Rating Clarification: 4.5 
 "It's hard to explain. I was perfect." 
 "And..." 
 "And then I wasn't." 
 Allison, the ex-perfect girl. She gets out of prison and just wants to start again, to see her sister and be loved again. 
 Bree, Allison's sister. She doesn't want anything to do with Allison and is trying to find peace, from the rumors, from her nightmares. 
 Charm, nurse-to-be. Difficult relationship with her mother, her stepfather is going to die soon. 
 Claire, owner of a bookstore, foster mother of the little Joshua, She offers Allison a job. 
 Four women, different past, different secrets. But how are their stories connected? Why does Joshua mean something for each of them? And what is going to happen when the truth comes out? 
 These Things Hidden was one of the most touching books I've read lately. Heather Gudenkauf created such wonderful, realistic characters that it's hard not to get captivated by them and their stories. The plot is interesting and well planned, it kept me in suspense till the end. The writing was amazing, it's what made the book so easy to read in spite of its sometimes disturbing contents. 
 I think Bree's character was the most complicated and successful one of the book. Through her Pov, we can see how her weak mind tried to forget or ignore the events that changed her life, and her sister's, forever. 
 She was also the most moving character: her fragility elicits pity and understanding in the reader. 
 Allison was a difficult character to judge: for most part of the book, all we know about her past is that she was the perfect daughter, then she got pregnant, she killed her baby girl and was then arrested. And even though what she did and the way she talked about it made me want to rip her head off, I couldn't help but feeling a bit of comprehension towards her, and I was so glad when in the end I found that in truth (view spoiler)[Allison did nothing more than protect her sister. (hide spoiler)] 
 These Things Hidden was a moving, powerful read that made me think, cry and lose a good night's sleep. I recommend it to everyone in need of some mystery and love.