Word Contessa: Post Reading: The Liar

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Liar
Author: Nora Roberts
Published: April 16th 2015 by Piatkus
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When her husband Richard dies in a freak accident, Shelby Pomeroy is devastated. But his death reveals a horrible truth - Richard was a liar and a cheat. Now Shelby is left with the consequences - huge, terrifying debts and mounting proof that her late husband betrayed her in every conceivable way.

Heart-broken but unbowed, Shelby is determined to fix her problems - if only for the sake of her gorgeous little daughter Callie. Returning home to Tennessee and the family she thought she'd lost for ever, she discovers a new sense of strength and freedom. And hope, too, in the handsome form of carpenter Griffin Lott - a straight-dealing man who couldn't lie to her if he tried.

But not everyone is thrilled to see Shelby Pomeroy back in town. And when a shocking act of violence is traced back to Richard's shady business, it becomes clear that she is not safe from him, even in death. With her life in danger, Shelby must face the lies of the past - or lose everything.

THE REVIEW

The Liar follows the story of a pretty and talented lead singer,Shelby Anne Pomeroy in a small town band. When Shelby meets the charming Richard Foxworth, she falls hard and fast in love with him. Smitten Shelby leaves Rendezvous Ridge, TN for Richard and his promises of love.

The novel starts off with Richard's demise and a young widow struggling to stay strong during the ensuing turmoil. Shelby is barely holding up against the weight of debts she didn't even realize existed. I admired Shelby's perseverance as she fought to survive the storm with Callie, her angelic little daughter while navigating the web of lies her husband had spun. With every day that passes after her husband's death she realizes how little she knew about him. Everything she knew about him and her life with him is being proved wrong. She comes to realize that she has been living with a complete stranger. She holds onto the light that is Callie and returns home to Tennessee.

Roberts's writing brings the countryside to life and I fell in love with a town I've never been to. The Pomeroy family and the residents of the Ridge are a force to be reckoned with and every character managed to find a special place in my heart. As it is with small towns, there was enough drama to put the most melodramatic of soap operas to shame. The interactions between Shelby, her family, her friends and a few not-so-friendly-residents of the Ridge were well developed.

Shelby's character would appeal to many readers-Her independence and vulnerability were well portrayed and I couldn't help but root for her throughout the book. It was absolutely heartwarming to see what a wonderful mother Shelby was as she strove to provide the best for Callie at all times. The Liar focuses on the power of family, friends and love and it was delightful to see Shelby recover from Richard's effect on her and become herself again.

There's no doubt that Shelby's narrative voice is the driving force behind this novel but the switches in POVs, especially Griff's was very welcome. Ah, Griff. While romance does not come into the book until much later, Shelby's love interest, Griff had me swooning from the first impression. His love for Shelby is only rivaled by his adoration for Callie and watching them interact was truly a delight. The romance was just the way I liked it, nice and slow. Although there is instant attraction especially, on Griff's part the romance did not feel rushed.

The pacing of the book is similar to the romance. For most of the story, the pace is languid in a really good way but the ending was both intense and fast-paced. Roberts sure knows how to build up suspense but I must say that the big reveals were predictable and somewhat disappointing. However, the predictability thankfully does not steal the joy that comes with watching the events unfold on the pages.

I can safely that I can always expect a solid read from Nora Roberts. The Liar is best read with a cup of hot chocolate and a cozy armchair on a cold night.

THE RATING

4 Stars

QUOTE-WORTHY

She’d thought it the happiest day of her life, but it hadn’t been her life
at all. Just an illusion, and worse, just a lie.

FINAL VERDICT:

If you love a solid contemporary novel with a generous helping of swoon-worthy romance and a side dish of intrigue, go get yourself a copy of The Liar.