Sandy M’s review of The Liar by Nora Roberts
Romantic Suspense published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons 14 Apr 15

Since 1998 when I read my first Nora Roberts book, (Sea Swept in the Chesapeake Bay series), not once has she let me down when it comes to compelling stories and romance that satisfies the reader in me. Over the last few years, her romantic suspense books have been just as compelling, blending mystery and action with love and family. The Liar is no exception and is even more so, because family is a huge part of the life of the heroine when she discovers her entire world is nothing like she thought.

Following the death of her husband in a boating accident, Shelby finds herself at least a million dollars in debt, all from a man whom she apparently never really knew. Time after time, the deeper she digs into his life, the more mysterious he becomes. Deciding to leave everything but a very few items behind, Shelby sells everything, packs up her daughter, and heads home to Rendezvous Ridge in Tennessee, into the arms of her family. Little by little she’s rediscovering herself – her old self before her supposed husband got his hooks into her – and building a life for her and Callie.

Once home, she meets Griffin, a local contractor who now makes the Ridge his home. He’s taken with Shelby from the moment he lays eyes on her, and falls in love with her little girl as well. While Griff would like more with Shelby, she’s a bit gun shy, not only because of her lack of judgement when it comes to men, but she still has a lot of debt to pay off, among other reasons to not start a relationship. Griff’s persistence pays off, but it’s also the little bizarre happenings that begin to plague Shelby that also push her further into his life. It seems her dead husband’s shenanigans have followed her home, and until they get to the bottom of his deception, there’s no peace to be had.

Aside from the romance between Griff and Shelby, it’s her family that help make this story such a terrific, fun read – at least where some fun can be had. They bring out the best in Shelby, assisting her in finding the girl she used to be, one who took no guff from anyone, stood up for herself, and enjoyed life to the fullest – not the woman who let a man walk all over her, no questions asked. I also really like the way Callie takes to Griff and vice versa. Those are charming scenes between man and princess, some of the best in the book. And Griff himself is a perfect hero. I don’t mind that one bit. In fact, I love a perfect hero – that’s part of why I read romance, the fantasy of finding that perfect, larger-than-life man to live and love till the end of your days.

There’s twists and turns throughout the story, and while you may figure out one or two of them, it’s Shelby uncovering her liar of a husband’s life and putting together the puzzle to figure out what he was up to that keeps you turning the pages, and that’s all intertwined with her trying to get her life back on track, with an unexpected romance on the horizon. As usual, I loved every minute of reading this book and can’t wait for Ms. Roberts’ next getaway for me.

Grade: A+

Summary:

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 …

Read an excerpt.