One Little Lie is most definitely a unique story with some different twists that set the characters up for trouble when they least expect it. A young woman, only 15, escapes with her father from cult life, leaving behind her mother and the baby the young woman has just birthed. Her father convinces her the child has died and they must put the past behind them in order to make new lives. 15 years later, circumstances finds her living a much different life. She is now police chief of a small town, succeeding her father's career as police chief. Multiple crimes keep her busy while her personal life is complicated. Colleen Coble manages to tie up the many story lines into one HUGE reveal that will have you cheering! A good thriller that has many clues that will misdirect your attention if you are not watching.

It has been a while since I read a Colleen Coble book, so I was glad to have one come across my queue for a review! This one starts out with a bang, gripping you from the first page, as you witness a teenager giving birth and then being ripped away from a cult that had been her life for as long as she could remember.

Flash forward another 15 years, and we meet Jane, who has just taken over as Chief of Police after her father's retirement. Most people support her, but there are a few who are not happy she has taken on this role. Add to the stress a person known as The Vigilante who keeps killing people for their sins, and the camera guy doing a documentary on small town police offices who has been instructed to follow her every move.

There's a lot going on in this story. A lot of people have a lot of secrets, and they are all intertwined. Some of them you are going to figure out pretty quickly. But some of them, you will not. Pay attention to the relationships as all of these layers are peeled back. It's almost too much at some points. But then all of those pieces do fall together nicely as the case is finally solved at the end.

There's no cliffhanger as far as the murders are concerned, but there is one of sorts when it comes to Jane and a certain relationship in her life! How she is going to handle that situation almost felt like a cliffhanger to me. But the author says in her afterword that she felt Jane's story was too large for just one book, and we should get the satisfactory conclusion in the next installment due out this fall. I'm holding you to that, Colleen Coble! lol

But overall, I did enjoy the story. I kept my attention during a time of a lot of uncertainty in the world and was a welcome distraction. I gave it 3.5 stars.

Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and Prism Book Tours for providing me a requested review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A green police chief, vigilante justice, and a town full of secrets. Mixing these together with Colleen Coble’s compelling suspense and a dollop of romance brings you One Little Lie, a “most excellent” police adventure.
I really loved the storyline and most of the characters. The jury is still out on a few of them, namely the mayor, whom I’m trying to figure out. I did enjoy Jane Hardy and Reid and Will Dixon. Will sounds like one very neat teenager. Jane and Reid work together well. I have to wonder about how involved Reid was in the cases, as a civilian. Yet, my mind argues back that real life can be hard to separate into separate columns, and this just solidifies that point.
The bay seems to be a little murky and so are so many of the relationships in this faith-filled novel. We see true friendship, bad parenting, misguided parenting, great parenting, and arms that lost the child they should have parented. I can just imagine Jane, if she had a theme song, singing “Lies,” from Jonathan Butler eons ago. The question is, who would she be singing it about? Faith, love, forgiveness, deceit, and revenge all surface in Pelican Harbor. Unfortunately for us, the readers, a neat ending does not. I appreciated Coble’s note that explained her reasoning. I appreciated that we had a “soft” ending, with more to come in the next Pelican Harbor installment (Two Reasons to Run, coming September 2020), rather than a rushed, messy ending. Definitely a book to pick up, but preferably during daylight hours, with plenty of safe people around.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. This does not affect my opinions, which are solely my own.

One Little Lie by Colleen Coble is book one in a new series - The Pelican Harbor. Oh my what a start. The story shows how one tiny lie can grow and stir up chaos. Jane and Reid make for an interesting couple with loads of chemistry. There is a lot going on in this story that keeps you turning the page. Fast-Paced Adventure with lots of suspense and a touch of romance.

ONE LITTLE LIE is written by one of my favorite romantic suspense writers, Colleen Coble. I did figure out a lot of the secrets the characters hid, but there were some twists I never saw coming. As per usual, the story starts with a lot of seemingly unrelated storylines, but stay with it because they all tie together at the end and getting there is half the fun.



The story never got terribly scary. There is some creepiness. It is very fast paced though, so once you start you won't want to stop reading. The romance is weak, tacked in there, but very backseat to the suspense.



I love Ms. Coble's books and am anxiously waiting for the next one.



I was given an ecopy free, and all opinions are my own.

I was not happy with the ending! Why, do you ask? The ending left cliffhangers I wasn't expecting. I thought I still had another chapter to go. I wanted closure.

One Little Lie kept me riveted to the edge of my seat. I was surprised so many times that I lost count. I'm happy to learn that book two is set to be released in September.

The is a clean Christian suspense with a little romance. There is mild violence but nothing with gory detail.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Thomas Nelson - Fiction, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

When Jane Hardy is appointed to take her father’s place as chief of police, her world is quickly turned upside down by murder, kidnapping, and a vigilante bent on inflicting their own brand of medieval justice. Reid Bechtol has come to Pelican Harbor under the guise of filming a documentary, but his real motives revolve around one little lie—a lie that has the power to change everything in Jane’s life. Both the one she’s living now and the one she left behind.

With One Little Lie, Colleen Coble delivers yet another page turner. Weaving in the darkly fascinating elements of life in a cult, Coble has created a story and a cast of characters that leave readers eager for the next installment.

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

Ah, Jane and Reid, one of my new favorite couples. They have a long road ahead of them, but I trust Colleen Coble to bring them through. They might be a little worse for wear, but I know they’ll emerge with a stronger faith and a deeper devotion to God and family.

I sense a shift in style happening, or maybe I’m having a weird day. I think I even mentioned something along these same lines before. I can’t put my finger on what’s happening, it’s that subtle, but the winds are changing. The action and suspense are still strong, and the Christian aspect flows, but I think the physical danger might be slightly more breezy than before.

Anyway.

What would happen if you believed in a lie? Well, that depends on the lie, right? Here’s where things fall apart for Jane. For the last fifteen years, she’s been lied to. And as those lies begin to fall apart, everything she knows starts to unravel. What makes this story so meaningful and worthwhile is that everything, every action by the people in Jane’s life, can be traced back to one little lie. That lie might not have directly caused danger and deceit, but what happened because of the lie brought a whole heap of trouble down on Pelican Harbor.

If you’ve ever been lied to, you can easily connect with Jane. And if you’ve ever been tempted to lie to someone, even to spare them pain, this story can show you how a single lie morphs into an entire world of destruction.

This is where I love Colleen Coble’s work. Her ability to twist the entire story into a spiderweb of possibilities while keeping the reader engaged is one of the reasons I always come back to her books. She’s not afraid to hammer down some tough subjects and she does it with dignity for everyone involved.

If you enjoy fast-paced, thrilling action covered with a net of mystery and a hint of romance, you need to check out this new series.

I requested a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

One Little lie is the first book in the brand new Pelican Harbor series by Colleen Coble. If you enjoy reading Christian suspense stories with a touch of romance, don’t hesitate to pick this book up.

I truly enjoyed the main character, Jane, who came from a difficult background after growing up in a cult, and rose through the ranks of the local police force to become the chief. Jane is a strong female lead who cares about people and doing the right thing. It will be interesting to see how she grows as the series continues, because so far, she has learned to rely solely on herself, and is cautious about Christianity. The other characters in the book work well in this story from Jane’s father who got her out of the cult to Jane’s friends and the police officers who report to her. However, not everyone is quite what they seem.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

Colleen Coble is a master of stories filled with mystery, intrigue, crime a lot of suspense and romance to last one a life time.

One Little Lie did not disappoint. A story surrounding people with pasts and a lot of danger and secrets to disrupt the present, this book will keep you hooked till the last page. The characters are wonderful and the storyline captivating.

Jane and Reid's uncommon romance will delight your heart.

I received a copy of the book and this is my honest opinion.

There were many interesting aspects to this good mystery. There are insights into the long lasting effects of being raised in a cult. There is the whole issue of lies and whether it is appropriate to lie to keep another person from hurting. Then there is the difficulty of forgiveness. Even though this novel is basically a police procedure mystery, there are a number of subplots that keep the story interesting and moving at a good pace.

Because of the many spiritual and relationship issues, the novel is mostly character driven. Even so, this is a good mystery with many possible suspects and a good twist near the end. The plot is very complex and at times seemed almost unrealistic. Coble is good at crafting a complex plot, however, and it kept my interest. The only flaw, I felt, might have been that the villain's motive and ultimate evil desire was not set up well enough.

This novel is the first in a two part series so be prepared to be left hanging. I think you will find the characters interesting enough that like me, you will be waiting for the sequel coming out later this year.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

One Little Lie by Colleen Coble is the debut of The Pelican Harbor Series. Jane Hardy escaped a cult fifteen years ago with her father. They have been living in Pelican Harbor, Alabama where Jane was just appointed the chief of police following her father’s sudden retirement. Reid Dixon, a journalist who makes documentaries, is making a film on small town police department’s and he will be following Jane around for the next two weeks. Jane is shocked when the FBI arrest her father for theft and money laundering. Jane knows that someone is setting him up and she intends to discover who is behind the plot. She will need Reid’s help if she is to save her father while solving a string of vigilante crimes. Reid has another reason for being in Pelican Harbor, but he is not yet willing to reveal the truth. But who knows what trouble his silence will cause. One Little Lie is described as a romantic suspense, but I believe it is more of a police procedural with a little romance. I enjoyed all the action happening in the book. It kept the book propelling forward at a quick pace. I liked that I was pulled into the story right away. Fifteen years have passed since Jane and her father escaped the cult. Jane still wonders about her mother who refused to leave with them. Jane has her hands full with a series of vigilante crimes. After the first two incidents, a woman is found murdered. Then a torso is found in a cooler in the bay where shrimpers are known work. Then Jane’s father is arrested, and she knows that someone is setting him up. Jane needs help if she is going to help her father and find the vigilante. I liked the complex crimes with various twists and turns. There are good clues to help readers solve the crimes before the solution is revealed. Those who are avid readers of whodunits will find this mystery a piece of cake. The take down scene was filled with suspense and action. I loved the addition of Parker, Jane’s K9 dog. I like that the romance was just a small part of the book. It was a natural evolution of Jane and Reid being thrown together. The Christian element was light but powerful. I like how the author handled it. I admit that I was reluctant to pick up One Little Lie because it was written by Colleen Coble (but I really liked the blurb). I have not enjoyed her books in the past, but One Little Lie was different. I am now eager for the next book in The Pelican Harbor Series.

This book contains exciting action throughout the whole story that kept me on the edge of my seat! There are twists and turns that I definitely did not expect. I liked how the action slowed down intermittently to develop the characters more deeply and craft a really interesting backstory to the two main characters. I think I was a little disappointed that although the action and main suspense storyline wrapped up well at the end of the book, the overarching character story left me hanging. I am, however, really excited for the next book and the rest of the series! The romance is unique and complicated, which drew me in and involved my emotions nearly from the beginning. The characters have their flaws and their failings but I loved watching them grow and change with God’s transforming power throughout the novel. I highly recommend this book to those who like contemporary mystery! I cannot wait to read more by this talented author!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I love Colleen Coble!!! <3

There isn't much fiction that I've found dealing with cults as the backdrop. That's an interesting setup. I figured out pretty quickly that <spoiler> Jane was Button and Reid was Moose, making Will the baby son who was ALIVE</spoiler>! Still, the details were a little fuzzy. I'm super excited to know that this will be a series focused on these characters, rather than a series where each book has a different MC that are still connected to the others in some way.

I may have missed something, but it felt abrupt, Jane bringing up her past to Reid. Like, she just up and mentioned Liberty's Children and there hadn't been a transition. I never suspected the criminal or the motive for it. So sad and twisted. Rather than being thankful for grace and opportunities, they threw it all away for bitterness and revenge.

I'm really excited to see where this series goes and get to know the characters better. I'm not super connected to them yet, but I think I will get there.

The first book in Colleen Coble's new suspense series, The Pelican Harbor, begins with riveting suspense and continues till the very end which left me hanging with some threads and screaming in my head "don't stop now!" One Little Lie is only the beginning with many more lies adding to the danger, confusion and hurt. With lost souls and complicated relationships, the two main characters, Jane and Reid, both were struggling with a childhood spent in a cult; yet only Reid knew that there was more to their connection then just a present day spark. Will, Reid's son, was a mature young adult who knew exactly what he did and didn't want in his life, and Harry was a little one you wanted to hug, hold close and keep from all harm. Throw in a well behaved K-9 dog, along with some secondary characters who were debatedly good or evil; and the cast, along with the plot, took off like a bang and never stopped.

I loved that Coble's main female character was a police chief in a small town. It's wonderful to see a woman in a not so common vocation. This book will keep you reading and leave you hungry for the next book in this series. Please Colleen make it soon!

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

There is nothing better than a good suspenseful story that has all the elements that make you want to read as fast as you can. I loved the characters and how their problems seeped into each others lives. What is so good about this story is the undeniable intrigue that had my heart pounding as danger seems to lurk right below the surface.
Jane has been appointed Police Chief after her father retires. It is obvious that not everyone is happy with this news and Jane finds herself deep in an investigation where bodies turn up, her father is being investigated and lies tarnish people’s integrity. Oh how I loved reading that Jane didn’t back down from anyone and was determined to get to the truth. Jane’s past is very secretive to most and she can’t shake that maybe it will come out at some point.
Reid was an interesting character and I wasn’t quite sure what his true motive was . He has been granted to follow Jane and do a documentary on her because she is a female Chief of Police. Does he know about Jane’s past? Reid has his own secrets that start to pop up and he knows he needs to deal with them. I did find it interesting that his son never knew his mother and the author gives subtle hints that may tie him to someone in the story. This is the type of writing the author is known for. She weaves several characters together and has their lives intersect at critical moments. The author is also very good at placing faith elements in her story that are gracefully done. I did find it a bit odd that Reid would allow his son to tag along at some of the places him and Jane went. It bothered me that a teenager would be allowed to listen in on investigations and be put in danger.
As the title implies, lies no matter how many you tell always find a way to the surface. We often think one little lie won’t hurt anyone. This story proves how wrong that thinking is as secrets, lies, deceit and revenge unravel lives and put people’s reputation on the line. My heart went out to Will as he realizes he has been lied to all his life. How do you trust someone who has never been truthful to you?
The story is filled with action and lessons in forgiveness, overcoming your past and trust. I loved how the author takes a story and captures realistic issues while keeping readers guessing of the outcome. Not all questions will be answered in this book, so be looking for the next in this series.
“A lie is a betrayal that hits you where you really live.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Colleen NEVER disappoints, you'll always get a book that's not only keeps your interest, but has you rapidly turning pages long into the night! This new series keeps up her standard, with a solid debut entry! Jane is obviously flawed by her childhood experiences, turns a blind eye to her dad's eccentricities, and now has mere days to prove that she CAN be the new chief and handle a department that might not want her there AND solve multiple cases, including a homicide (or two). While there are many things that the reader picks up on quite early, it watching to see how Jane picks them up, that keeps the readers attention. A quick read, this is perfect for getting lost in small town shenanigans,

This is an excellent mystery book. The characters and the story line is complex except for one part (miner) that I guessed halfway through. This is the first book in a series that I will definitely be following..
#netgalley #thomasnelson #coleencoble

Wow !!! I loved this book !!! A deliciously chilling and brilliantly written thriller filled with secrets , betrayal and lies !! You will find yourself so immersed in the story that you won't want it to end ! Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read and review this book ! I received a complimentary copy of this book . Opinions in this review are completely my own ! #Netgalley #ThomasNelson #OneLittleLie

What an outstanding story!! I hardly know where to start when it comes to talking about it.
Maybe a good place to start is to say how great the mysteries were in this book. If you are looking for intensity with your mysteries, this book delivers. Evil is definitely at work on several different levels but so are all the secrets and outright lies. Which makes this the perfect title for this book.
And the people? Wow, they were well drawn with plenty of depth. Even the ones that weren't all that likeable. But I really liked Jane, Reid and Will. They were so well written that it was easy to become interested in what happens to them. But yes, Reid is hiding some important information too.
There is a lot of pots being stirred but without making it overwhelming. There is also elements of faith in God and also how people in the cult had been lied to and now feared anything to do with church or God. Still not overwhelming to me in the story either.
The story comes to a slamming conclusion with many things exposed. There are several threads that have NOT concluded yet so...cliffhanger? I went "ouch" when I got to that part. The writing was so good though I still had to give it 5 stars on Amazon.
There is another book in this series supposed to come out in September. You will have to decide if you want to continue or not.

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