An okay book. Didn’t really jump to me. I won’t be reading more by this author. Or recommending to friends and family it was quite boring tbh. Nothing too mysterious for my liking.

I had this as a free listen from NetGalley. The story was ok, although predictable and signposted, no real twists that surprised me. It falls in the Christian genre and this element is a bit clunky at times. It fills shoe horned in and not especially necessary for the story and characters.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7552512959

Enjoyed the book and the story although in this situation the ending was not presented there must be something wrong with the audio upload for this reason it received a 3.5 stars rounded up.. Jane Hardy fled a cult 15 years ago with her father. Currently, iving in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, her father has retired as police chief and she has been appointed as his replacement when she is called on to solve a series of vicious murders, more is going on than these murders. Reid Dixon films documentaries and is good at what he does. He has come to Pelican Harbor to film the chief of police for a few weeks as she does her job. Jane does not want him to do so, but the mayor does. Reid, however, has some secrets of his own from his past. It all started with one little lie, which has the potential to wreak havoc in Jane's life. After her father is arrested for theft, Jane is on a mission to prove his innocence while dealing with her own issues. I actually like the change of pace with the small references to scriptures and "religious" undertones it is not something that is thrown in your face but rather references. Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley.

Colleen Coble's One Little Lie delivers a suspenseful story, though the audiobook experience has some minor drawbacks. The narrative follows Jane Hardy, a former forensic dentist turned small-town police chief, as she investigates a murder with ties to her past.

Coble is known for her ability to craft intricate plots, and One Little Lie is no exception. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, keeping the listener engaged, and the characters are generally well-developed. The small-town setting adds to the suspense, creating an atmosphere of unease and suspicion. The inclusion of Jane's personal history adds depth to the story, making her a sympathetic and relatable protagonist.

However, the audiobook format presents some challenges. While the narrator delivers a competent performance, the pacing sometimes feels slightly off, and it can be challenging to keep track of the various characters and their connections in an audio-only format. Additionally, some of the nuances of Coble's writing may be lost in the translation to audio.

Overall, One Little Lie is an entertaining suspense novel, particularly for fans of the genre. However, the audiobook version has some limitations that may detract from the overall experience.

Thank you to NetGalley, Colleen Coble, and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the audiobook copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve enjoyed every Coble novel I’ve read so far, and this one was no exception. Like her other books, it’s fast-paced and engaging, making it perfect for a quick read. However, I did find myself wanting more background on Jane and her father. After their departure from the cult, how did they transition into law enforcement? What happened in the years between their past and present lives? These gaps felt like missed opportunities for deeper character development.

Additionally, while I understand not wanting to write children as overly babyish, I found Harry’s character a bit too mature for a typical four-year-old. His dialogue and behavior isnt realistic, and it pulled me out of the story at times.

This book was okay. I feel like it wasn't very fast paced and got a little boring at times. The narration was good. The storyline was interesting too but I think the summary was more interesting than the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The characters were engaging, and the premise hooked me from the start. The romance and mystery elements were skillfully woven together, keeping me invested throughout, and the plot twist was a delightful surprise that elevated the story.

My only critique is that the transitions between chapters and different points of view felt jarring at times, especially early on. Clearer shifts would have helped maintain the flow. That aside, this was a compelling read, and I grew deeply attached to the characters and their journey. I’m eagerly looking forward to continuing the series!

I always enjoy books by this author. This one did not disappoint in any way. Suspense and romance. Read well and enjoyable to listen to. Yet another good one.

I enjoyed this audiobook a lot. For some reason, it stopped at chapter 30, so I had to go listen to it on a different app. I have never read this author before, and I would definitely read her stuff again!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, One Little Lie didn’t land for me. I went in expecting a romantic suspense packed with intensity and mystery, especially given all the glowing four-star reviews. But for me, the suspense never fully delivered. I kept waiting for a major twist or something truly diabolical to unravel—but it just never happened. Instead, I felt strung along by a plot that dragged in parts, and I actually nodded off a few times while listening (which never happens to me, especially with thrillers).

The premise had so much potential: small-town secrets, cult history, a murder mystery, and a woman trying to clear her father’s name. But the execution fell flat. The story was heavy on setup and light on payoff. While others found it gripping, I personally found it underwhelming and too drawn out for the stakes it promised.

I really wanted to love this one, but it just didn’t work for me.

i tired so hard to listen to this but just couldn't push myself to suffer through this.

thankful i got the audio arc

This book had so much potential The mystery and twists were perfectly placed and had me reading this quickly. A very easy read and I loved the setting, Alabama. For some reason I love books based in the south, just something about the people, the atmosphere, the accents, just the whole thing. Until I got to the end…the ending was terrible, too many questions. Unless there is going to be a sequel, this was pretty bad.

One Little Lie was such a suspenseful, emotional adventure of a story. There were some huge secrets that were revealed and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series so I can see how everyone deals with the fallout from these revelations. Colleen Coble always has a talent in writing amazingly dynamic characters and the residents of Pelican Harbor are certainly no exception. Jane had had so much heartache in her past and the flashbacks that told her backstory truly hurt my heart for her. I can’t imagine having to deal with everything to blow up in the present day like they did. But, Jane still kept her loyalties to her town, her job, and her family, while trying to do what’s best for all involved. Reid and his son were interesting and, while I can understand the decisions he made when he first arrived in town, I am looking forward to seeing how he makes up for his lies of omission. Jane’s father truly has the most to explain and I hope he is willing to put forth the effort to heal the hurts he has caused.

Colleen Coble is one of my favorite cozy mystery writers. Jane and Reid's story is original and full of twists and turns you will never see coming. The narrator made the story come to life and I hope they make the entire series audio!

The writer does a wonderful job with this book 1st of all. I really enjoyed the writing style since it was extremely approachable, but it was also still deep at the same time.
M the unfortunate truth is though that I did not see before I requested this title that it was marked as Christian. I myself am not at all religious, so I really couldn't identify with the story as much as other people could. This is also the reason why I will not be posting a review of this book on my socials because I would be doing it a disc service. However, I will recommend this book to my Christian friend because the author does a brilliant job and I am sure she will get so much more out of this story. If you are Christian, this is definitely a great story.

2.5⭐️ rounded up

I was looking forward to this as have read a couple of book descriptions from this author which have caught my attention although this was my first experience of her work. Sadly this one in particular just didn’t quite work for me.

I can’t exactly say why or what it just all felt a little disjointed somewhat, the synopsis explains how Jane escapes from a cult and then goes back to her home town and gives the impression this may be part of the plot but in reality it’s really just a little bit of the beginning not intertwined per say. Albeit she is a detective as stated and she does return to conduct an investigation.

The main story seems to revolve around family dynamics more than anything also the romance well wasn’t really there either it was all very surface level. I just found it difficult to keep myself particularly interested in this which was a little disappointing. It has to be noted at this point I didn’t particularly gel with the narration on this occasion which may have made a difference as sometimes it can be the reason we find difficulty in fully immersing in an audiobook.

So with that being said it hasn’t put me off listening to the other audiobook I seen from this author which caught my eye. I’d definitely try more from her in the future.

I appreciate the chance to listen to this ARC from NetGalley & Thomas Nelson Zondervan Fiction Audio in return for this honest review.

This book was so intriguing! I couldn’t put it down and read it in a day! Jane becomes sheriff when her father retires from the position. A stream of murders are happening that she needs to solve. But memories of her life before in a cult are always there to traumatize her. Reid is working on a story about the new sheriff. He and his son get close to her while they work on the mysteries plaguing their town. This start to a series was really action packed and fast paced! The romance that will most likely develop in future books was limited in this book. A lot of building up plot for the next book/s and establishing relationships. The ‘lie’ mentioned in the title was pretty shocking! This book ends on a complete cliffhanger! I can’t wait to read book 2!
I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in trade for my honest opinion. My thoughts are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 Stars (Excellent)
Setting: Pelican Harbor, Alabama
Genre: Mystery

One Little Lie by Colleen Coble is a fast-paced, atmospheric mystery that pulls you in from the very first chapter and keeps you guessing until the end. Set in the charming but shadowy town of Pelican Harbor, Alabama, the novel blends small-town drama, family secrets, and slow-burn romance into a satisfying suspense story.

Jane Hardy is a compelling protagonist—tough, determined, and deeply human. As the newly appointed interim sheriff, Jane barely has time to settle into her role before her world begins to unravel. Her father is arrested, a murder rocks the town, and Jane is forced to confront the dark past she tried to leave behind. The tension is heightened by the arrival of Reid Dixon, a documentary filmmaker whose quiet strength and hidden vulnerabilities make him the perfect counterbalance to Jane’s guarded nature.

Coble does an excellent job of weaving together multiple threads: the mystery of Jane’s past in a cult, the current murder investigation, and the delicate trust growing between Jane and Reid. The pacing is brisk, the twists are well-placed, and the setting adds a vivid layer of moodiness and charm.

If there’s a minor flaw, it’s that some of the character motivations—particularly from the side characters—felt underdeveloped at times, and the resolution, while satisfying, came together a little too smoothly. Still, the emotional depth of Jane’s journey and the themes of forgiveness, truth, and redemption give the story a meaningful heart beyond the thrills.

Overall, One Little Lie is a gripping and thoughtful read that will satisfy fans of romantic suspense, small-town mysteries, and character-driven thrillers. I’m already looking forward to following Jane’s next chapter. #netgalley #onelittlelie #booked_this_weekend

The recording was not complete so I can not give a final review but the 6 hours i listened i greatly enjoyed this novel. Coble did a good job of laying little groundworks for the depth of the storyline. Can't wait to find out what happens at the end.

When Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff in Pelican Harbor, Alabama, after her father retires, there's no time for an adjustment period. He is arrested for theft and then implicated in a recent murder, and Jane quickly realizes she's facing someone out to destroy her father.

They escaped from a cult fifteen years ago, and Jane has searched relentlessly for her mother—who refused to leave—ever since. Could someone from that horrible past have found them?

Reid Bechtol is a well-known journalist who makes documentaries, and his sights are currently set on covering Jane's career. Jane has little interest in the attention, but the committee who appointed her loves the idea of the publicity.

Jane finds herself depending on Reid's calm manner as he follows her around taping his documentary, and they begin working together to clear her father. But Reid has his own secrets from the past, and the gulf between them may be impossible to cross.

It started with one little lie. But Jane Hardy will do everything in her power to uncover the truth.

I only recently discovered audio books, so its still new to me, but I am starting to love it! And this was a nice read to broaden my reading (or listening) with. Recommended!