illidia316's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I read by this author, but it certainly won't be the last! The main character is a strong, intelligent and empathetic character who stands up for what is right, no matter the consequence. The male lead was great as well - he was on a roller coaster journey of discovery for most of the book, and it was really interesting to see how he handled everything. I definitely recommend this for a quick read!
kbranfield's review
5.0
The Ones We Trust by Kimberly Belle is a poignant and emotional novel that is also quite intriguing. This sometimes heartbreaking story of redemption about an ex-journalist searching for the truth about a soldier's death in Afghanistan is quite captivating and very moving. A thought-provoking novel that touches on some very relevant issues, it is the underlying themes of loyalty, trust and betrayal that makes it such an outstanding read.
After one of her stories ended in a horrible tragedy three years ago, Abigail Wolff walked away from her career as a journalist. Now working as a website content curator, Abigail is reluctantly drawn into investigating the person who gave her the initial information for the story that she still feels guilty about writing. At the same time, she receives an anonymous delivery containing uncensored transcripts that prove the Army is covering up the death of Zack Armstrong, an actor turned soldier who tragically died in Afghanistan. Once she realizes the implications, she takes the information to the Armstrong family who are currently embroiled in a lawsuit to uncover the truth about Zack's death. Zack's mom, Jean, asks Abigail to write Zack's story while his brother Gabe, demands she stay away from the family. Curiously, Nick, the third Armstrong brother and the one person who knows more than anyone about Zack's death since he was present when he died, is ominously silent. Finding the truth becomes even more complicated when Abigail discovers she has close personal ties to Army brass who are also involved with the case. When she begins to fall in love with Gabe, Abigail's loyalty is tested when the people closest to her refuse to tell her the truth but betrayal comes from an unexpected source.
For Abigail, truth trumps everything and at one time, she was determined to tell it no matter the cost. But after the case that ended tragically, she not only felt guilty that was the catalyst, but she began to doubt her judgment. In the years since, she has been content to sit back and work a safe job where she can do no harm. But when one of the children from her earlier story comes forward with puzzling information about her informant, Abigail knows she has to investigate if only to satisfy her own questions about what she might have initially missed. She still has no plans to report on the story, but if she can bring peace to the family, Abigail feels compelled to uncover the truth.
When it comes to the Armstrong case, Abigail still has no interest in writing a story, but she feels the family deserves to know what the Army is hiding. She remains reluctant to become involved in the case but while she is deciding whether or not to help Jean write about Zack, Gabe has a change of heart. Unable to say no when he asks for her help, Abigail is soon immersed in discovering what happened that fateful day. When her father warns her off the case, she begins to doubt him and she becomes even more determined to learn the truth. However once she exposes what lies at the heart of the conspiracy, will Abigail lose the people she loves?
Heartrending and full of unexpected twists and turns, The Ones We Trust by Kimberly Belle is a captivating novel about love, loyalty and betrayal. Fast paced and riveting, this well-written book is ultimately uplifting and healing. An emotional and thought-provoking story of redemption and healing that I highly recommend.
After one of her stories ended in a horrible tragedy three years ago, Abigail Wolff walked away from her career as a journalist. Now working as a website content curator, Abigail is reluctantly drawn into investigating the person who gave her the initial information for the story that she still feels guilty about writing. At the same time, she receives an anonymous delivery containing uncensored transcripts that prove the Army is covering up the death of Zack Armstrong, an actor turned soldier who tragically died in Afghanistan. Once she realizes the implications, she takes the information to the Armstrong family who are currently embroiled in a lawsuit to uncover the truth about Zack's death. Zack's mom, Jean, asks Abigail to write Zack's story while his brother Gabe, demands she stay away from the family. Curiously, Nick, the third Armstrong brother and the one person who knows more than anyone about Zack's death since he was present when he died, is ominously silent. Finding the truth becomes even more complicated when Abigail discovers she has close personal ties to Army brass who are also involved with the case. When she begins to fall in love with Gabe, Abigail's loyalty is tested when the people closest to her refuse to tell her the truth but betrayal comes from an unexpected source.
For Abigail, truth trumps everything and at one time, she was determined to tell it no matter the cost. But after the case that ended tragically, she not only felt guilty that was the catalyst, but she began to doubt her judgment. In the years since, she has been content to sit back and work a safe job where she can do no harm. But when one of the children from her earlier story comes forward with puzzling information about her informant, Abigail knows she has to investigate if only to satisfy her own questions about what she might have initially missed. She still has no plans to report on the story, but if she can bring peace to the family, Abigail feels compelled to uncover the truth.
When it comes to the Armstrong case, Abigail still has no interest in writing a story, but she feels the family deserves to know what the Army is hiding. She remains reluctant to become involved in the case but while she is deciding whether or not to help Jean write about Zack, Gabe has a change of heart. Unable to say no when he asks for her help, Abigail is soon immersed in discovering what happened that fateful day. When her father warns her off the case, she begins to doubt him and she becomes even more determined to learn the truth. However once she exposes what lies at the heart of the conspiracy, will Abigail lose the people she loves?
Heartrending and full of unexpected twists and turns, The Ones We Trust by Kimberly Belle is a captivating novel about love, loyalty and betrayal. Fast paced and riveting, this well-written book is ultimately uplifting and healing. An emotional and thought-provoking story of redemption and healing that I highly recommend.
catladylover94's review against another edition
5.0
even though i knew the ending, i figured it out early, it was still good
paigepeploe's review against another edition
I was so bored that I was actively avoiding listening to it
dommdy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wanted to like this book more than I did. There were obviously emotions I didn’t quite catch because I was confused about a major plot point. I finally understood that it was as I thought it was, but having to reread it and consider it interfered with the flow of the story and threw me off. I don’t know if it is my inability to comprehend or if the writing was as obscure on this one aspect as it appeared to be to me. I’ve not had this happen often, and never with this author.
bookishmama13's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn't put this book down. The only thing losing the power was good for.
tmaturino's review against another edition
5.0
A Few Good Men meets Scandal in this intense drama about a military family who is seeking the truth about the death of their beloved son and brother, killed during war. Moving, poignant and intense, The Ones We Trust gave me a book hangover.
Read more and enter to win a copy of this book (ends 8/31/15) at my blog, Mom's Small Victories.
Read more and enter to win a copy of this book (ends 8/31/15) at my blog, Mom's Small Victories.
kiercarnahan's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of Kimberly Belle's earlier books and since she's become one of my go-to authors, I needed to catch up on it. It wasn't as "thrilling" as her nost recent book but more of a mystery about a soldier killed and a con artist. I was a little confused about the connection between two seemly unrelated stories this journalist was researching but I liked the characters. Belle has grown as a writer over her books and I like her newest ones more.
juju1030's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite line in this book was "And the kind of love a mother has for her most fragile child is special. More intense.” Although as a mother of three I don't have favorites, but I do have one child that requires more attention. Kimberly pulled me into this story from the beginning and I'm still thinking about the story and characters. Now I really can't wait to read the Marraige Lie!