This was my first read of this authors and it was pretty good. I was lucky to be provided an audio copy of this book, but almost wish I had it in physical copy.
The narrator's voice was not my favorite and I felt the change in voice between characters was really confusing? It may have actually been the story though and not the audio, but I felt like there were missing pieces or unbelievable situations that just wouldn't happen in real life which made me struggle with this book a bit.
Overall, well written I felt and enjoyable!

This was my first read by Colleen Coble - Her writing was amazing and I never can figure out who done it. I enjoy her clean writing and the stories are always Christ based. Honestly there is never a dual moment. She is such a joy to read. I have never read her romances but I will one day give it a try. If you are looking a clean and fun read I suggest One Little Lie. Good thing there are two more.

I absolutely devoured this book, and I loved every second of it. The many amazing plot twist, and the many theories you get from reading this, might be right, and might not be right. I had a feeling that I knew what was going on, but also not. Amazing. Just amazing.

This was my first time reading Colleen Coble, and I have to say—I really enjoyed it! The story blended romance, mystery, and suspense beautifully, all while staying rooted in its Christian fiction foundation. I especially appreciated the themes of faith, forgiveness, and trusting God that were naturally woven throughout the plot. The Southern setting added a warm charm to the story, and the characters felt believable and well-developed. The mix of suspense with spiritual depth made it a compelling and meaningful read. I’m happy to say this was a great start to the Pelican Harbor series, and I’m definitely excited to dive into books two and three!If you’re looking for a clean, faith-based mystery with heart, One Little Lie is a great pick.

This is a first of a series and my first book by this author. It's a fairly quick and easy read. It's categorized as romantic suspense, but it was very light on both and heavier on the police procedural. It had a great plotline (cults, family drama and murder) but overall it fell really short. It wasn't quite what I was expecting and I thought it was just okay.

I listened to the audiobook and every voice sounded basically the same. This made it challenging to listen to considering there were a fair amount of characters ranging from young children to older adults, male and female.

A slow read. I listened to this as audio and my mind kept wandering. Maybe it would have been more enjoyable in physical format.

Honestly I went into this blind. I knew this book was a thriller and that was it. What a ride this was!! I was not expecting this to be a Christian thriller because like I said I went into this blind but I really really enjoyed this book. Colleen Coble I will be reading more of your books! Somehow the cult and small town murders just made sense and I need more of it. I love how everything came together at the end in a way I was not expecting at all!

This was not first Colleen Coble book. I enjoyed listening to it. It firmly fits into a clean romance story. . The suspense is good. I figured it out early, but it didn’t decrease my enjoyment of the story. I am intrigued enough to read the second book.

Synopsis:
When Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, her new role is immediately tested. Her father is arrested for theft and linked to a murder, throwing Jane into a whirlwind of betrayal and suspicion. As she works to clear his name, filmmaker Reid Dixon begins documenting her every move, complicating things further—especially when Jane discovers he’s hiding secrets of his own. The past they’ve both tried to bury resurfaces, threatening everything they hold dear.

My Thoughts:
One Little Lie is a gripping and emotionally rich story that explores how even the smallest deception can become a significant obstacle in relationships. Colleen Coble masterfully illustrates the corrosive effects of jealousy and malice, showing how these emotions can distort a person’s character and ultimately lead to their downfall. The story also highlights the destructive consequences of vindictiveness, not just for the target but for the person who harbors it. At the heart of the novel is a powerful message about forgiveness—that it is the only path to true inner healing and peace. I especially appreciated how the author weaves faith and Scripture into the narrative, offering a hopeful reminder of how God can transform pain into growth. I loved this book for its suspenseful plot, its depth of emotion, and the spiritual truths it so beautifully reveals.

Jane Hardy hardly has time to get her feet wet in her new job as interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor as her father has been arrested for theft. What is more is that it seems like he is connected to a recent murder. It doesn't take Jane very long to see that someone is trying to set her father up. While Jane begins her investigation thoughts of her past are never far from her mind. Fifteen years previously she escaped a cult with her father, never seeing her mother again - as well as someone incredibly endearing to her. Could what is happening to Jane's father be connected to their difficult past?

Meanwhile Jane is suddenly being shadowed by Reid Bechtol, a popular journalist who is now focused on covering her career. One thing Jane doesn't like about her new job is the political aspect, and how it makes her have to agree to be followed by Reid. So, while Jane pursues leads to clear her father, Reid begins his questions as he digs into her past.

This is where composing this review could be a bit problematic. There is a connection between Reid and Jane that begins to come to light - something that involves shocking lies and secrets. That is about all I can say about that.

What a thrilling story! I have the second book in this series for review, Two Reasons to Run, and boy am I glad that I headed to my library to get and read this book first, because this book has critical information that is necessary to be able to fully enjoy the series as a whole. The third book in this series, Three Missing Days, is scheduled for release in April 2021.

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Pelican Harbor #1
One Little Lie
Colleen Coble
This is the first book in this series, and I can hardly wait for the next installment.
Pelican Harbor, Alabama is a small, sleepy Jane Hardy is a small woman, some people think she is too small to be the acting sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama. When Jane’s father retired, she was hired as the interim. A short time after she takes over the sheriff's office, her father is arrested, accused of theft and murder. Jane believes he has been set up; she needs to find the proof.
When Jane was growing up, she and her parents were part of a cult. Fifteen years ago, she and her father escaped. Her mother refused to leave. Jane has searched for her mother but has been unable to find her.
Reid Bechtol is a journalist that makes documentaries. He has requested permission to make a documentary on Jane as female sheriff in a small town. Jane has little time or interest in the project. However, the committee that hired her insists she cooperate. Jane and Reid quickly become friends, and she finds herself attracted to him. They join forced her father to prove innocent.
Reid has a past and secrets. Will the secrets destroy the budding relationship?
One Little Lie is well written. I love the characters. Jane and Reid are strong lead characters. I enjoyed their budding relationship now if it can stay strong. We will have to wait for the next book to see if their relationship survives. This book is a police procedural tale with a great K-9 dog.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you Thomas Nelsen and NetGalley for the ARC.

Colleen Coble's One Little Lie (audiobook) plunges listeners into a tense world where a dark past relentlessly pursues a woman seeking her lost mother. Fifteen years ago, Jane escaped a cult with her father, but her mother chose to stay behind. Ever since, Jane has been searching for her, haunted by the fear that someone from that horrifying past might have tracked them down.

Enter Reid Dixon, a renowned documentary filmmaker whose latest project focuses on Jane's career. Though Jane dislikes the spotlight, the committee overseeing her work embraces the publicity. As Reid films, Jane finds herself increasingly relying on his calm presence, especially as they begin to work together to clear her father's name from a new accusation.

However, Reid carries his own secrets from the past, creating a widening gulf between them. This divide becomes almost impossible to cross once her father's "one little lie" finally catches up with him. Coble crafts a compelling narrative of suspense, family secrets, and the arduous search for truth, leaving listeners questioning who can be trusted when the past refuses to stay buried.

This story was hard to follow for me, and hard to put the pieces together. We start out in a cult then fast forward to a father and daughter sheriff. The pieces don't come together until almost the very end of the story. It was hard to believe everything lining up the way it did. The main case for this story felt kinda like an afterthought. I did enjoy the audio for this story the female voice was very nice to listen to and easy to follow.

I liked the story, but it definitely leaves you h hung. This author always does a great job getting the reader into the characters.

It seems like the audiobook only had 67% of the book. Since the book is already published, I was able to get it from my library.

Lots of secrets and lies in this book. It was interesting to be along for the ride.

If you're into romantic suspense with a small-town vibe, One Little Lie by Colleen Coble might be right up your alley. The story kicks off with Jane Hardy stepping into her father's shoes as interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama. Things take a wild turn when her dad gets arrested for theft and murder, and Jane's left trying to clear his name while dealing with a bunch of old secrets resurfacing.

The book's got a lot going on—there's a cult from Jane's past, a documentary filmmaker tagging along, and a murder mystery to solve. It's fast-paced and keeps you guessing, with a mix of drama, suspense, and a bit of romance. The characters are relatable, and the setting adds a nice touch to the story.

Overall, if you're looking for a quick, engaging read with a bit of everything, One Little Lie delivers. It's the first in the Pelican Harbor series, so if you enjoy it, there's more to dive into.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This book is full of twists and turns! Colleen Coble knows how to write a murder mystery with lots of suspense that will keep you intrigued. This is the first in The Pelician Harbor series, which are all about Jane Hardy, so be prepared to read or listen to more. There are no swears or alcohol and level 1 kisses only. Dual POV.

My main problem with this book was that I found the plot implausible. I could not buy into the fact that neither Jane or her father recognized the documentarian. I knew where the story was going from the moment Button had her baby. Sigh. But I kept reading. I felt the novel could have used a better editor to ensure that the characters motivations were realized more realistically.

The narrator was great.

An amazing and gripping story, I was hooked after the first chapter. I will definitely be reading more book by Colleen Coble. I’m now a total fan of and cannot wait to check out her other works. Never a dull moment and couldn’t wait for the next chapter, highly recommend reading “One Little Lie”.

This book was absolutely captivating—I couldn’t put it down and ended up finishing it in a single day! After her father retires, Jane steps into the role of sheriff, just as a string of murders begins to unfold in the town. As she investigates, she's constantly haunted by memories of her past life in a cult, adding a chilling layer to the story. Meanwhile, Reid, a journalist working on a feature about the new sheriff, finds himself and his son growing closer to Jane as they become entangled in the town’s dark mysteries.

The story kicks off this new series with a bang—it's packed with action and moves at a rapid pace. While the romantic tension is present, it takes a back seat in this installment, likely setting the stage for future developments. There's a strong emphasis on establishing characters and building the foundation for upcoming books. The secret referenced in the title was genuinely shocking, and the book ends on a major cliffhanger. I’m eagerly anticipating book two!

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

#OneLittleLie #NetGalley