I guess I liked this. I read it quickly so I guess that speaks in it's favor.

Here's the thing: I consider this author one who writes "Chick Lit" and in my book there is nothing wrong with that genre. However, what I want from that genre when I read it is some lighthearted fun. This book did not deliver that. It delivered something interesting: the many facets of marriages that might be on the rocks and a few glimpses into why and how people find themselves on the brink of (or actually having) an affair.

I guess I found it sad that people can't really decide if they are happy or not when they are in long term relationships and that very connected people can become disconnected without actually meaning to.

For the most part I liked it but I'm knocking it down a peg because while I found the original ending trite and annoying I thought that the epilogue completely ruined the book for me. ( )

As with all of the books I've read by this author, Hidden does a great job of exploring what lies beneath the surface in relationships and what people keep hidden about themselves.
The story is told through three viewpoints: Jeff (whose viewpoint is after his demise), Tish (Jeff's co-worker & something more), and Claire (Jeff's wife). Little by little what happened over the past year or so in their lives becomes revealed, layer by layer. The story does a great job of looking back at their lives and building on what makes a person act the way they do, based on their past experiences.
Great plot twists and clever writing, it will keep you guessing until the end! ( )

Hidden by Catherine McKenzie was the most surprising book of the year - it 200% exceeded my expectations!

If you haven't read this book, I'd highly recommend it. This contemporary novel follows the death of a man and the fallout that ensues. Jeff steps into the street (with his eyes closed, bad decision on his part) and is killed. His wife and son along with his co-workers must come to accept his death and unravel a big secret he left behind.

There is lots of drama in this book - cheating, big life decisions like changing jobs, following dreams and dealing with past mistakes. Claire, Jeff's wife, used to date Jeff's brother. When he left for Australia and broke up with Claire, suddenly feelings were developing between the now married couple. Claire and Jeff have a son, Seth, and end up experiencing a miscarriage when they try for a second child. Jeff always seems to compare himself to his brother and has his doubts about Claire's love. When Claire kisses Tim (her ex/Jeff's brother) Jeff goes on a bit of a spiral - in secret, of course.

Tish is Jeff's coworker. She works in HR and ends up helping him out during the firing that occurs just before he dies. The two of them went on a work trip together, and it's always hinted that there might be something more between them. Once Jeff dies, Claire goes on the hunt to see if this relationship existed.

The big theme of this book seems to be surrounding the concept of not knowing a secret or a bad thing can keep you innocent. Claire would have been devastated to know her dead husband cheated on her. Was it better to keep it in the dark? Would she have liked it better to know he was faithful or that he cheated? This final question is left up to the reader after the final chapter. Along the way, I kept going back and forth on whether I believed anything happened. The book does give the reader a concrete answer on this.

My personal opinions:

1. I don't like Tish. I'm not sure if Catherine meant for us to hate her, but I definitely did not like her. She goes to the funeral and makes Claire's life miserable. That woman didn't need to do this! Why in the world would you go out of your way to hurt a grieving widow?! She also seems rather clueless about her own daughter. There is a side of me that feels bad about her, but MAN I still dislike her. In the end, I believe she's the type of woman who is incredibly selfish. She did and didn't do something (major plot points) for her own well-being. No where does it say she did it for the well being of Claire, Seth, her husband, Jeff or her own daughter.

2. Jeff's a dumb man. He's also a jerk. Mainly because he's self-conscious about his relationship, so he should have gotten some major therapy for that. If you're so concerned that your wife used to date your brother, maybe don't marry her? After his wife's miscarriage he didn't seem that supportive either, but that's my own personal opinion on how it was written. Also, who walks with their eyes closed into a street?

3. In the end, Claire should have run off into the sunset with Tim. I think she would have been much happier with him, especially after reading all of Jeff's short comings. Maybe that's the inner romance reader in me...

I might seem to have many negatives about this book, BUT IT IS STILL SO GOOD. I was hooked on every word and needed to know how the book ended. It was compelling and intriguing. I cannot recommend it enough.

The book does seem to be a "you love it or you don't" sort of novel with other reviewers, so reader beware! Either way, I enjoyed it! And that is what counts.

Final question: Did Claire ever join her sister in a joint law firm? I NEED TO KNOW. CATHERINE, HIT ME UP GIRL!

Five out of five stars.

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads. ( )

This book is alive with all the complications, difficulties, messiness, and surprises people encounter in life. Each character is drawn so clearly and realistically that you feel you know and understand them, and your sympathies (or perhaps empathies) go to each equally. I will be putting McKenzie on my list of authors to read again. ( )

Jeff Manning works in the accounting department at Johnson Company. Tish is in the HR department. They develop an attachment to each other. When Jeff is killed in a car accident, Tish is devastated. But Tish is not his wife, Claire is, and Claire is starting to suspect that there was more than friendship between Tish and Jeff.
This is an emotionally taxing story of grief and love, secrets and family. Heartbreaking. The ending is one that I will remember for a while. ( )