I won a copy of this book from LibraryThing and I meant to get to it right away, but I just didn’t get the chance. Which is probably a good thing. It took me a really long time to get through this book. If I would have tried reading it when I got it (I was sick), I probably wouldn’t have finished it. That would have drove me crazy. I don’t think I’ve ever not finished a book. I might put them down for a bit, but I always go back to them. This one, I don’t think I would have picked back up.

What We Hide wasn’t horrible, it’s probably an okay read. It just wasn’t for me. I really didn’t enjoy it, and I couldn’t wait to finish it. I just wanted to be done with it. I found it incredibly boring, because nothing really happens. To be completely honest, I actually fell asleep in the car while reading it. I was so bored that I was having trouble staying awake, and I wasn’t even reading in bed. I was in the car! I also found Jenny’s chapters annoying. I understand that she’s an American, that she is now going to school in England, and she was learning new words. Every single time it said something meant something, I wanted to throw the book across the room.

“Great jumper!” Penelope ran her fingers along my newly fluffed hem.
Jumper means “sweater.” – Page 20

“I dunno how you ever snogged either of them.” said Kirsten. Snog means “kiss.” – Page 21

For where to send it, I had to ring Tom.
Ring means “call.” – Page 118

It was clear by day two that the maths they were learning in England (maths means “math”) was far beyond what we’d been doing in the States… – Page 120

I really wanted to like this one. Obviously when you start a book, you want to enjoy it. For me, I wanted to like it because the author lives near me, and I find that kind of awesome. Unfortunately I found it boring, and Jenny’s chapters were super annoying. This one just wasn’t for me, but I will give Marthe Jocelyn another try. I’ve wanted to read Folly for years. I will give that one a read someday. However, I don’t think I will be running out to buy it anytime soon. ( )

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Tundra Books via LibraryThing's giveaway.

Ducking the Vietnam War draft, Tom leaves America for a college education in England. Bringing along his sister Jenny, she begins a fresh school year at a Quaker boarding school where she quickly realizes she can be whoever she wants to be. What We Hide gathers the voices of numerous teenagers who, despite their conflicting personalities, social cliques, and attitudes on sexuality, share a single similarity -- they all hold stories that either cannot be told or they have quietly fabricated.
The novel does not lack in attempts -- the attempts themselves, however, fall short. Jocelyn packs in a crowd of voices, some of whom are characteristically memorable, while others far less. Sectioning off the book into chapters, eight characters including Jenny (but not Tom) narrate eight distinct stories during their school year, some of which weave into others. Readers may struggle to find coherence in the early portions of the book as characters flow in and out of narratives, and can grow frustrated by the second half as they continue to lack depth and substantial development. What We Hide also daringly explores multiple narrative styles at the expense of the reader, who is jostled through letters, first person narratives, and even screenplays that only serve to blur voices even further.

​As readers will note, this book quickly veers away from a focus on the two characters with greatest potential, Tom and Jenny, to push forth a sizable cast of characters that remain unpolished till the end. Failing to take advantage of the historical time frame that propels the book's beginning, this novel quickly risks losing its audience's interest, leaving them disappointed in its promises.

I post my book reviews on my book blog! ♡ ( )

I received a free copy from the publisher through LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.

I heard a piece of writing advice -- and I wish I could remember who said it because I think about it a lot -- that having your protagonist lie about something is a great characterization tactic. Watching someone (and knowing that they are) lying tells you so much about them. Of course, it reveals what they want to keep from you. But what they choose to tell you, the nature of the lie itself, the details they include, the way they tell it... all of that often reveals even more.

Which is a roundabout way of saying that What We Hide by Marthe Jocelyn is right up my alley. As the title indicates, this is very much about lying to other people -- about boyfriends or a lack thereof, families, identity. And as soon as I read what it was about, I know I'd love it.

This book didn't disappoint. The characters are compelling, and I love all of the multiple viewpoints. And I also love the setting; maybe I haven't been looking hard enough, but I haven't read many YA books set during the Vietnam war.

So, overall, a very enjoyable read. Marthe Jocelyn is one of my favourite authors, and it's always wonderful to disappear into one of her novels. ( )

I received a copy of Marthe Jocelyn's "What We Hide" compliments of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program and appreciated the opportunity.

This YA novel shares the unique perspectives of a group of teenagers who are attending a boarding school in the UK. Each chapter is written in the voice of one of the characters, shedding light on their hidden "secrets", what they see that others may not. There is a tonne of drama along the way, as is the standard life of most teens. It did have some laughable humour throughout and I did enjoy the authentic UK dialogue used by the author.

This easy read was just so-so for me. I finished it in two sittings, not necessarily because I was so intrigued, more because I truly wanted to get through to the end as fast as possible. I am not sure that I can recommend this one, it was a bit of a bore. ( )

I received this book from Librarything early reviewers. This book is a YA novel about a group of teens in an English dorm and is told from each of their points of view. While it is interesting and humorous, it also seems a bit shallow. It is still worth the read though, and I would recommend it. ( )