AUTHOR: Tammy L. Gray
DATE: 2020
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
STARS: *****
January Sanders grew up believing karma was more reliable than an imaginary higher power, but after suffering her worst heartbreak in 29 years, she's open to just about anything, including taking a temporary position at her aunt's church. Keeping her lack of faith a secret, January is determined to use her photographic memory to help Grace Community's overworked staff, all while scraping herself off rock bottom.
What she doesn't count on is meeting the church's handsome and charming guitarist, who not only is a strong believer, but has also dedicated his life to Christian music. It's a match set for disaster, and yet January has no ability to stay away, even if it means pretending to have faith in a God she doesn't believe in.
Only this time, keeping secrets isn't as easy as she thought it would be. Especially when she's constantly running into her aunt's landscape architect, who seems to know everything about her past and present sins and makes no apologies about pushing her to deal with feelings she'd rather keep buried.
Torn between two worlds incapable of coexisting, can January find the healing that's eluded her or will her resistance to the truth ruin any chance of happiness?
January’s Aunt Doreen offered a haven when the younger woman finds herself near rock-bottom, lost after giving up her job to follow her now-broken heart. Aunt Doreen not only provides living quarters but a job interview. One problem: it’s at a church, and January doesn’t believe in God.
From the opening scene, I had to find out how January manages to hornswoggle the church leaders—who she expects to be haughty and judgmental—into hiring her. With her character arc’s beginning at such a low point, I hoped for some meaningful change.
Love and a Little White Lie did not disappoint. The tone of this story is light as told from January’s point of view, but her skill at diverting was used not only on other characters but the reader. Hints of deep hurt brought sympathy and her unique talent, which she calls a curse, was delightful. She knows her fickle heart cannot be trusted, but old sorrows make her susceptible. And that same heart is compassionate, one of her most attractive traits. I loved the way she reached out to others, making a positive difference just because she could.
I loved the varied characters, the setting and especially the ending. Love and a Little White Lie earns five happy stars. I received a copy of this book from Graf Martin Communications and Baker Publishing Group.