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!

Dive into the gripping world of "One Little Lie," a faith-driven mystery that masterfully weaves together suspenseful twists and intricate family relationships. Readers will be immediately drawn into a narrative where long-buried secrets threaten to unravel the lives of its characters, creating an atmosphere of constant tension and uncertainty. The story delves deep into the complexities of familial bonds, exploring how faith can be both a source of strength and a potential catalyst for conflict when confronted with deeply hidden truths. Prepare to be captivated by a high-stakes plot where every character harbors their own vulnerabilities and the consequences of past actions reverberate through the present. "One Little Lie" is a compelling read for those who appreciate mysteries that not only keep them guessing until the final page but also explore the profound impact of faith and family secrets on the human spirit.

One Little Lie had a lot of moving parts, but unfortunately, none of them really held my attention. The plot felt overly busy—there were multiple threads and twists, but instead of building suspense or intrigue, it all blended together in a way that left me feeling disconnected from the story.

I found it hard to stay engaged. While I can usually appreciate a layered mystery, the pacing and execution here just didn’t pull me in. None of the characters or plotlines felt particularly compelling, and I struggled to invest in the outcome.

It wasn’t a bad book, but it wasn’t memorable either. For me, it lacked that spark or emotional hook that makes a story stick. If you're looking for a gripping mystery, this one might not be the best fit. The audiobook also didn't help much. It just felt a bit flat overall.

Before reading this book I was already a Colleen Coble fan, so I went into this book with some expectations and she lived up to them!

Jane Hardy is the interim sheriff for a small town in Alabama when her father retires. She is thrown into the life of a sheriff and almost immediately she has some crazy cases that hit her desk and one of her detectives believes her father to be at fault and wants to pursue him heavily and she must stay impartial while being a daughter and the sheriff.

I loved Jane Hardy as a character. I could tell that this was the first in the series as this book was setting the ground work with the characters for the following books to come. A lot of the book was character development with the cases taking a back seat to their development. I didn't hate this fact, just felt a little different from the typical mystery thriller books with such a focus on the main characters.

Just to warn anyone before they pick this one up, Colleen Coble is a Christian fiction author and some books there are minimal references to her faith, not so in this one, so if you try to avoid books with religious references, you may need to avoid this one. The plot and everything is so good, so I would still recommend this one, just with the one caveat.