Living Lies: Harbored Secrets #1 (2019) - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: Harbored Secrets (Book 1)
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Revell (May 21, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800735323
ISBN-13: 978-0800735326
Click Picture for Purchase Information
“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.”Thank you to JustRead Tours and Revell Books (division of Baker Books) for a review copy. A positive review was not required. All words and thoughts are my own.
 |
| [Thank you again to JustRead tours for a copy of Natalie Walters' Living Lies] |
“Living Lies” is Natalie
Walters’ first novel in the romance/suspense “Harbored Secrets” series and is
also her debut novel.
While Lane struggles with
her secret past, she finds herself feeling more normal around Charlie, almost
as if she’s being given a second chance. But, after her husband’s death, Lane
can’t or won’t take another chance. It takes everything she has to just keep
going, especially with her father’s Senate election coming up.
As the investigation into
the young girl’s murder progresses, Lane is not only in danger from her past,
but someone else. Someone, who is also trying to keep their secret as well. The
investigation isn’t the only thing progressing – Charlie and Lane’s friendship
begins to progress as well. But, Lane still wonders if she is worth saving and
if life is worth fighting for.
As I read this, it was
(for me), more of a suspense story with the romance woven into it naturally and
not “forced”. There were multiple plots and sub-plots that worked together
without seeming to overwhelm the reader:
** Grisly murder (of a
teenager)
** Depression
** Suicide
** PTSD
** Treatment of Vietnam
War Vets post-return
Walters weaves a story
that is not only entertaining, engaging, thrilling – but compassionate and
informative as seen from Lane’s point of view (POV). The writer also constructs
multiple viewpoints from those with depression, to the denial of the family,
and the misunderstanding of strangers. Adequately represented are the views of
the grieving family, the community’s reaction, and the (near-accurate) media
sensationalizing the murder.
Lane’s compassion for others is conflicting to that for herself in some cases.
Lane’s compassion for others is conflicting to that for herself in some cases.
I was conflicted while
reading this book – I wanted to take my time reading it, but I also couldn’t
put it down and wanted to keep reading straight to the end.
This was such a stellar book for a debut author!
This was such a stellar book for a debut author!
I’m very much looking
forward to the author’s second title in this series.
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Natalie Walters is a military wife who 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. 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.
She can be found on the following social media accounts:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/natwalterswrite
Comments
Post a Comment