Arc Book Review: This Is My Truth by Yasmin Rahman

Title: This Is My Truth

Author: Yasmin Rahman

Publisher: Hot Key Books

Length: 381 pages

Synopsis: Amani’s family is outwardly perfect, but no one must know about the Bad Nights, when her father’s temper rages. Her best friend Huda has grown up with loving foster parents, but what will happen to her now they’re expecting a baby of their own? The two best friends hide their fears even from each other. Then a prank blog starts revealing people’s deepest, darkest secrets. Amani is terrified that her shame will be exposed. How will she survive if everybody finds out her truth?

Yasmin is fantastic at writing characters. Amani, the main character, is so well written. As a reader you instantly warm to her. She’s funny, especially with Huda. She’s personable and real. But every character had such depth, it’s amazing how it all fit in to the book. And their connections with each other are so believable. They all felt real to me.

I have to say my favourite thing about this book Is the friendship between Amani and Huda. It’s so honest and real. It’s so refreshing to see a friendship like this in a book. They talk to each other like me and my friends. It was really lovely to read. Of course, they have their ups and downs but that made it even more realistic. It made me smile.

Now, this book does deal with some incredibly difficult things and it doesn’t shy away from them. These scenes are hard to read at times but they need to be. Yasmin brings honesty to them. They are very real. But I truly think they are handled brilliantly, nothing is there for shock factor. You see the situation escalate until it becomes unbearable for the characters.

I’ve also never read about this situation looking at from a child’s view. This is the young adult genre at its best, when books are dealing with real issues and helping people. So many young readers will unfortunately relate to this situation, but I think they’ll be able to find so solace in this book.

This Is My Truth had me gripped from beginning to end, filled with important storytelling, fantastic relatable characters and brilliant friendships. I couldn’t recommend this book enough.

Thanks to Hot Key Books for my copy of this book in return for an honest, unbiased review. It’s out July 22nd.

Until the next review

Jthbooks