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 … 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.
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Natalie Walters hit it out of the park with her debut! I don’t normally read suspense, but this book was incredible! I was hooked from the first page and was engaged the entire time. Walters created memorable characters, and a sizzling romance and chemistry that is still subtle enough I feel comfortable enough letting my teenage daughter read it. I also appreciated her handling of depression/anxiety/PTSD.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
Lots of romance and wonderful atmosphere in this mystery. I appreciate Natalie Walter’s tackling the difficult subject of the stigmas that, even today, sometimes make it difficult for people to seek treatment for mental illness. If you’re a fan of romantic suspense, you won’t be able to put this book down.
Living Lies by Natalie Walters is a well written novel with a complex plot. For readers who are drawn into a good mystery with a touch of romance woven in, this novel will not leave you disappointed. At times, I found myself reflecting back in order to connect the pieces. Some parts of the book seem to be disconnected; however, as you continue to read and the “lies” unfold, it will make perfect sense. I am definitely going add this author to my list of authors I like to read.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in order to write an honest review of this book.
Wow! I sure am glad I finally got around to reading this series by Natalie Walters! All of my bookish friends were talking, so I knew I couldn’t delay. Walters has crafted a stunning debut novel. From the charm of a small town to the hunt for a killer, this book will keep you captivated by both characters and plot development. Can we talk about the characters though? Walters keeps your riveted and invested into each new person she introduces. This, in my opinion, it what held the story together.
Perhaps the most important/unique part of this book is how delicately and accurately Walters tackles mental health, through clinical depression, PTSD, and suicide. Lane is a character you love, down to every fault, but also want to shake because she cannot seem to identify her own worthiness in the world. Battling demons from the loss of her husband, a murder in her small town brings death back to the surface of her world.
The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end. This is a book you won’t want to put down.
I also have to give a nod to the hints of military background in this story. They are portrayed with such accuracy. I love a good military themed fiction, and hope we see more of this strength from Walters in the future.
Will her secret finally destroy her…
There are three basic types of debut novels. The kind that are painfully obvious are a first try, those that are so-so showing some promise with practice, and those you are surprised to find out are the author’s debut. Living Lies was definitely one of the latter.
I will confess that the suspense didn’t quite engage me as much as it could have, it seemed like it was secondary to the plot. But. And that’s the keyword, but, what thoroughly engaged every bit of my attention was Natalie Walters’s compassionate and sensitive portrayal of a heroine learning to thrive amidst her struggles with depression. As well as another key character facing military related PTSD.
I loved the main characters. Lane is giving and has a truly sweet heart towards those society tends to ignore. Charlie is a good man, kind but strong. And you really can’t help falling in love with Lane’s precocious son as well as Charlie’s madcap dog.
Living Lies was a good start to what I am sure will be a wonderful series. Author Natalie Walters shows great promise with this first novel and I look forward to returning to the small, seemingly idyllic, town of Walton…
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
I loved the interplay of the hero with the heroine’s little boy. And the fireworks between the Hero and Heroine were perfect!
A nail-biter that will make you play hooky from your day job, feed your children cereal for supper, and not stop reading until the last page.
Natalie Walters has masterfully woven an emotionally charged suspense and love story. It’s the perfect book for the avid romantic-suspense reader.
Ever since I saw the intriguing cover for Natalie Walter’s debut novel, Living Lies, I was super eager to read it. I’m an unashamed romance novel junkie but I also ADORE mystery. So this wonderful story is a beautiful marriage of both.
The intro scene was gripping, engaging, and full of mystery and it set precedent for the rest of the story. The heroine, Lane Kent, is a widowed mama battling inner demons while struggling to keep her life together on the outside. I LOVE when authors create a character who is immediately endeared to you. And Lane is just that. I was rooting for her to succeed—to triumph over her heartache—from the get-go.
Okay, shall I discuss Charlie Lynch? Ladies, you may want to reach for your fans because this hero possesses all the elements of swoon. He’s devoted, charming, and—my personal favorite—protective. The interactions between Lane and Charlie range from tender conversations to fun banter, and I LOVED all of it.
As for the mystery, the setting of a small town with secrets was extremely interesting, and I had a hard time guessing what would happen next. Which is good because I don’t overly enjoy plots that are predictable and this one wasn’t.
I do applaud this author in tackling the sensitive topic of depression and mental illness. This subject was approached with tender strokes of delicacy but the message of grace shines with a brilliancy that deserves recognition.
I’m am thankful for the opportunity to read this author’s spectacular debut novel and am excited for her next story.
*I was proved with a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Spectacular debut! Walters has crafted an exquisite masterpiece. She gracefully handles depression and PTSD. This novel is riveting from the opening scene until the final word.
Recommend to readers who enjoy inspirational mysteries.
I won a copy. I’ve expressed my honest opinion.
My Review:
Genre: Suspense, romance, Christian fiction.
My Rating: 5 stars.
My Recommendation: 16 up, warnings below.
My Favorite Character/s: It was so hard to read Lane’s story but she was a character that you could see was struggling with something and needed help. I loved how her character changed by the end of the story.
My Verse for Lane is Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (King James Version.)
And Charlie with little Noah was so so so so adorable!
My Thoughts: This debut was AMAZING . . . I enjoy suspense and this may have been one of my favorite involving police officers. Yes, there was a lot of hard content but there was a lot of darkness and hurt. The suspense was wonderful and it didn’t drag, it kept up with a good pace throughout the whole novel. It was a big plus that Vets were helped some and that it showed how hard it is for men to return home after war.
Warnings: There is a murder . . . Think a Hallmark movie that’s real. A character suffers from depression and attempts to kill themself. A character is shot and there are mentions of drugs/drinking. An older lady makes a joke about ‘enjoying the view’ when a guy rushes to help someone while preparing for the day and he was shirtless. (Surprisingly, slightly funny but still, I needed to mention it.)
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it — all the thoughts are my own.
PTSD and depression has Lane and Charlie coming to this small town. He will be the new sheriff, while she is the new owner of the cafe, . They meet on a dilapidated bridge, he scares her, and he thought she was going to jump. Truth be known she thought her son might be better off if she did. The blame of her husband death feeling like she was the cause. Wanting approval was Charlie and being in the service, a father that strongly disapproved of. Good beginning to a new series
Wonderful story line from beginning to end. Sensitive and realistically showed the trauma and issues around living with depression and PTSD. Can’t wait to read more from this talented author!
Wow! Very impressive debut novel that grabs hold and has your attention held captive. It was nice to see PTSD and depression handled in such a poignant and respectful manner. The characters seeped into your heart and felt like family by the end. The suspense was spot on and had me chomping at the bit to put all the pieces together. Add the romance and an upstanding hero and you have a winner. Faith is subtle but woven perfectly into the story. I hated for it to end but look forward to reading the next books in the series. I have added a new author to my keeper shelves.
I won a copy of this book. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
I love a good romance suspense novel and this one did not disappoint. Natalie is now one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books!
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
This story grabbed me right at the start and held on for dear life until the end. These kind of stories are not good for my sleeping patterns since they cause me to stay up way past my bedtime. I really liked that about this one. This was a great mix of suspense and romance which can be difficult for an author to pull off. I loved the immediate attraction between Charlie and Lane. Adding the danger of a killer on the loose and I was hooked. Full review is at my website: lorainenunley(dot)com
I came across Natalie’s series around the time her second book Deadly Deceit was releasing. I was intrigued by what readers were saying and decided to give her debut novel a try and let me tell you, I was not disappointed!
The book takes place in the small town of Walton, Georgia where nothing bad ever happens, until one day it does. When a body is uncovered, mystery surrounding the death begins to spread, secrets are threatened to surface and the once peaceful town is changed forever.
The mystery starts off right away gripping you from the start and not letting go until the end. It made me question what I really thought was right in front of me. I didn’t really consider the part a nearby city like Savannah could play until it unfolded right before my eyes ultimately leading to the truth behind something that goes beyond the small town of Walton.
I loved the two main characters as individuals and getting to see how they handled their own struggles, but it was the way that Natalie grew Lane and Charlie together as a couple without comprising the message behind the story that left me wanting more. By the time I finished Living Lies I was in tears, because all I wanted was more of Lane and Charlie’s story.
*I purchased my own copy of this book. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.*
Amazing debut novel by Author Natalie Walters! I read it in one 24 period! Living Lies is a terrific page-turning romantic suspense story that talks honestly about depression, anxiety, mental illness, and hope. The characters are well-developed and the unpredictable story flows at a fast clip. I am so glad this is the first one in the series, as I want more!
I loved this reminder:
You are loved
You are wonderfully made
You have purpose
Well done Natalie Walters, I will definitely be reading more of your stories!
ATTENTION KEEPER!
It’s wonderful when a new author hits the mark with their debut novel. Natalie Walters accomplishes that with LIVING LIES. I highly recommend this book for readers who like to be drawn into a story quickly and can barely tear themselves away until they finish.
Lane Kent moves home to small town Walton, GA with her 5 year old son. If you’re from a small town, you get the picture. Everyone knows your NAME about how many have ever taken the time to really get to know you? If you had any slight idiosyncrasies, they never forget those. If you had a major issue, then you know you will be marked by that and carry it to the grave.
Lane comes to town dealing with severe depression triggered by the death of her husband. Quickly, she finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation and having to decide if she can trust anyone (particularly any man) again. Charlie Lynch is the new Sheriff in town and must solve two mysteries: 1) How to get Lane to trust him enough to work with him and 2) Find the killer.
I applaud Natalie Walters for taking on a subject many authors will not touch. The subject is depression. If you have loved ones that suffer from this debilitating illness, you know what a toll it takes on the whole family.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
What a fantastic start by this debut author! I was immediately immersed into the world of Walton, Georgia, and found myself at home among the characters in this small town full of Southern hospitality. Of course, the story started out with intrigue, danger, and sparks, so I was all in from the get-go.
The two main characters were great and perfectly suited to each other, although they both took a bit of convincing to get there. Their struggles, insecurities, and longings were real and relevant. Although I’ve never suffered from clinical depression myself, I’ve known folks who have, and Walters created a character we can all identify with, no matter what we’ve experienced. She also treated the subject of PTSD well and realistically.
I also loved how the heroine, Lane, was so kind and giving to others, especially how she related to and loved on those who society usually deems unworthy or invisible. This trait is one I admired in my best friend of twenty years, who passed away in April. It was great to see so much of her in the character of Lane. There truly are people in this world just like this, and I was blessed to know one.
Also, one final shout out regarding Noah, Lane’s little 4-year-old boy. Many times authors can write children as either entirely too mature and wise for their age, or too immature and babyish. Walters nailed the 4-year-old persona perfectly, presenting the little boy just right. It didn’t take long for him to work his way into my heart, as he did the other characters in the book.
This story had the perfect blend of suspense and romance and kept me up way past my bedtime. I can’t wait to read more from Natalie Walters!