Man, I haven't read a romantic suspense in a while and I think I forgot how much I absolutely love them! This was my first Colleen Coble book and her work is totally worth the hype. I loved the setting of this one near Gulf Shores and Colleen did an amazing job with world-building, character development, and making me second guess things along the way. I enjoyed the seamless mentions of God and faith throughout and I can't wait to read more about Jane's journey where that is concerned. I haven't read a series in a while that leaves you on a cliffhanger so I'll definitely be picking up the second book soon!

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 rounded up
🌶️

I enjoyed this book, but I can say that it took a while to get to what the importance would be with the start of the book. And the ending? There are so many questions that I have, even if there are more books to it, I am not a fan of the ending

This book was a suspenseful ride from start to finish, filled with unexpected plot twists—especially between Jane and Reid—that kept me on my toes. While the mystery element was strong and often gripping, I found myself hoping for a little more romance to balance it out.

One challenge I had was keeping track of the characters; there were quite a few, and at times it was difficult to remember who was who. Harry, in particular, stood out—not necessarily for the right reasons. His maturity level didn’t quite match his age, which occasionally pulled me out of the story.

The narration was solid, and the author has a good grasp of tension-building. However, I did find my mind wandering at times. It was hard to keep my attention fully engaged throughout, which may be due to pacing or the complexity of the plot.

Despite the questions I was left with at the end—and there were many—I’m definitely intrigued enough to read the second book in the series. I’m hoping for more answers, a bit more romance, and just as much suspense.

I read this book several years ago. I didn't remember the title of it when I began to read the audiobook, though, and so it was like a new read all over. This plot is a very unique one, and the twists it takes you on will keep you guessing and leave you shocked. Absolutely loved it all over again.

This book is heavy on suspense and very light on romance. The story takes place in a small town where there are too many murders and illegal activities which just didn’t seem believable. The cult background of one of the characters was interesting, but it really wasn’t explored. Overall this title turned into a disappointment for me.. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing me with the audio book to review and share my personal opinions.

⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5 stars)

I was really looking forward to diving into this small-town crime/mystery, and while I’m definitely intrigued by what I’ve experienced so far, I unfortunately wasn’t able to complete the story due to receiving a partial audiobook through NetGalley. That did impact my overall review experience.

That said, the 30 chapters I did get to listen to offered a fast-paced and compelling start. The setup is strong: Jane Hardy, a newly appointed police chief in the quiet town of Pelican Harbor, is thrown into chaos when her father is accused of multiple crimes, and ghosts from their past start creeping in. Fifteen years ago, Jane escaped from a cult with her father, believing her newborn son had died. In the present day, long-buried secrets resurface as she tries to uncover the truth while also being shadowed by Reid, a journalist filming a documentary about her.

The cult backstory adds an eerie, emotional depth to the plot, and the slow-building dynamic between Jane and Reid provides a steady emotional counterweight to the unfolding mystery.

Though I can’t offer a full review just yet, I’m invested enough in the story and characters to continue it elsewhere. I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy clean suspense, family secrets, and strong female leads navigating trauma and trust.

Audiobook provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: One Little Lie by Colleen Coble
Genre: Christian Suspense / Mystery
Rating: ★★★★☆ (3.5 - 4 stars)

I recently picked up One Little Lie by Colleen Coble, and I have to say—it was a ride. This is the first book in her Pelican Harbor series, and it kicks off with a strong sense of mystery, layered characters, and secrets that beg to be unraveled.

The standout for me? Police Chief Jane Hardy. She’s the kind of female lead I love to see in suspense fiction—tough yet emotionally complex, driven by justice but still learning how to navigate personal betrayal and trust. Coble does a great job making Jane feel real, and her past, shaped by a controlling cult, adds a unique and unsettling backdrop that gives the story depth.

The pacing is quick, and the mystery is solid, keeping me turning the pages to see how everything connects. There’s a subtle romance thread with Reid, a journalist who has his own complicated role in Jane’s life, but it doesn’t take over the plot—which I appreciated.

Now for the part that fell a little short for me: the ending. While the buildup was strong, the resolution felt a bit rushed. Certain elements tied up too neatly, and I was left wishing for just a bit more complexity or closure, especially with how personal the case was for Jane.

Still, the book delivers a lot—small-town secrets, a smart female lead, emotional tension, and a clean read with threads of faith woven in. If you’re a fan of Christian suspense or enjoy mysteries that focus more on characters than just crime-solving, this one is worth checking out.

Final Thoughts:
A gripping start to a new series with a memorable main character, though the ending may not hit as hard as the buildup promises. Still, I’m curious enough to continue with the next book and see where Jane’s journey goes.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this story. Unfortunately I found the narrator not enjoyable to listen to. However this is a great story for those who enjoy cozy mysteries. The plot was intriguing but was not able to keep my interest. Overall it was a decent book but I feel that I am not the right reader for this book.

When Jane Hardy is appointed interim sheriff upon her father's retirement, the last thing any of them expect is to have her father arrested on criminal charges thereafter!

The fact that Jane and her father both share a problematic part that includes cult membership, along with the abandonment of her mother who choose to remain with the cult, does not help matters.

Additionally, Jane finds herself under pressure by the local authorities to cooperate with a documentary maker who is interested in her career!

And while she knows that working with Reid may help her to find out who's behind the strange string of events the has led to her father's arrest, Jane must tread carefully since nothing (and no-one) is as it seems...

Entertaining story telling from Colleen Coble, and Jane's family story was a particularly interesting element here. Worth checking out. It gets 3.5 stars.

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