spots. Despite a few grammatical errors, this is a good read. The plot held my attention to the end. The characters came alive. The story is great drama.