So, I bout fell outta my chair when I discovered this was Natalie Walters debut novel. I loved Lane’s protective instincts and her ability to forge ahead. Charlie is a great hero with just the right amount of sensitivity and bravery. Living Lies isn’t shy about jumping into the well of stigmas around PTSD among veterans, and depression in all society.

Living Lies shows some hard truths but in a graceful revelation that isn’t jarring or rude. I applaud Natalie Walters for tackling tough subject material that is often shied away from. Lane has real problems, and her honest reactions reveal a depth of character that’s unmistakable.

There’s just enough about secondary characters to get you invested in their futures and snag you into reading the next book in the series. I love that Living Lies can be read in and of itself, with no cliffhanger requiring you to read further just to get the who-done-it.

Spiritually, it’s in the gray area for me. Not super strong, but not fluffy. Sheriff Huggins and Mrs. Birdie carried most of the weight in that area, becoming the wise elders for Lane and Charlie. Much like in real life, we sometimes turn away from the obvious answer until someone gives us pointed directions.

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.

Living Lies by Natalie Walters is book one in the Harbored Secrets series. This is the author's debut novel and I was excited to pick it up, especially since it happens to be my favorite genre. Right away, this book pulled me in and captivated my attention. The first few pages did an excellent job of establishing the main characters and their unique difficulties. It was also incredible terrifying and I was excited to read the rest. After the beginning, the rest of the book was okay. But I was most disappointed with the ending because it seemed to pull things together too perfectly in ways that did not seem authentic with the rest of the story. It jarred me out of the fictional world. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

The author hit the name of this book right on the head, and it played so well with the plot.
You won’t get very comfortable here and you will be guessing right to the end what really happened to Amanda on that Island. I am often able to figure out the end of my reads way ahead, but not this one. Nope! I thought several times I had it all figured out, and maybe you will, but the author really had me fooled with her little dropped clues.
If you like a mystery with a lot of drama, this one should satisfy.
Be aware surprises abound and you won’t see them coming!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Lake Union, and was not required to give a positive review.

Living Lies was a marvelous debut from author Natalie Walters. The writing was so great. I was immediately pulled into the story and completely invested in the characters' lives. And these characters! Oh my! They were so realistic in their struggles and hardships, triumphs and joys.

This novel tackles some difficult subjects (depression, PTSD, mental illness) with authenticity and grace. These topics should be brought into the light more often and I appreciated the way it was handled here.

I greatly enjoyed my time reading this book. The mystery was good and the suspense kept building. I've definitely found a new author to add to my auto-buy list. I can't wait for book two!

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my honest opinion.

Living Lies is such a good romantic suspense. The plot will keep you on the edge of your seat with its many twists and turns. Suspense fans will not want to miss this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my digital arc. This is my unbiased review.

Walters uses this romantic suspense novel to tackle the issues of mental illness, depression and suicide as well as the stigma attached to them. She does so with great empathy and compassion. Readers will walk away with renewed understanding of themselves whether as a sufferer or someone who interacts with someone openly dealing with these issues or someone living with the lies these issues speak to them. I highly recommend the novel Living Lies.

Lane Kent would describe herself as broken and unworthy. Her friends would describe her as empathetic and selfless. The burden of guilt she carried weighed heavily on her, and blinded her to the possibilities for the future. Deputy Charlie Lynch, a former Marine, knew what he wanted out of life, it was the reason he had come to Walton, Georgia, and he knew it needed to include Lane Kent. Convincing her that they had a future was something he was willing to work at for as long as it took. The fact that Lane's life seemed to be in danger from the perpetrator of Walton's first murder in thirty years only increased Charlie's desire to keep her close. Fans of romantic suspense will be excited to add Natalie Walters to their list of favorite authors.

I am grateful to have received a copy of Living Lies from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

This is a great romantic suspense. I really enjoyed the characters. This book shows the true effects of depression of a person and their friends and family. It also highlights how other people judge a person with depression especially the public who does not know the whole story

I enjoyed this debut romantic suspense. It dealt with some really tough issues like mental health, depression, grief, and family struggles. The male lead was tough and swoony. The female lead did a lot of growing as a character. She was a little hard to sympathize with because she wouldn't be honest with anyone. By the end, though, I felt like she had really come into her own. The mystery in this book was really well done. Everything comes to a head in the end and really kept me turning the pages. Highly recommended for readers of mystery and suspense.



I received a free copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley for review.

What a surprise this debut novel from Natalie Walters was! While the premise of this novel is suspense, it is also a beautiful love story and tender tale of discovering God’s purpose for one’s life. Walter’s characters are relatable, dynamic and immediately draw you in. The small town atmosphere that Walter’s created for this novel’s setting is picturesque and homey. This novel opens readers hearts to the topics of depression, suicide, PTSD and the stigmas surrounding mental health. The author lovingly depicts the beauty and purpose our Redeemer can offer those who find themselves or their loved ones facing fears and struggles that are larger than life itself. The suspense and heroism in this story is exactly what readers will find they want from this novel… The mild suspense keeps readers on edge as the mystery unfolds and the hero swoops in to save the day just as readers hope. My overall rating is a solid four star novel - a sweet and tender romance, a mysterious killer, and a beautiful discovery of second chances and finding a life worth living.

Can I just say, what a delightful find! This debut author has earned her place in the Christian suspense field. The opening lines drew me and from that point on, I was captivated. More than just a traditional “who done it” this story is bursting with hope, truth and enough romance to keep me firmly rooted in my reading chair until I finished. Moments of predictability are completely overshadowed by fresh characters who demand a long hard look at the stigmatism of mental health. Lane is a hero in her own right, and not just because she is willing to stand up for those she cares about. This is a required addition to your reading list.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book has a ton of things going for it! It has a unique mystery, an unlikely heroine and a love story I can believe in. I loved the way the plot unfolded in this story. I was able to guess a few things but the ideas were so new to me that I was still guessing at a lot of it. I loved that it wasn’t something I had really seen before. Lane, the heroine of the story, suffers from depression and her mental health and everything that goes along with it was handled really well. I appreciated that as well as the fact that despite her struggles and all of her doubts she still is able to move forward and act, especially when it really counts. I also loved the relationships in this story. Not just the love interest aspects, but the sister relationship too. I would definitely recommend this book and I am already looking forward to book two!

Look sharp, romantic suspense fans. There’s a new kid on the block! And she had me hooked from the first page of this story, invested not just in uncovering a murderer, but also in the lives of primary and secondary characters alike.

First, the suspense. Great plot! Some good, old-fashioned (with the help of technology) detective work, some high-stakes moments, but also some moments that raised the hairs on the back of my neck, even though I wasn’t quite sure whether there was anything sinister in it or not. That feeling of sensing but not knowing is such a great tension builder!

Second, the characters. There were some great secondary characters here, including Deputy Frost (who I’ve noticed will be the hero in the second book in the series—yay!) and Miguel, a reclusive Vietnam vet who’s suffering from PTSD. Deputy Frost I loved because he’s a little bit awkward and unsure of himself, a little bit nerdy, but really comes into his own as the investigation progresses. Miguel added a really strong layer of emotional tension to the story, but I can’t explain why if I want to avoid spoilers, so you’ll just have to take my word for it.

Finally, the main characters. I heartily applaud the author for the authenticity of Lane’s characterisation as a woman struggling with depression. Having struggled with it myself since my late teens, I found Lane’s emotional state of mind—her fears, her doubts, her weariness, even a certain flatness to her personality—were spot on. And I loved that there were people in her life who loved her where she was at. The way this issue was addressed in the story was really well done.

And Charlie? Well, he’s definitely the kind of hero I like to see in my romantic suspense novels. Genuine, personable, protective, and being a little bit rugged didn’t hurt any either. I thought the attraction between Lane and Charlie felt a little over-emphasised in the first part of the story, often in their thoughts (I prefer sensing the undercurrents over having lots of references to the characters’ mutual attraction in the early stages of a developing romance), but I enjoyed the way their relationship developed overall—especially the way Charlie responded to Lane’s struggles.

If you’re a fan of romantic suspense, you should definitely check this author out!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Wow, a fun new author to follow! I loved this book!

The suspense is excellent in this. But paired with the suspense is a very good small-town vibe, which generally isn't done or is just done by a Love Inspired Suspense author with scant chance for nice atmospheric descriptions. With Lane as a small-town restauranteur, there's so much that revolves around the quieter side of things, as well.

The mystery is edge-of-your seat as a killer not only can't be found but continues to make cryptic threats and damage things; what sense does it make? This part took me a good while to sort out and kept my brain delightfully busy. It's also hard to guess how things tie in to issues in nearby Savannah and to work out what possible interest the small town could have in a possible larger crime scene.

Two other major elements, the gentle romance and Lane's struggle with clinical depression, are more than enough to make this book sparkle. I loved every moment and had a hard time putting it down to do other things. I'd read a few chapters in an ebook, but the very day my review copy came in the mail I dropped everything and read to the end while toting it around the house in one hand during chores!

Thanks to Revell for a free reading copy. A positive review was not required.

What a wonderful debut novel this is. When an author can capture your attention from the very first page, then you know it’s going to be a good one. The author has written very sensitively about the subject of depression which the main character has had all her life. Lane has tried so hard to fit in with her prominent family but always feels she has failed. She feels responsible for her husband’s accident which took his life and tries so hard to overcome her feelings for the sake of her son. The author wove a beautiful story of love and a second chance for happiness. This story will wrap around your heart for days to come…….. My thanks to the publisher and author for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I was pleasantly surprised by this debut romantic suspense novel. Walters tackled a few serious issues and did a good job of it. The main issue is depression, something Lane, the main female character experienced. She struggled with feelings of not being stable enough to take a chance on romance. We hope Charlie, the new deputy in town, is willing to understand and be the support Lane needs.

Other issues in the novel include PTSD, guilt and the pressures put on a family when a powerful judge is running for the senate. That pressure just might include lying about the past so nothing can darken the judge's pristine reputation.

The book starts out with the body of a murdered teen discovered by Lane and our handsome deputy is on the case. The plot is rather complex and is balanced with lots of character revelation. Much of the inner thoughts are Lane's as she struggles with her depression.

This is a good debut effort. I recommend it to readers who enjoy a complex but good plot, some suspense, and a good deal of character concentration.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

In this debut novel by Natalie Walters, readers will be blown away with this suspense novel! Living Lies is a romantic suspense novel that begins with Lane at a critical moment in her life. This moment leads to Lane discovering a dead body. Next, the police must discover who and why the person is dead. The moment also leads Lane to meeting Charlie, the newest deputy for the area. Charlie is the lead detective on the case, because of his investigative skills. Together, they try to determine what occurred. Not only is Lane worried about herself, but her five year old son. As a widow, she is the sole protector of him. This book was suspenseful and intriguing throughout. This book focuses on forgiveness of ourselves and others and depression. Most books do not address depression in quite the context that Ms. Walters does. She brings awareness to this illness and provides people with a view of someone who struggles with this. I highly recommend this book! You will not be disappointed! I cannot wait for the next book in the series and learn more about a few of the secondary characters in this book!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

Just like that I have a new favorite Christian Romantic Suspense Author! I really enjoyed Ms Walters book, it reminded me a lot of Dee Henderson's writing. I really appreciated the unvarnished look at what it is like for someone who is living with depression. And that she had lived with this for most of her life. I think it's an especially important topic and something that needs to be talked about in the Christian community so people can see it is a health issue and not something that can be cured with prayer. I thought the author did a great job of showing the complexity of the character and her emotions. i.e. she is not sad all the time, she can still experience happiness.

This was a good read by a wonderful new author. I hate to give away spoilers while reviewing books so I won't attempt to write a detailed summary.

I will say that this book is more Inspirational rather than Christian. The main character was a bit whiny but I guess that comes with her "background" diagnosis. I enjoyed the mental illness aspect.

I enjoyed the story, and I am looking forward to reading the next book.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

“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 rocks and dust spiraling into the Ogeechee River below.” - Opening lines of Living Lies by Natalie Walters

Living Lies is the first book from Natalie Walters and what a great start! I shall be enjoying more of this author in the future.

Lane returns to her small hometown after a family tragedy which continues to haunt her. She is a complex and realistic portrayal of struggling with guilt and depression. Natalie does an expert job of challenging her character to work through the pain with the murder mystery storyline integrating Christianity gently throughout. Our leading man, Charlie has his own pain to wrestle with from his time serving in the military and adjusting to civilian life in the police force.

The murder mystery is interesting and filled with unexpected turns. Villains and heroes alike are well-thought through and developed! Despite the depression Lane is coming to term with and the murder, the sense is one of hope and positivity which I really appreciated.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and read it straight through! I highly recommend it, it’s a five out of five on the en-JOY-ment.