This is my first book from Tammy L. Gray and now she’s one of my favorite authors! I totally fell in love the story, the characters and their growth, the unpredictable plot, the funny and dramatic moments... It’s definitely a book where I laughed out loud and cried up next. It’s emotional, realistic, heart tugging. I really couldn’t put it down, and I was so glad when I learned (I wasn’t totally aware) that this is a series and we’ll get to know the story of other characters as well! That’s, by the way, another thing I loved, the secondary characters are also so loveable and relatable that you feel part of the community and friends. I really can’t wait for her to write another character’s story!
Jan (for January) is as unique as her name is. I loved her personality: quirky and witty, flawed, yet with a heart of gold that yearns to help others. She is completely heartbroken after a failed relationship with a total jerk. Her relationship with her mom is not good to say the least and her dad is out of the picture. So when her aunt Doreen invites her to stay with her while she gets recovers and heals from the blow, she gladly accepts. Aunt Doreen is the real motherly figure she has always lacked. She even gets Jan an interview for a temporary job at her church. Which is great, because she needs to busy herself to forget, but is not at all great, because she’s not a believer, she’s agnostic in fact! So, she gets the job because the church’s team is overloaded, but she omits a tiny detail in her interview (they obviously assume she’s Christian if she’s applying for a job there), that is her lack of faith. This not so tiny issue will be the start of God wooing her into believing in Him, through more than one instrument in her life. I loved that many little things and dialogues with different characters made her question her firm non believing status. It was a beautiful sight to behold, the way she gradually opens up to faith in God and in Jesus. It’s not an immediate change, like a lightning bolt. I liked that it was gradual and done in a natural non forced way. It was she who came to finally realize that the Higher Power she denied, not only existed, but loved her and forgave her in an unconditional way!
But it was her journey that made the book so good, and all the people that intervened. I especially loved Aunt Doreen, so motherly, yet respectful and never pushy, with an air of fredoom and openess that was really attractive.
Then there was the love triangle. Cameron, the gorgeous guitarrist she’s immediately attracted to. With a kind and innocent heart, a beautiful soul that worships God with his music, yet still looking for his real calling in life. Then there was Dillon, the brooding and rough around the edges architect that was working for her Aunt Doreen, with his blunt honesty and penetrating gaze, who seemed to know everything about her past and brokeness and who had his fair amount of grief to deal with and yet to heal himself.
This book is pretty rich: character growth, inspirational message about opening up to God, about loving oneself, about forgiveness and redemption. Read by Jan’s point of view makes it so easy to understand her and love her as she goes on her journey, not without guilt, to healing in a way she never expected. I liked that her relationship with her mother is an issue that was not left behind, and I liked how it wrapped up at the end. Nothing is perfect, as nothing in life is, which makes it more relatable, but you can see there’s always kindness and a positive light in these people.
I truly enjoyed this story, Jan’s journey to faith, and I definitely recommend it to anyone. Even if the story centers around the church’s life, it didn’t feel preachy at all. Very relatable and ordinary.
I’m surely about to search for Tammy’s other novels and can’t wait for the next one in this series!
I received a copy of this book from Bethany House vía NetGalley and this is completely my honest and unbiased opinion.

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

Well I must say that it took me a lot to get into the book, I think I could not feel like the protagonist, but in the end I was hooked and I read it with great pleasure. It has made me quite agile. Although I am Roman Catholic (born and raised) and the whole matter of divorce and those mega congregations, pastors and all that world is quite alien to me, I can quite empathize with the search for the Truth of the protagonist, and her encounter with Our Lord Jesus Christ. I think in general I liked it a lot and I recommend it.

An absolutely brilliantly written novel by one of my favorite Christian authors! Humor, wit, and emotional depth abound in this sweet contemporary love story. So glad to see this stand-alone will be turned into a series! Gray is deserving of all praise and accolades received on this one! An easy 5-stars!

Love and a Little White Lie is such a delightful book and a real page turner. The characters are great and relatable with traits that make them seem so real. January Sanders did not grow up going to church and is in fact agnostic. She was raised by her mom and a few step dads have marched through her life. She is close to her mom's sister, Doreen, but the two sisters are estranged. When Jan follows a boyfriend to Texas from Georgia and things go downhill, she reaches out to her Aunt Doreen. Doreen owns a wedding venue on the property where she and her husband live. She sets Jan up in a bridal cabin that is never used and then gets her a job at her church even though she knows Jan's views on God. This is tricky for Jan to keep her lack of faith a secret but she quickly meshes into her job; she evens finds Cameron, a guy from the praise band, that she can relate to and have fun with. Kyle is another guy that she meets through her aunt and uncle; she and Kyle clash like crazy. There is a lot of chemistry there.
What was so special to me was how Jan is drawn to people that need a little help, whether a patient in a nursing home or her overworked and unhappy boss and his wife. She feels the pain of others.
Even though she doesn't believe in God, in many ways, she shows grace to others that is special. Jan is funny, loving, witty, and quick to make others feel comfortable. She lives dangerously when her relationship grows with Cameron and the sparks fly with Kyle. I have to say that I was hoping that she would end up making the right choice in the boyfriend department and I was happy with how things turned out. This is a lovely story of the power of how God works in people, even when they might not want it to happen. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

First person point of view took awhile to feel comfortable, but proved to be an excellent choice for conveying the story.

Strong prose. The characters come alive with real heart break, challenges, weaknesses, foibles and fun.

Satisfying ending. I wondered how the author could get us there, but she did it.

At times, I found January’s lies, immaturity, and preconceived notions annoying, but her discovery of genuine people who are saved by grace, not perfection captured the essence of her conversion.

The romance proved to be a sweet, deep connection that I truly appreciated.

I plan to read this one again. Highly recommended.


I received a copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own and provided of my own volition.

A persons journey to or through faith is wrought with ups and downs. The way that Tammy wrote January's journey was inspiring. It makes you think about your own journey and the choices you make.

This was my first book that I read from the author and enjoyed it. This is how evangelism happens, accepting others for who they say they are, doing life and walking alongside them.

January hits rock bottom and decides it is time for a change. She moves into a cabin on her aunt’s wedding-venue property and accepts a job at a church despite being a lifelong skeptic of faith.
What she does not count on is meeting a very handsome guitarist at church and sparks start to fly. Can she avoid her lie being exposed especially when a landscape architect pushes January into exposing feelings that she would rather keep buried?

A story that we can all relate to, seasons where we question God and wonder why things happen. Knowing that there is hope and God works through all things. I highly recommend “Love and A Little White Lie.”

I received a copy of the book from the author/Bethany House in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

Another "stayed up past my bedtime reading" book!
This is a beautiful story of finding self-worth, happiness, true love, and most importantly, finding faith. I was drawn into the story from the very beginning. An agnostic working in a church is a unique plot.
January (Jan), Dillon, Cameron, Darcy, and Aunt Doreen feel like people I know in real life. I loved all the characters.
I really liked how Jan found herself, her story, her choice. Her past was about making other people happy, giving up, or doing things for them.
The romance is great too! ❤ Flirty, kissy, talking, getting to know each other fun!

I've enjoyed every book Gray has written--some of which tugged at my heart more than others--but this, THIS was on a whole 'nuther level. I loved it! It was honest, heartfelt, and sincere...witty, tense at times, and romantic (of course!)

The only bad thing about this book is that it had to come to an end. When it did, I felt I'd lost a connection with a true friend (the main character, January). I can't wait to see what Gray writes next.

I received this book "Love and a Little White Lie" from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own. I love Tammy L. Gray's writing style and her books are amazing! I really enjoyed reading this new book. I could not put it down and the story line was incredible. It felt like you were right there in the story, these characters could have been your friends. The words just flow so smoothly. I love the main character January and what a great name! Beautiful story! Tammy is one of my go to authors, if she has a new book I know I will have to read it. Can't wait for the next one!

A few years ago, I stumbled upon Tammy L. Gray as she was promoting her series, Bentwood. Charmed by her relatable and realistic narratives, I was devastated when I learned that Tammy was contemplating quitting. Thankfully, God intervened and sparked new inspiration that led to the creation of her latest novel, Love and a Little White Lie.

After years of failed relationships and endless disappointment, January Sanders seeks refuge on her Aunt Doreen’s property while she licks her wounds after the worst breakup of her life. With her life in shambles, January apprehensively agrees to take a job at her aunt’s church, despite being an agnostic. How bad can a little white lie hurt, right? Nevertheless, as January immerses in the community, sparking a romantic interest in one of the church’s musicians, she will learn that there are always consequences when it comes to withholding the truth.

Love and a Little White Lie is the perfect contemporary novel! Each chapter brought growth, love, revelation, and passion that many authors use to create narratives based solely on physical attraction; however, Tammy takes those emotions and introduces a spiritual aspect that powerfully transforms the story. I felt a piece of myself in each of the characters and appreciated the way this novel portrayed Christians as being imperfect, even making a few jokes at the stereotypes. On a few occasions, I had to hold back tears as the raw emotions exuded off the page!

Tammy L. Gray has made an epic return to writing, and this new book highlights the incredible things God has been doing in her life! A new season is upon her, and I know that this story is going to be the first of many more incredible books. If you enjoy clean romance, Christ-centered stories, and narrative you can relate to, Love and a Little White Lie is a book you don't want to miss!

*I was given a copy of this book by Bethany House publishers through Netgalley, and this is my honest opinion.

4.5 Stars!
Per usual, this author delivered an honest and authentic portrayal of healing, restoration, and love. What started a little slow for me, ignited in the second half and ended in a powerful finale.

I’m going to be honest and say how I didn’t care for January throughout a portion of this story. Yet, the author manages to show an authentic gentling of her characterization as she slowly discovers a faith of her own through the steadfast and non-judgmental love of those around her, as well as bearing witness to the healing transformation of others.

While I’ve always enjoyed Gray’s writing and evocative story-telling, I especially enjoyed the strong faith thread in Love and a Little White Lie. Even without, this author consistently delivers stories with realistically broken characters who have to finally and ultimately rely on God for their healing and deliverance. All that and a very swoon-worthy romance, too!

A captivating story about January, who moves to her aunt’s ranch after a terrible breakup and takes a temporary job in a place she would have never imagined, a church. She acts that part showing compassion to others along the way, but never expects to fall in love with the people there. A great book that takes you through the highs and lows of self-discovery, budding romance, true love, and the fallouts of little white lies. Tammy L. Gray’s writing is so picturesque and you feel like you are being transported into the story and living it out among the characters. Overall, a book that I would highly recommend, especially for the lover of romance stories. Looking forward to reading the next books in the State of Grace series.

“It’s time for me to ask the hard questions. To face my own doubt and stop spending my life tossed back and forth by the wind. It’s time I stop pretending and figure out who I really want to be.”

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

HANDS DOWN THE BEST BOOK I HAVE READ ALL YEAR!

Tammy L. Gray’s books have all been amazing but, Love and a Little White Lie is hands down my favorite book yet. It seems that her union with Bethany House for this book was a match made in heaven. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book and once it was safely ensconced on my Kindle, I could not put it down! I keep coming back to it over and over again. The two days it took for me to devour my initial read was not enough time with these characters. Tammy has a way of drawing you into a story and making you feel right at home with the characters. The heroine, January Sanders, is real, raw, and you cannot help rooting for her as she traverses the road to redemption and love. I have to say this book did not end the way I originally saw it going because, the book was so much more than what I had imagined. Tammy L. Gray has mastered the art of storytelling and I am blessed to have spent time with Love and a Little White Lie.

This reviewer received an advanced reader copy in return for her impartial review.

This was a delightful contemporary romance. I enjoy books set in churches, so this one had me right from the start. There were plenty of moral dilemmas to work around and lessons to be learned that kept things interesting. The chemistry between the main characters was lots of fun. Such great banter! You can't have a good romance without a little angst. Highly recommended!

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

This is an extremely engaging story with great characters! I love it when an author can write flawed, multi-faceted characters with depth, make me care about them enough to lose sleep over them, and then write a beautiful redemptive journey for them, and Tammy Gray checked all those boxes for me with this book! My only complaint is that I wish there had been more talk of Jesus in this book rather than just the importance of coming to believe in God and starting to pray. That's a personal pet peeve of mine and may not be an issue for anyone else, but since I always promise an unbiased, honest review, I felt I needed to add that. It certainly didn't bother me enough to lose a star in the rating or to keep me from re-reading this book and highly recommending it to others!

When life sends non-believer January Sanders in a downward spin, she ends up living with her aunt Doreen and working at Doreen’s church. Tammy Gray’s Love and a Little White Lie, told from January’s point of view, is unusual in the Christian Fiction genre as we get a look at the inner thoughts of someone who has rejected faith as she is drawn to people who don’t share her views. However, we also get a glimpse into the workings of restoration in so many ways.

I love how Tammy Gray writes stories about less-than-perfect characters who grow throughout the story as they are brought into contact with other flawed, but real characters who help them on their journey.

I was a bit puzzled by the two guys that January was drawn to in the story, but Gray brought that part of the story to a satisfying conclusion as well. The romance in this story is a winner.

I highly recommend this book as well as other books by Tammy L. Gray.

A complimentary copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Every once in a great while, I read that rare book that reaches deeper, feels richer, and makes a more profound impact than others. THIS is such a book! A 2020 Favorite.

Sometimes books take on such importance due to the current state of my environment, sometimes due to my present emotions, and sometimes simply because it’s an exceptional story. Love and a Little White Lie hits all three marks.

Personally, the current Covid-19 pandemic has hit close to home. My daughter, a healthcare worker, is battling this dreadful Coronavirus. It’s a scary, unpredictable disease, and reminds me and my family of the immeasurable importance of having God in our lives. My emotions as of late resemble a seesaw, teetering between fear and faith, worry and trust, calm and storm. God is my center balance, my refuge and strength, my ever present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) Perhaps this is why this story resonated so strongly with me. Also, because it’s simply an outstanding story.

I love these characters, the charming Texas community setting, the witty dialogue, and the spiritual significance of this story.

I embraced January from the get-go and empathized with how she masked her wounds—familial, romantic, and spiritual. I love her quirky mind and how she learns to live and love rather than only exist. Her first-person point of view is the perfect narrative, giving raw and candid insight into her daily thoughts, actions, and emotions. I enjoyed getting to know Aunt Doreen, Cameron, Dillon, Mr. Kyle, Mrs. Cox, and so many more delightful characters. Grace Community Church has a variety of personalities, each contributing to its charm. I’m invested and want to visit again. (Sequel please, please, please!)

I’m not going to give a synopsis of the story. I simply want to say, this story touched me. It carries an abundance of meaning and truly holds the potential to change your life and your heart.


#2020Favorites
#LoveandaLittleWhiteLie #BethanyHouse #CoverLove
I was blessed to receive a complimentary copy of this book.

I loved the storyline behind this book however I was not a fan of the ending. I absolutely did not see that coming. Nonetheless the book was well written and extremely enjoyable. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

If you're looking for a different kind of love story, Love and a Little White Lie is one worth checking out. In this book, we meet January (Jan). Having had a bad breakup, she is staying on her aunt's property to sort through things and finds a job working at her aunt's church. There's just one problem... she is not a Christian and was raised to believe that having faith was rather foolish. Certainly not your typical lead character in a Christian novel. Still, it added an authenticity to the story that I really enjoyed. It also really had me rooting to see her find a relationship with God.

The romance in this story was a bit different too. I can't say too much without giving it away, but again there was an authenticity to the story that certainly set it apart from others in the genre. I admit I wasn't sure how I felt about it at certain points in the story... but in the end, I really enjoyed how it all came together.

My favorite Bible verse is Esther 4:14: For such a time as this. As I was reading, I could help but think about how fitting it was for this book. Sometimes we find ourselves in a position that doesn't always make a lot of sense to us... but God always has us right where He wants us, and He will use that in often unexpected ways.

Overall, this is a really great read and one that fans of inspirational romance are sure to enjoy! It's definitely one worth checking out!

**I received a complimentary copy from the publisher for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.