Happy Friday! Today I’m so excited to share a great new book by a debut author, and to join in on First Line Friday hosted by Hoarding Books! Keep reading for a sneak peek at the first line (and my review) of Living Lies by Natalie Walters.

The Basics

Title: Living Lies by Natalie Walters

Series: Harbored Secrets (Book 1)

Genre: Christian romantic suspense

My Rating: 5/5 stars

From the Back Cover: 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.

First Line

“Just let go.

The breeze lifted Lane Kent’s auburn hair from the back of her neck. Her heels edged closer to the side of the bridge, sending loose dust and rocks spiraling into the Ogeechee River below.”

Living Lies by Natalie Walters

My Thoughts

I knew from the first chapter that this would be one of the best suspense books I’ve read in awhile! The suspense and intrigue drew me in right away and held my attention throughout the book. I thought the plot was really unique, and I loved the charming Southern small town setting.

One thing that’s really important to me in this genre is a good balance of action/suspense and character development. This book is the best of both worlds, with edge-of-your-seat suspense and relatable, engaging characters! Charlie is everything you want in a hero – kind, committed, protective, and smart, but not without his own struggles. Lane is struggling with depression and the death of her husband, and I thought the author handled those tough topics in a thoughtful and gracious way. I appreciated the emphasis on veterans – with Charlie having just left the military and another character being a Vietnam veteran – and seeing how their experiences played a part in this story.

This was a fantastic debut novel, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series! Watch for the second book, Deadly Deceit, to come out in November!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review. Thank you, Revell!