‘Not all storms. … Sometimes they stick around and make life miserable.’ ”
“It wasn’t always easy, but if you look for it beauty can be seen even in the ugliness of war.”
Natalie Walters’ debut novel, “Living Lies,” is a fantastic romantic thriller that takes on some very serious topics.
After a weak moment, widow Lane Kent stumbles upon the body of a teen-age girl. Originally believing it was suicide, police quickly determine young Sydney Donovan was murdered. When Charlie Lynch, the quaint town’s new deputy, who just happens to be the sheriff’s nephew, gets pulled into the case, he quickly becomes intrigued with the reserved and enigmatic Lane.
As Charlie and Lane work toward solving Sydney’s murder, they quickly begin to develop feelings for each other. Lane, however, struggles with feeling good enough, as she struggles with depression and guilt over her husband’s death.
“Living Lies” is a fast-paced thriller filled with murder, art espionage, drug cartels, misguided blame, and mysterious figures around town. And with just enough toe-curling romance, this book will keep your heart thumping on both the love level and the fear factor.
But besides offering a great romantic suspense, Walters dives into some very serious and dark topics. Much of the book revolves around depression and suicide, and shows the importance of getting help whenever someone is feeling that low. It also deals with themes like we’re not meant to shoulder burdens alone and that we need support from our loved ones to succeed; caring for our veterans; being “broken happily ever after”; God is a God of second chances; the feeling of not being enough; God never, ever makes mistakes; overcoming obstacles and tragedies; and the fact that we need to not only look past the flaws of others, but we must look past our own flaws.
This is a great story with great themes, and great characters. Walters does a great job of creating very real and very relatable characters — with Lane’s battle with depression and feeling not worthy enough of love, and Charlie’s worry the town will feel he received his job due to nepotism and not due to his ability. She also creates adorable and lovable characters, like Lane’s dinosaur-loving son Noah, and Charlie’s wise and caring aunt, Ms. Byrdie.
I know I’m looking forward to more books in Natalie Walters’ “Harbored Secrets” series. Fans of authors like Terri Blackstock, Lynette Eason, Irene Hannon and Janice Cantore will love this book.
And please, if you are suffering from depression or having thoughts of suicide, please talk to someone. Seek help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800) 273-TALK. You ARE worthy!
Five stars out of five.
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
“Living Lies” (Harbored Secrets series, #1) by Natalie Walter