Disclosure: I received a complimentary book from the publisher. Opinions shared are mine.
I used to participate in the Revell Books blogger program, through which I received monthly books to review. It’s been a while since I stopped working with them (the books were all gone by the time I could request one) so it’s been months since I read one of their titles. It was a pleasant surprise to see that Living Lies by Natalie Walters is a Revell book. I really enjoy suspense, and this one delivered. It’s a great summer read!
Set in the small town of Walton, Georgia, this debut has a mysterious plot. Mentions of well-known areas like Savannah and Atlanta keep the story current, while Southern roots like peach cobbler keep the reader grounded in the small town feel. Warning! Do not read this book on an empty stomach!
In Living Lies, the author planted some important messages about mental illness, family dynamics, and personal strength. Depression affects entire families without regard to status or profession. Though I didn’t particularly like the main character Lane, I loved the way her family and friends surrounded her with support.
The insta-romance in Living Lies was the only disappointment to me. I just didn’t buy the depth of emotion these characters felt over such a short period of time. Since this appears to be a series, I wish the slow burn of attraction and trust would have been given more time (across multiple books) to build.
Mystery books are fun!
Those small towns–so calm on the surface, so wicked underneath!