by Nora Roberts
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
Shelby Foxworth lost her husband. Then she lost her illusions …The man who took her from Tennessee to an exclusive Philadelphia suburb left her in crippling debt. He was an adulterer and a liar, and when Shelby tracks down his safe-deposit box, she finds multiple IDs. The man she loved wasn’t just dead. He never really existed. Shelby takes her three-year-old daughter and heads south to seek comfort in her hometown, where she meets someone new: Griff Lott, a successful contractor. But her husband had secrets she has yet to discover. Even in this small town, surrounded by loved ones, danger is closer than she knows—and threatens Griff, as well. And an attempted murder is only the beginning …
The Liar by Nora Roberts is a standalone romantic suspense with small-town charm. I always enjoy time spent within the pages of a Roberts’ book, and The Liar had all the elements I love delivering a standout read. The Liar left me satisfied but yearning to return to this small Tennessee town for secondary characters stories.
One of the things I adore about Roberts is her ability to weave all the elements I love into a tightly crafted tale. I get to experience a range of emotions from worried, curiosity, laughter and even tears. The Liar is the perfect example of her writing at its finest.
Our story centers on Shelly Foxworth, a young woman who was courted by a charismatic man, married him and gave birth to a beautiful daughter. When her husband died after less than five years of marriage, she begins to realize that EVERYTHING was a lie. She knew nothing about the man she married. Disillusioned and knee-deep in debt, she packs up her daughter and heads home to Tennessee. The tale that unfolds was wrapped in murder, suspense, town antics and a second chance at happiness.
The Liar is just over five hundred pages and delighted me with secondary characters as witnessed Shelby rebuild her life. This aspect felt like a small-town romance, but Roberts weaved in a suspenseful murder mystery. She introduced foul play concerning Shelby’s dead husband and I was completely enthralled. We were given plenty of twists and turns along with sinister characters to notch up the suspense. While I figured out the main plot twist early on, it was fun seeing it all come together in a climatic ending. Roberts delivered an ending that left me deeply satisfied.
Confession, I have sort of this thing for a man who can work with his hands, is good with children, has a devilish smile and facial scruff. Griff Lott was all of those things and I fell hard. The romance had some heat and swoon-worthy moments but was mostly behind closed doors. The man is worthy book boyfriend material.
I loved Shelby’s transformation as she shed the damage inflicted by her husband. The secondary characters, siblings and side threads all enhanced the tale. In fact, it left me wishing this was a series. I would love to get Fosters’ story (Shelby’s single brother) and a few others.
The Liar was a fantastic romantic suspense with small-town charm. If you have not tried Roberts, this would be the perfect place to start. A must for fans of romantic suspense.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Aubrey Wynne
SO I hate to admit it, but I’ve never read one of her romantic suspense novels. But my shelves are filled with her books. This may be a good one to start with!
Lorna
I think I might have to see about getting this on audio. I have 4 credits burning a whole in my pocket! You’ve sold me 🙂
Sharon - Obsession with Books
A lovely review Kimba! I have never read a book by Nora Roberts but I am a big fan of romantic suspense so I might give this a go, it sounds great!
Olivia Roach
Wow, this novel pretty much sounds perfect, and like just the kind of mystery I would want to read. I’ve heard so many great things about Nora Roberts, and I am glad you were able to adore this one so much.
My recent review: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2016/11/a-criminal-magic-book-review-giveaway.html
Dragonfly
I must be the only blogger in the Universe that still hasn’t read Nora Roberts! SHAME ON ME! I was goin to start with The Obsession but maybe I’ll start with this. I also have a thing for handy characters 🙂 Thanks for the review Kim
Tracy Terry
I have to admit that despite the best attempts of Mr T’s grandmother I could never get into this author. Perhaps just a case of finding one of her books that was right for me.
Bookworm
This sounds so god. I used to read alot of Nora Roberts but haven’t in a while. I will keep this one in mind. Thanks for the recommendation!
verushka
Small towns make for the best settings don’t they?
The Bibliophile Babe
I still need to read something by her! Great review!
Stormi Johnson
I like Nora Roberts but I don’t read them as much as I should. This one sounds good.
Lover Of Romance
oh I definitely need to grab this one up. I haven’t read enough of Nora Roberts, but she does such a great job with the small town settings. I do like here, that she implements some suspense into this book here.
Sophia Rose
Oh boy, Starting out with a marriage based on a lie and a guy who isn’t real. Sounds like a great mystery.
Katherine
Yay! So glad you loved this one! I read this after I had come of a spell of being meh about her latest books and I instantly fell into the world of Shelby and the little Tennessee town. Definitely one of my favorites!
Melissa
I really fell for Griff as well:) And I agree…Nora Roberts is a master at combining suspense with small town romance…or maybe I should say she is a master at combining romance with any other genre!
Angela Adams
“Confession, I have sort of this thing for a man who can work with his hands, is good with children, has a devilish smile and facial scruff. ” — He must love dogs, too! Thanks for the post.
Ksenia
Thank goodness, I finally can visit your blog! I enjoy Romantic Suspense, it looks like this book can satisfy my cravings. When it comes to this genre I value romance more that suspense, so I can life with plot twist that can be figured out early in the book. Great review, Kim!
Melissa (Books and Things)
Every time you review one of her books I think about the ones on my shelf yet to be read. I so need to start diving into her books! You make it sound SO good!
Rowena
I need to read more Nora Roberts in the new year. I’ve had my eye on this one but haven’t taken that leap to get it. I’ll change that now since I loved your review!
Cyn
I’m that person who hasn’t read Nora Roberts yet, eep! Definitely need to fix that! Glad this was an awesome read!
Mary Kirkland
It’s been a long time since I’ve read one of her books. Probably because I mostly read PNR now.
Melliane
it sounds good but well her novels are usually great! I need to go back to them!
Kay
This is one of the few Nora Roberts books I haven’t read. I am not sure why… Great review!
Laurel-Rain Snow
I loved this book, and have also enjoyed several other romantic suspense books by NR. Now I bookmark every new book of hers and eagerly await its release.
Thanks for sharing…and for bringing back my memories of the time within these pages.
Debbie Haupt
Oh wow how did I miss this one. Looks like I have some NR catching up to do. Thanks Kim great review!!
kindlemom1
I don’t know why I don’t connect with her mysteries, especially since I love her In Death and PNRs so much, maybe I should give it another try with this one?
Ailyn Koay
knowing Nora, she would probably have another book for her siblings, but it just might not be called a series