Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The events in this mystery are so twisted and very sad. I enjoyed the time period that this novel took place in. I also loved Vera being a rare female pilot, she was wonderful. I was so engrossed in the World War II aspects of this book and wanted Vera to be able to be part of the war effort. The members of the Ellis family were all horrid people and I was not surprised to find out how they were involved in Max’s kidnapping.

"Only One Lie" by Audrey Cole was a rollercoaster of emotions for me. Initially, I struggled to connect with the story, almost giving up around the 20% mark. However, just when I was ready to set it aside, the narrative took an intriguing turn that kept me engaged.

One thing that set this wartime novel apart was its unique approach, delving into uncharted territory. Yet, the writing style left me somewhat perplexed, occasionally diverting into unexpected tangents, like the excessive focus on tomatoes, which had me convinced they'd play a pivotal role in the plot.

The narration at first bothered me. I felt it was a bit “shrill” but after listening for longer I got used to it.

All in all it was a very decent read. Stick through the beginning and it will give you a very good entertaining story that you won’t be able to guess.

Thank you Net Galley for providing this book and allowing me to read it in advance. I was unable to personally get into this book but that is the power of reading. There’s books for everyone. I know someone else will adore it!

Only One Lie was another great read by Audrey J. Cole. This book is a suspense mystery set in World War II-era Seattle. Young Max Ellis is an heir to the wealthiest banking family on the west coast and is kidnapped. The parents comply with the ransom demands and the kidnapper is found dead, while their son remains missing. Vera Chandler's husband is six months into his job as the Ellis's private pilot. He is deployed to the Pacific as a navy pilot. Vera's flying instructor and best friend joins the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. Vera is pulled into the Ellis family affairs by the boys desperate mother. She learns that the family is dangerous and finds herself in a race to save the child's life. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.

The suspense and mystery combined with the backdrop of historical fiction made Audrey Cole’s story memorable.

The historical setting as the backdrop drew me in, as did well thought out characters and a twisty plot.

I’d recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 Stars

Vera Chandler is a newly minted pilot in Seattle in 1942, but her excitement quickly fades as her pilot husband, Hugh, has been deployed to the Pacific. His departure has left an opening for a private pilot with the extremely wealthy Ellis family. He has recommended Vera for the position but she has no idea what she has just walked into. The Ellis family is dealing with the tragic kidnapping of their young son. With no leads and a short staffed police force the family is on their own to solve the case but strained relationships are making this an even bigger nightmare. The boy's mother, Pricilla, recruits Vera to help her find her son.

I was really excited about the idea of this book being about women pilots during WWII but sadly that is not what this book is about. It focuses on finding the kidnapped son of the Ellis family but their family drama is very cliché and the overall plot is farfetched. I had so many issues with the reality of the storyline that I just could not get into it. Things like how on earth does a new pilot get a job as a private pilot when the chapter before she failed her license landing? Why would Vera buddy up with the ostracized wife that she doesn't know against her new employer, on day one? Why does she put herself in these outlandish scenarios? Pilot turned private eye... not so much. I liked Cole's writing style and pace but the storyline was what I could not get past. I finished it out of obligation not enjoyment... pass.

I had the audio version read by Kimberly Austin and Krys Janae. They both did a good job but they sounded so similar it took me a while to realize there were two.

I didn't care too much for the characters. Read through 30% before realizing I had no idea what was happening because it was so easy to zone out. Nothing ever really grasped me to keep my attention.
Could imagine if your BIG THING is historical fiction, this might be good. But as someone who enjoys the genre casually, it was just... boring. Nothing new, nothing exciting. even with a missing baby.

I love the cover! This is a captivating historical mystery thriller. I liked the characters, the intrigue, and the suspense. Good narration from Krys Janae and Kimberly Austin. I enjoyed it. I received a copy of this book through NetGalley, an OrangeSky Audio Production, for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and OrangeSky Audio for accepting my request to read and review Only One Lie.

Published: 12/22/27

For reasons that I cannot explain nor do I understand, this was a miss for me. It took over a week to finish, and there were times I just didn't want to pick it up. I found it to be tiring. Boy, when I saw the end coming, I had a sudden burst of energy only to be deflated. The ending went on and on.

It doesn't help that I didn't like any of the characters. Nothing about the story was realistic. It seemed to far-fetched. And, this did have one of my least favorite type of character -- the whiner. The one who knows they are in a dangerous situation, has to be told shh, hush, be quiet and they don't.

I had the audiobook, and did like the narrator. Unfortunately her performance couldn't save me. 2.5 stars, I'm uncomfortable rounding up. Please don't let my review hold you back, if the things I mentioned don't bother you. The cover and title were enough for me to read.

This book held my interest but also had a lot of “wtf” moments. There were so many times I couldn’t figure out why in the world Vera would take the actions she was taking. She put herself in such risk it seemed crazy. Was happy with the outcome though.

🌀Synopsis
Vera is a female pilot in a time when females aren’t as respected as men. When her husband is called to serve in the military, she takes over as pilot for the prestigious Ellis family. This is, of course, also right after their son was kidnapped so the family is in turmoil.
Vera gets very close to Mrs. Ellis and decides she needs to help look into the kidnapping. There are many times she puts her career and life at risk. It becomes clear the Ellis family has some deep dark secrets and they do not like Mrs.Ellis.
As they uncover the secrets, they get closer to finding her son. Eventually, they do find him and also expose some other Ellis crimes as well.

I’m not one to take a liking to history I know that sounds bad but it’s a hard most of the time sad topics. I love this author tho so I gave it a chance and I won’t lie I don’t regret it. I really enjoyed this narrator too. I enjoyed this mystery/suspense story and I loved how it all unraveled in the end. It had nice heart warming parts that just fit so nicely.

I want to say that I got this book from netgalley but my review is my on personal opinion.
I thought this book started off a little slow and I honestly couldn’t get into it so I put it away. I came back again because I’m the type of person to always finish a book. Once I got past the first chapter I started getting into it a little more. I ended up enjoying this book and to be honest I look forward to reading more of this author works. It was a little over the place but still once the author found their flow iit ended up being a good book.

Seattle, the midst of WWII. After her husband's deployment, Vera manages to replace him as a private pilot with the wealthiest family on the coast. But the major tragedy strikes her new employer, and Vera is asked to help in resolving the mystery.

I had no clue what I was getting myself into with this novel. The book is filled with shocking twists in every single chapter. And the pace of the novel is so fast, I was burning thru its pages. The novel shares many similar details with the Lindbergh kidnapping, although it takes a very different direction. I do not want to reveal any spoilers, but this is one of the best historical detective novels that I've enjoyed in a while.

Really enjoyed this historical mystery thriller! Loved the research the author put into this story. It’s evident she was very passionate about writing it.

The main character isn’t your typical housewife in the 40s. Rather, she dreamt of becoming a pilot, which was typically a male’s job. I thought that element of the story was awesome to showcase.

I enjoyed the mystery and suspense of the book and how it all unraveled in the end. Even the heart-warming parts of the story fit in nicely.

Highly recommend this if you’re into historical mystery novels!

I thought this book started a little slow and was thinking to myself, what is going on with this book? And then it got really good and I enjoyed it a lot! I will definitely be looking for more books by this author. I loved the happy ending and the bad people got what was coming to them all because Vera would not sit down and "behave"! I do love me a good kick-ass heroine!

#OnlyOneLie
#NetGalley

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced audio book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

1942 Seattle and Max Ellis, the son of a wealthy family is kidnapped. Vera Chandler is the wife of the Ellis' pilot and recently received her pilot license. When Vera's husband gets deployed, she becomes the pilot for the family. Vera gets involved in solving the kidnapping.

I enjoyed listening to the narrators.

*Audio book review

Opinion: My initial interest in the book was due to the historical fiction. I am a big fan of historical fiction particularly anything WWII. Add the words mystery and thrilled to it, and you've got me hooked! However, I was not all that impressed with the book. I felt that the action was slow. I felt like it took a lot of background to really build up the story. Overall, it was not the page turner I was hoping for. Some parts seemed over the top and unrealistic. I did find the ending enjoyable and felt that the book came to a great close.

Summary: Vera is the wife of a military pilot, who also is a pilot. When her husband is called back into action, she takes over his job of being a private pilot for a wealthy family. The Ellis family has many secrets than Vera will soon begin to uncover, but the biggest mystery is that their son has been kidnapped. Grief stricken Priscilla Ellis begs Vera to help her find her son.

I listened to Only One Lie, by author Audrey Cole, by audio, the narration by Kimberly Austin and Krys Janae was done very well. You could tell what was happening and who was speaking or thinking. I’m glad I gave this new to me author a try, the story was interesting and fast-paced. It kept my interest because there was always something happening and in telling the story the increased action was reflected by the narrators. The story is about a little boy's kidnapping, the parent's toxic and abusive relationship, and the pilot who is helping them find their son amid lies and attempts to stop her - permanently.
I recommend this book it has lots of twists and a very likable heroine, Vera Chandler. Her whole life she wanted to be a pilot and investigator this could be her chance but at what cost?
Thank you NetGalley and publisher OrangeSky Audio for this Audio ARC this is my personal opinion.

Set in Seattle 1942, while the war in Europe is raging and people everywhere are living in fear a beloved little boy is kidnapped. He is the son of the a wealthy influential banking family in Seattle. These are not nice people and will do anything to get what they want. Nothing is off the table to get what they want. NOTHING. When the ransom demands are met, kidnapper is found dead and Max is still missing there are so many questions left unanswered. Vera Chandler is a newlywed, who is currently the private pilot for the Ellis family while her beloved husband is currently flying for the military and the only person that Max’s mom feels she can trust. They work on unraveling a twisted dark tale to find Max and punish all involved who took him. I think this would be a great series with Vera being the lead, but thats just me. I enjoyed the listen and learning more about the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. Good narration added to the experience.

**please note due to low rating I will not be leaving a public review for this book as I have not paid for it.**

I'm a big fan of Audrey J. Cole but with this book I really couldn't stay focused or interested in it
Sorry.