Living Lies is Natalie Walters' debut novel, and it's a good one! I'm already anticipating book two 😄
In the little town of Walton, Georgia, everybody knows your name--but no one knows your secret. At least that's what Lane Kent is counting on when she returns to her hometown with her five-year-old son. Dangerously depressed after the death of her husband, Lane is looking for hope. What she finds instead is a dead body.
Lane must work with Walton's newest deputy, Charlie Lynch, to uncover the truth behind the murder. But when that truth hits too close to home, she'll have to decide if saving the life of another is worth the cost of revealing her darkest secret.
Debut novelist Natalie Walters pulls you to the edge of your seat on the first page and keeps you there until the last in this riveting story that will have you believing no one is defined by their past.
When I picked up this book, I wasn't really feeling like romantic suspense ... but it was a book I'd gotten for review, and the review was due today. So I started reading, and within just a few pages I was completely sucked into the story!
I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this before: main character Lane deals with depression and once attempted suicide. Walters handles this sensitively—the reader isn't given a super deep look into Lane's mental health, so, while this topic is surely difficult for some to read about, it's not graphic—and she shines a light on an area of health that has been so stigmatized.
Now to the story itself! Lane and Charlie have a sweet relationship, and Lane's son Noah is too cute. I loved that the suspense thread wasn't the only thing driving the plot; Lane's family relationships were fascinating, and I loved the pseudo-family she created for herself, as well.
I did have trouble keeping track of all of the "bad guys"—one of them was very easy to pick out, but others who were just mentioned by law enforcement got a little jumbled in my mind. That said, I did enjoy watching the story unfold (even when I was a bit confused!).
Living Lies is a solid debut novel, and I'm looking forward to the second book in the series, which will feature the delightful Deputy Frost, Charlie's coworker. 4 stars.
Buy the book.
Natalie Walters is the author of Living Lies and Deadly Deceit. A military wife of 22 years, she currently resides in Hawaii with her soldier husband and their three kids. She writes full-time and has been published in Proverbs 31 magazine and has blogged for Guideposts online. In addition to balancing life as a military spouse, mom, and writer, she loves connecting on social media, sharing her love of books, cooking, and traveling. Natalie comes from a long line of military and law enforcement veterans and is passionate about supporting them through volunteer work, races, and writing stories that affirm no one is defined by their past. Learn more at www.nataliewalterswriter.com.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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CANNOT wait to read this one!! It sounds fast-paced, and of course, it's always great to read a novel by a new author. :)
ReplyDeleteI liked it a lot! Plus, there's a small town feel to this novel that is different from many of the suspense novels I've read, and that was quite enjoyable!
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