A lifetime of lies, and a truth too painful to tell. When Suzanna Duff was ten years old, she lost her mama, and that’s when the lies began. At first, they were just harmless little fibs, a way to hide her unbearable loneliness and the truth about a daddy who came home rip-roaring drunk every night. But in time, the lies grew bigger and now, when she is a grown woman with a daughter of her own, … woman with a daughter of her own, they threaten to destroy everything she loves.
The irony of this situation is that Suzanna never planned to stay in Georgia, she was simply passing through, looking for a fresh start in New Jersey. Attending that wake with her daughter Annie, was a fluke. An opportunity to enjoy a free meal. It should have entailed nothing more than a solemn nod and a brief expression of sympathy but, Ida Parker, the grieving widow mistook her for her the granddaughter who was carried off as an infant. Too embarrassed to do anything else, Suzanna played along. What harm was there in pretending to be someone else for a few hours? Hours turned into days and days into weeks; strangers became friends, love happened, and before long a year had flown by.
Now the past is standing on her doorstep and Suzanna must decide to leave here and disappear as she has done before, or tell the truth and break the hearts of those she loves most.
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Whenever I’m done reading a story by Bette Lee Crosby I always feel good when I close the book. I want to continue to be a part of the character’s lives and stay with them. That’s how much her stories move me and fill me with emotions. They leave a long lasting impression on me, always! Her writing also leaves me with a renewed sense of kindness, generosity and faith in humanity that I sometimes forget exists among people, especially during difficult times in our lives.
Suzanna Duff did not have a good childhood. From a very early age she learned how to use lies to hide the truth of her past to cover up the unbearable pain and loneliness she suffered. Those lies transcended into her adult life to protect herself and her young daughter Annie. When she stumbles upon an opportunity, she finds a way to shed her past and become a new person, and those lies start to multiply. Now her double name Darla Jean, she has made a new and better life for herself and Annie. She tells herself it is for the best for Annie’s future. But, the past always has a way of coming back to haunt us, as it did with Suzanna. It has threatened to take away everything she has come to love and hold dear to her heart.
I loved the ending of this book, but that isn’t surprising. It was beautifully written, heartwarming, full of love, friendship, family, trust, and hope. This is my fourth novel by Crosby. She is the first author who introduced me to Southern Fiction and I’m thrilled to have found her books! If you haven’t read any of them yet, I highly recommend you do!!
Any time you pick up a book to read written by Bette Lee Crosby, you know your heart will be tugged on before you finish it. Her latest is no exception.
How many times have you caught yourself in a little lie? What if that little lie turned into another and another and another……. That’s how this story starts – a little lie. My first thoughts were “This can’t end well” and “lying is never a good thing” Or can it be? Is there ever a time when steering from the truth COULD be a good thing? Like I said, this story will tug at your heart while considering that question right up until the end. Read it – then you can decide for yourself!
I always enjoy Bette’s books. She has a wonderful way of writing that takes you right where her story is. This one has secrets and so much to enjoy that you won’t want to put it down until you’re finished! Always five stars for Crosby!!
Very good book by my favorite author.
A LIFETIME OF LIES!
Author Bette Lee Crosby has brought another dynamic gift for her readers! A MILLION LITTLE LIES is a story of woman and her young child who find their way into a wake. They were immediately mistaken to be missing family members and immediately enveloped into a family filled with love, acceptance, encouragement, comfort, and a home – all the things that the two had never experienced! The woman only meant to stay overnight. Maybe a week. Okay a month. What would it hurt to stay longer? With each passing day, her persona of “Darla Jean” grows deeper into being who she really is. How long can she continue to live like this before her lies catch up with her? A story of love, loss, redemption and grace. A story of new beginnings and bright tomorrows.
My favorite quote from this book is:
“There’s all kinds of families, Darla Jean. Some people are born into belonging to one another, and that’s their family. But there’s another kind of family, one created by people who love each other and are willing to hold onto what they’ve found. We’re that kind of family.”
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bent Pine Publishing and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
A lifetime of lies, and a truth too painful to tell.
At first, the lies were a way of coping. When her mama died and the neighbors and friends asked after her, Suzanna Duff said she was fine. A little white lie meant to make everyone feel better. But as time went on, each day brought another reason to lie, and the lies stacked one on top of another. Over time, it became a reflex.Then Suzanna fled her live-in situation, looking for a new life for her and her daughter. A life free of the abusive man who claimed her as his property and treated her worse than a mangy dog. After hitching a ride a few towns away, Suzanna found herself faced with a decision- where to go next? As luck would have it, she and her daughter, Annie, would have to wait for the next bus out of town which didn’t leave until the following day. But that same luck provided a chance for a free meal at a memorial luncheon that same day. And they both were very hungry. So they decided to crash the party and enjoy a little food before leaving for the big city. Well, that was the plan, until they were spotted by the widow and Suzanna was recognized as the long lost granddaughter of Widow Ida’s late husband, Bill. Not wanting to admit to their sneaky plan, Suzanna went along with Ida and pretended to be her granddaughter, who had never met Ida or even been there since her father had left with her after an argument some 25 years earlier. And so the lies began…
This book was by far my favorite book this year and will undoubtedly be on the Bestselling Books of 2020 List. The characters were so real and I could feel their pain and joy as if it were my own. I found myself trying to solve Suzanna’s problems for her and anguishing when she made bad choices. The plot moved along well and didn’t stall at any point. There were enough zigs and zags to keep me guessing what might happen next. I enjoyed the old house that Ida lived in and wish I could go there to explore. I’d love to sleep in the old bed that Suzanna chose to sleep in. The history in that bed! All in all, I loved this book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to delve into a story with love, laughter, pain, feel-goods, and lots and lots of smiles. Take a chance!
Heartbreak and tough experiences cause lies to be told. After telling those lies, each day becomes a chance for a new beginning in life and the possibility of happiness. This emotional and heartfelt story shares the lengths someone may go to in order to have a fresh start in life and love. Another great story by Bette Lee Crosby. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.
A life full of lies—you just know that that kind of life is going to end up all wrong. Right? Suzanna has been lying her whole life. And ‘living a life of lies is a very difficult thing’.
Even with all of Suzanna’s lying, Bette has once again created a very likable character. Suzanna has the best intentions with her lies, she’s just trying to get by and make a better life for herself and her daughter, Annie. She never could of imagined the magnitude of the lies that she would end up telling when they stopped in a small town in Georgia. All they wanted was a quick meal before they continued on their journey.
A Million Little Lies is a beautifully written story full of interesting characters, some you will love and some you will despise. I especially loved Ida and wished I had someone in my life like her. Bette’s characters are always so likable, memorable, and real. Suzanna, Annie, and Ida’s story is one that you need to discover and it will be one that you will not soon forget. And as always, there are bits of wisdom all throughout the book, something that I just love about Bette’s books.
“What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” (Sir Walter Scott, 1808) And Suzanna has an unbelievable web of lies that go back to her childhood. You will understand why she lies…and continues to do so.
This is a powerful story of love, loss, family, trust, truth, lies, forgiveness, and a sense of belonging. Your heart will be touched by Suzanna; her daughter, Annie; and Ida. You will also be irritated at some of the characters and their lack of integrity.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bent Pine Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Bette Lee Crosby manages to draw you into the story and helps you to open up your heart and feel with such depth.
I have always enjoyed reading Bette Lee Crosby’s books and this one didn’t disappoint. Her character development and the different perspective from each of the characters was great. It was a heart warming story and very true to life. I would definitely recommend this book.
Another winner from Bette Lee Crosby! A young mother fleeing an abusive relationship with her young daughter. The million little lies that come back to haunt her as she does what she has to to survive to give her daughter what she never had. Parts of the book can bring you to tears as you route for her To succeed!
“We tell lies when we are afraid….afraid of what we don’t know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger.” Tad Williams
This is the story of Suzanna Duff. I think the biggest lies we tell are the ones we tell ourselves. This is Suzanna’s dilemma….the lies are easier than the truth. Another thing we are harder on ourselves about is believing in love and forgiveness. This, too, is an issue with Suzanna. Her conscience works on her and then her fears kick in. “With lies you may go ahead in the world, but you can never go back.” Russian Proverb
Suzanna Duff is a young girl who has a rough way to go when her mother dies and leaves her to be raised by an uncaring, alcoholic father. To self-protect, she begins to tell little lies to make life bearable. What harm can that be? “To Suzanna her lie was not a deception but a necessary altering of the truth.” Little lie upon little lie adds up and soon they become easier and easier to tell. The lies become easy to believe as truth. Her life becomes more complicated when she finds herself pregnant and her father tells her to leave. Her life is challenged as her little Annie grows and life isn’t a bowl full of cherries with Earl…the guy she’s been with since she left home. She has to go find a better life for Annie even if it’s built upon lies. This is the beginning of a story that pulled at my emotions for Suzanna. Her character is one I felt for from the beginning. No one likes a liar but Ms. Crosby created Suzanna in such a way that I wanted to pull for her. I felt so much anxiety for her when her lies were close to being exposed. I loved this book. It’s full of heart. It’s full of what a family really is about. It’s full of mistakes. But it’s all about how love can overcome the messes that life can be. There’s a surprise towards the end of the story that brought tears to my eyes. It’s such a wonderful twist.
Bette Lee Crosby is a storyteller extraordinaire! When I open the pages of one of her books, I feel like we’re sitting together on a cozy veranda and I’m full of anticipation for the journey I’m about to take. Her talent and gift of bringing a story to life is southern story telling charm at its best. A Million Little Lies holds all the essence of what makes Ms. Crosby one of my favorite authors to read. It’s a story from her heart that tugged at mine as all her stories do. I’m so honored to have had the privilege of reading another five star plus book by this amazing author. Her stories make my life better because of the messages and hope that the words between the covers bring to me. I want to thank Ms. Crosby and Netgalley for the ARC of a touching and heartwarming story. All opinions and thoughts in this review are my heartfelt own. Five MILLION stars if I could.
A MILLION LITTLE LIES by Bette Lee Crosby is a beautifully-written and heartfelt novel of loss, love and second chances. Suzanna Duff lost her mother when she was just ten years old. Left alone with a father who is most always drunk, Suzanna runs to her high school sweetheart for comfort and love. Soon she finds herself pregnant and neither her own father nor the father of her child want anything to do with her any longer. Heartbroken and alone, Suzanna turns to an older man that offers her a place to stay. As time passes, this relationship turn abusive and Suzanna knows she must leave so she make a fresh start with her now eight-year-old daughter, Annie. On the run with her child and almost no money, a chance encounter leads Suzanne and Annie to a safe refuge with Ida Parker, a grieving widow who has mistaken Suzanna for her long lost granddaughter. One little lie leads to another and another and soon, Suzanna can no longer reveal the truth without destroying the lives of those she loves. What follows is a heart-wrenching and emotional story that kept me on the edge of my seat hoping for a happy ending for the wonderfully-portrayed characters. I truly enjoyed this compelling story of a mother’s love for her children and grandchildren and of finding family even when not related by blood. I highly recommend A MILLION LITTLE LIES! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read any early copy.
Anytime you read a Bette Lee Crosby book, you’re guaranteed to make new friends, and her latest novel is no exception. Readers are treated to a richly layered cast of characters, a storyline filled with twists and turns, and an absolutely delicious sense of place. I truly didn’t want this one to end, but then some novels are so good the pages seem to turn themselves. Steeped in secrets and southern charm, A Million Little Lies is both heartwarming and heartbreaking; a tale about forgiveness, family, and what it means to finally find your true home.
Bette Lee Crosby has created another gem with this story! It is a wonderful emotional journey. A teen’s life could easily change for the better or the worse when she finds out she is pregnant and abandoned by the very few people that should care about her. It is through her determination to give her child a better life that propels her to move forward. The story unfolds from that and it is definitely a story to read!
My heart was breaking so many times during this book. I also was drawn to anger and wanted to give a few people a piece of my mind. A book that brings out feelings like this in the reader proves that the author is extremely gifted in creating a world that we care about deeply.
I recommend this book very highly. I am a fan of Bette Lee Crosby and A Million Little Lies is a fantastic addition to her collection of work.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bent Pine Publishing for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy of this book. My review is my own opinion not influenced by receiving the ARC.
Bette Lee Crosby’s A Million Little Lies is a winner. When your life is bad and you want a do over like Suzanna Duff you will do and say a lot of things out of desperation. Suzanna has an eight year old daughter to think about and she wants a better life for her. When she accidentally stumbles upon that good life it is hard to say no. But the lies and deceit start to add up and Suzanna is at the point where she has to make some difficult choices.Will the truth hurt the people she loves? I would recommend this book for those that like women’s contemporary literature and or Southern based fiction.
For me this review came a bit hard. For someone to live their life as a lie for so long and deceiving those dear to them was a difficult read for me. As a long time reader of Bette Lee’s books, I had to give her 4 stars. Her other characters and the rest of the story was very good. If you can look past the lying (and the title does:mention it) I am sure you will enjoy the book. #AMillionLittleLies #NetGalley
Your life is dictated by circumstances at times and how does one handle it? Being scared, feeling alone, and wanting better can lead one to create a fantasy world through lies such as in the novel “A Million Little Lies” by Bette Lee Crosby.
Are lies harmful when meant to try and better the life of those you love? Or told to escape a world of hurt that that has hung about your shoulders since you were young? A women takes chances with her lies while her past is dogging her and her child, nipping at their heals. Does she take it to far or does life intervene with its own plans as so often does? Crosby pulls her characters through heart wrenching and emotionally charged dramas answering these questions.
I was captivated by the characters, situations, and a story that took hold of my heart and wouldn’t let go! Crosby’s southern charm style of writing is captivating and beautiful. You feel like your living the lives of her characters, feeling their emotions, such as a good book should make you feel.
When the chance comes about that you have the opportunity to purchase this book, don’t hesitate, its worth every cent you spend!
I was given this book for a fair and honest review.
Another Bette Lee Crosby book that kept me up to the wee hours! Bette has a way of making you fall in love with her characters and root for them through the whole book! While Suzanna/Darla Jean had secrets and repeatedly told lies upon lies, she still was a character I loved from the beginning and wanted the book to end with her happiness! Ida was a woman that everyone would want for a Grandma and Earl was a despicable man who always seemed to get just what he deserved. I had an ending in mind as I read and was surprised at the end that it wasn’t at all what I thought. I truly believe that family is who you love, just like Ida. It doesn’t always have to be blood.
Book Review: (ARC) A Million Little Lies by author, Bette Lee Crosby
Expected Release: June 16, 2020
I ‘ve had the pleasure of reading several of Ms. Crosby’s novels, and each one is an impressive gift~ from her heart to the reader.
A Million Little Lies is an emotional story of finding yourself in the midst of loss, hurt, and anguish and the lengths one will go to for the one thing we all desire, love.
Suzanna Duff, our protagonist, and one of the many lovable characters within this story, finds out quickly as a young girl that a lie will lead to another, and another… Her biggest lie could ultimately bring her to “goodbye.” Goodbye to the life she’s finally found, a life she stumbled upon as a single mother to her sweet Annie, while escaping from the clutches of a bad decision named, Earl.
Ms. Crosby has woven a heartwarming, yet suspenseful Southern Fiction tale into one that will steal your heart. A story written with the grace and style of writing all her own.
A Million Little Lies will not only lead you on a journey to love, but to experience how in life nothing ever comes easy~ and the truth, will always set you free…
5 Stars
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