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.

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.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of Kia Abdullah's previous novel and was concerned that this might be more of the same, however, this book more than stands on its own. The characters are once again perfectly explored and developed, and the subject matter is treated with the delicate touch that is required

Truth be Told is another very good read from this author. We meet some characters from the previous book ‘Take it Back’ but not reading the previous book will in no way spoil your enjoyment of this story.
Kamrin, one of two sons from a wealthy Muslim family attends a prestigious boarding school with his younger brother Adam, he is of good character, popular and hard working with a bright already paved out future ahead of him. After a party where he drinks too much he awakes the next morning with events of the night slowly coming back to him, although sketchy he realises he was raped by another pupil. As he has this realisation his moral compass tell him to seek help and report this, floundering and unsure of what he does next he attends a women’s centre, here he meets Zara a barrister in the previous book now a counsellor. The women’s centre refuse to help him as they only deal with females so Zara takes it upon herself to help him.
Criminal proceedings are commenced, the CPS deciding there is a case to answer. The trial begins, the eloquence and cut and thrust of both prosecutor and defence counsel are sublime. At times it makes for uneasy reading, and certainly has you thinking.
The verdict is not assured and I kept switching my vote and didn’t know which way it would go. There is good depth to all the main characters and this story is well paced and flows beautifully. After the trial is over you imagine that’s it, but not from this author, she throws in a final twist that I never saw coming.
Well written, extremely clever but I would of liked it to be wrapped up a little more to learn what happens to the characters after the reveal, but that is from a personal viewpoint.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

An interesting book, well written and easy to read.
However the subject matter and storyline were just the same as the previous book. Zara once again seems to be taking on the underdog at the expense of everything else. Once again the truthful person comes off worst.
I personally would like to read something different.

A very interesting and ultimately moving account of the aftermath of male rape.

I think Ms Abdullah has handled the subject with great sensitivity and has created memorable characters - ones sympathies switch from character to character but ultimately they extend to all the parties concerned.

I don't have first-hand knowledge of the dynamics of a family such as the Hadids but it felt authentic particularly with the overbearing father who finds it so hard to show his love for his sons.

It doesn't show the English private school in a particularly good light although with hindsight perhaps they might have handled the matter in a rather less adversarial way than actually transpired; I can't help thinking that there are no real winners in going to trial in a rape case.

I thoroughly recommend this book and would like to thank NetGalley and HQ for the ARC.

This is a book that deals with important issues relating to male on male rape with sensitivty and in a realistic context. Kamran Hadid,of Asian descent,is a privileged boarder along with his younger brother at a posh boys' school. He has everything planned for the years ahead. The added dimension to this story is the effect on his character and reactions of the beliefs and prejudices of his family,in particular his demanding father. Zara is also of a similar background,a qualified lawyer,now working for a charity supporting women who have been raped. Taking on Kamran after a sexual assault in his dorm after a drunken school event is a break from her normal work. Zara also has issues arising from her ethnic background which are a distraction from the main focus of the story. Considerable time is spent covering her dysfunctional issues too. The story is well told. It raises important issues about male rape which are rarely aired. The case goes to court and the effect of that on Kamran and the pupil who assaulted him is dealt with carefully. Then as he tries to get his life together again,new information emerges to change the scenario. The conclusion is unexpected but makes sense.