If you are looking for a good southern fiction novel, look no further than this book.  I think I have read everything by this author and I have yet to be disappointed.

What happens when you start a new life based on lies?  Can you keep up with the lies you have told so you don't get caught?  That is what Suzanna is having to face and it doesn't help when you have a young child that doesn't understand what needs to be kept secret and what you can say to others.  Add on to that the woman that has taken in her in believing that she is her granddaughter.  Is it Ida's desire to not be alone that has her convinced, or is there more to the situation?

This book is set in the 1960s which allowed Suzanna to get away with more than you probably could today.  No social media, no cell phones, no internet, none of the modern technology that we have today.  In fact, when she gets a job there is no checking social security numbers to make sure you have the right person working for you.

As I read this book, I could feel empathy for Suzanna and what she endured when she discovered she was pregnant, the father walking out on her and not taking responsibility, the way her own father kicked her out of the house because of her situation, and ending up with someone that didn't treat her well.  But I applaud her pluckiness in getting out of the situation she was in and off to find something better for her and her daughter.

Despite many positive characters in the book, it wouldn't be complete without a few antagonists.  Earl and Bobby and not the kind of people you want to inhabit your life.  Earl is a drunk and Bobby is something of a misogynist.  Bobby doesn't hate women, he just believes no woman can resist him.  Talk about your ego!  But I have to give Bobby props near the end when he actually does something that benefits someone else.  You'll have to read the book to find out what exactly he does right.

There is romance in this book for Suzanna which allows her to see what a real relationship should look like and how women should be treated. 

This is a story that will touch your heart but might also leave you a bit nervous at times when it comes to some tense situations regarding Earl and Bobby.  

We give this 5 paws up.

This is a beautiful story about how a lie turned into love. I loved the deep exploration into Suzanna and Ida’s characters and the relationships they form. Told from multiple perspectives, there are elements of a love story, family drama and suspenseful chase. I was wondering how long those secrets would stay hidden until the very end.

The story begins with Suzanna as a young adult who has lost her mother and her father does not care for anyone but himself. Hopping out of the frying pan into the fire, Suzanna begins a relationship with Earl, who she moves on from. The journey that Suzanna takes is one of small lies and new beginnings. As old suitors look for Suzanna, she begins a new life as Darla Jean where she finds the love she seeks with an elderly woman who give her what she has always wanted, a family for herself and her daughter. But with the lies she has told......will it last and can she find her forever happiness.

This book is written with Bette Lee Crosby's signature southern flair. It is one of those books that tears at your heartstrings and has you rooting for the characters to find what they are looking for.

Every time I read one of Bette Lee Crosby's books, I wonder how she manages to give me the "feels". I am so involved in the story and how it is going to play out.

If you haven't read any of her books, you should give them a try, you will fall in love with her characters and storytelling.

5 stars (less)

Bette Lee Crosby has a beautiful, magical way of pulling you into her stories, where they sit in your heart forever. Discover where true home is, where you learn about trust, forgiveness, and a very soul awakening book.

Riveting. Had me flipping the pages as fast as I could because I had to know what was going on. Engaging and entertaining.. Enjoy this wonderful book by a great writer. Happy reading!

An easy read but not totally believable. This book is romantic escapism. It was not really my cup of tea but I have a few friends that would really enjoy the romance in this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review. Sometimes you have to do things to save yourself and your child. That is what is happening here. A million little lies do sum up what is happening but sometimes life protects you, by bringing you to the right place.
Bette Lee Crosby has written another winner. There was never a plan, this just seemed to be happening, and a few times I found myself holding my breath. You know how the past can catch up to you, when it was happening here, I would hold my breath because I didn't want what had been happening to be destroyed.
This was an amazing story, with wonderful characters and a story that just felt so right.

Another glass of sweet tea from Bette Lee Crosby.

I always enjoy her books of relationships, family, drama, and forgiveness. This one is no different than usual. It's like watching a Hallmark movie but in slow motion.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book had got me from the first chapter. Suzanna lost her mother when she was 10 years old. She didn't want people to know how irresponsible her dad was due to his drinking, so she started telling lies to cover it up and didn't it would hurt anyone. As time went on it got easier for her to lie. The when she was a teenager she got pregnant and her boyfriend at the time was more concerned about his education. She ended up not going to school because she was staring to show so she never graduated. Her dad kicked her out of the house and a guy named Earl took her in. She had a baby girl who she named Annie. Things with Earl started to get bad. Suzanna decided she was going to go to New Jersey to start over. She took what money was in Earl's pocket and woke Annie up and they left. She started hitchhiking and a truck driver picked them up but, he was only going as far as Georgia. Suzanna went to the bus station to buy a bus ticket to New Jersey but, was told the next bus wouldn't leave until 10:30am the next morning and Suzanna didn't know what she was going to do. Suzanna saw a flyer for a wake for someone she never met but, there was going to be food at it and Annie was hungry. That is when Suzanna met Ida Parker [the wake was for Ida's husband Bill] as Ida thought Suzanna was her Grand Daughter [Darla Jean] who she hasn't seen since she is was an infant. Suzanna was embarrassed to do anything else so, she went along with it as she knew Annie was hungry. Suzanna thought what could it hurt to pretend she was someone else for a few hours. The hours ended up going into weeks as strangers became friends and she find love. Ida decided to rent out 2 rooms in her house and a gentlemen named Gregg rents a room. Suzanna [Darla Jean] and Gregg start to get close. Then during the Fashion show a guy in the audience recognizes Suzanna and tells his brother Bobby [Robert Doherty] who is Annie's father. Bobby finds Suzanna and tries to rekindle things and Suzanna was thinking about getting back together with Bobby but, then Suzanna finds out by mistake that he is married. Suzanna decided she had to talk to Ida and Gregg. I truly loved reading this book as it kept you wondering what was going to happen. I would definitely recommend reading this book. This book leaves you with not wanting to put it as you need to know what happens. Thank you Bette Lee Crosby for a very well written book!! #AMillionLittleLies #NetGalley

I will leave a review on Amazon or B&N on June 16, 2020

I have read several books by this author, and I must say I believe this one is my favorite so far. A Million Little Lies is a book about lies, loves, sadness and forgiveness. This authors books make you stop and look deep into yourself at times and think what would I do in the same situation. This was a quick and easy read, and one that kept me turning the pages.

I received an ARC of the book from NetGalley and the publisher, and this is my fair and honest review.

This was one of the better books I have read. Deception, heartbreak, love, family and the choices we make! Would recommend this book!

Wow! This was such a clever premise for a book. Ms. Crosby definitely writes an engaging story with well-developed characters. Suzanna/Darla Jean finds herself entrenched in a series of lies and it all started with one seemingly innocent fib. Unfortunately everything snowballed and one lie led to another and so on. Before she knew it, Suzanna was in so deep, she didn't know how to fix it. To complicate things further, her "grandmother" Ida is someone that she doesn't want to hurt no matter what. Throughout the entire book, I continually wondered how Suzanna would be able to fix this. When the conclusion finally arrives, I was impressed by how gracefully Ms. Crosby resolves everything.

I would consider A Million Little Lies to be women's fiction combined with family drama. Ms. Crosby has what I would deem to be a classic style and writes an entertaining read while doing so with "clean romance." It was a storyline that was easy to fall into and invest yourself in. I couldn't wait to finish the book so I could see how it finished up. This was the first book I've read by Bette Lee Crosby and it definitely will not be my last. I look forward to reading some of the books she's previously written as well as future books down the road.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bent Pine Publishing and Ms. Crosby for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

There is nothing like the feeling you get after reading a Bette Lee Crosby book! She's done it again with the beautifully written, stunning and heartwarming A MILLION LITTLE LIES!

Suzanna Duff has had enough of Earl Fagen and decides to take her daughter, Annie, to New Jersey. They end up stopping in Georgia, stumble on an opportunity for a free meal but a case of mistaken identity keeps them from leaving. Suzanna has a history of telling little lies that goes back to when she was ten and her mother died. So she decides to go with it for a few days, is struggling with the lie she's living but she loves her new life & family. What's she going to do? You'll love finding out when you go on this journey that will tug at your heart! I loved it and highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley and Bette Lee Crosby for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

Oh my goodness!!! What a wonderful story!!! I'm not generally a fan of books that I can't put myself in (era wise) but I completely loved this book!!! I am now a huge Bette Lee Crosby fan!! Suzanne/Darla Jean/Darla Sue had me rooting for her from the first few pages and I soooooo wanted the conclusion that we were given!! I don't want to spoil the book for anyone - but this is a fantastic love story with a tremendous theme - family is who we make it <3 Thankful to Netgalley for providing a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A life full of lies—you just know that that kind of life is going to end up all wrong. Right? Suzanna has been lying her whole life. And 'living a life of lies is a very difficult thing'.

Even with all of Suzanna's lying, Bette has once again created a very likable character. Suzanna has the best intentions with her lies, she's just trying to get by and make a better life for herself and her daughter, Annie. She never could of imagined the magnitude of the lies that she would end up telling when they stopped in a small town in Georgia. All they wanted was a quick meal before they continued on their journey.

A Million Little Lies is a beautifully written story full of interesting characters, some you will love and some you will despise. I especially loved Ida and wished I had someone in my life like her. Bette's characters are always so likable, memorable, and real. Suzanna, Annie, and Ida's story is one that you need to discover and it will be one that you will not soon forget. And as always, there are bits of wisdom all throughout the book, something that I just love about Bette's books.

"Oh! What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!" (Walter Scott)

Suzanna has spent a lifetime telling lies. Some are intended to deceive others; many are intended to deceive herself. It turns out that the lies Suzanna tells herself are the ones that end up hurting the most. At what point to the lies we tell ourselves catch up with us?

Suzanna grew up with abuse, leaving an abusive father to move in with an abusive man. When she finally executes her plan of escape, Suzanna and her daughter, Annie, head for New Jersey. An opportunity for a free meal turns into a long-term stay in Georgia. During the stay in Georgia, Suzanna and Annie become part of a family. A real family - one where people accept each other despite their faults, and love each other unconditionally. Only it takes Suzanna nearly a year to realize that the family she has grown into loves her for herself. At that point, she can finally be free of the burden of her lies.

A nice, easy read, with delightful characters, filled with hope and forgiveness.

Thanks to NetGalley for the early read!

I loved this book! Bette Lee Crosby has a way of weaving, yes wearing a story like no other. So many life lessons are in her books. What began as a lie became a whole new way of life for our main character, a wonderful life. She ultimately tells the truth. I felt like I was there in this story and when she agonized over choices, I was wringing my hands, rooting for her. I highly recommend this book.

Suzanna Duff and her eight-year-old daughter Annie had finally escaped Earl and the harsh life they’d been living. Suzanna’s life had been a hard one since her mama died when she was ten years old and her daddy – drunk and abusive – didn’t want her. Now, hitching a ride with a trucker, they were heading to New Jersey. But when the trucker let her off in Georgia, the bus to New Jersey didn’t go until the following day. A note on a wall saw Suzanna and Annie head to a wake where there was free food; Suzanna reasoned the meal, then sleeping in the park would be all they’d need to do before catching the bus next morning.

The elderly Ida Parker was mourning the loss of her husband William. Their marriage had been a close one and now Ida was alone, she had no idea how she would manage without her Bill. When Ida saw Suzanna, she welcomed her as her long-lost granddaughter, Darla Jean. Ida was happy her granddaughter and great granddaughter had returned to her life, and just knew Bill must have sent them. Suzanna thought a couple of days with Ida couldn’t hurt, then they’d board that bus to New Jersey…

Settling into life with Ida, Annie loved her great grandma and Suzanna soon grew to love her as well. She had feelings of guilt at the lies she’d told and tried to make things right. But it was when the past reared its ugly head that Suzanna was stuck at a crossroad. What was she to do? Annie loved her life and truth be told, so did Suzanna. But some hurting was to come…

A Million Little Lies by Bette Lee Crosby is another wonderful read by an author who never disappoints. Good, strong characters – I especially loved Ida and Annie – with the usual southern charm, flicker of romance and powerful family dynamics, the issue of trust, love, lies and second chances flows through the story. A great read which I highly recommend.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

"What a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." (Sir Walter Scott, 1808) And Suzanna has an unbelievable web of lies that go back to her childhood. You will understand why she lies...and continues to do so.

This is a powerful story of love, loss, family, trust, truth, lies, forgiveness, and a sense of belonging. Your heart will be touched by Suzanna; her daughter, Annie; and Ida. You will also be irritated at some of the characters and their lack of integrity.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bent Pine Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Bette Lee Crosby manages to draw you into the story and helps you to open up your heart and feel with such depth.

The problem with lying is that you tell one, then others follow to prevent that first lie from coming out. This is what happens to Suzanne Duff. She began lying after her mother dies, to cover up the miserable life she has with her father and the lies become bigger as she grows.
As usual, Bettie Lee Crosby can create a tale that journeys through loss, heartache, struggle, a search for stability and love, and come out of it with opportunities, friendships, security, trust and love.
You will follow Suzanne’s journey from unwed mother, a disappointing relationship, a flight to save herself and Annie. Using her skill for lying, she finds the perfect life, only to have it put in jeopardy, when her past comes back to threaten her security.
A beautiful ending, as Suzanne finds that love, forgiveness and truth, are much better ingredients for a happy life. My thanks to #NetGalley and Bent Pine Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own. I loved this story and guarantee it’s a 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️