The Liar

by Nora Roberts

[EBookObsessed]

This is not the most unique story ever told. Hollywood has used this type of story plot over and over again. But Nora Roberts’ ability to create a delightful cast of characters and draw you into her world in a little town of Rendezvous Ridge, TN, full of love and family and you’ll want to make an appointment at Vi’s Salon just for the entertainment.

Shelby Anne Pomeroy left her small town of Rendevous Ridge, TN, to tour as lead singer of a band. It was there that she met and was bowled over by the charming Richard Foxworth. After a whirlwind romance and an unexpected pregnancy, they went off to Vegas for a quick wedding. She never knew that five years later she would be sitting in a room going through her dead husband’s papers and realizing she never really knew the man she married. After finding a box with cash, a gun and multiple identifications, Shelby realized he might never have existed at all.

Richard never let Shelby handle any of the finances or be involved in anything but taking care of their daughter Callie. So the fact that their new house is mortgaged to the hilt and currently in foreclosure is news to her. Not only that, but the cars are leased, there was no life insurance policy or college fund for Callie. She even attempts to sell off her jewelry, including her engagement ring, only to find out it is all fake. There is no money, only millions of dollars of debt.

She sells off everything she can, earning enough to purchase a used car, and heads back home to her family in Tennessee. Shelby realizes how much she missed them and how thoroughly Richard cut her off from them. With no money of her own, she couldn’t go visit if he didn’t allow it. She even lost her best friend because Richard wouldn’t let her go when her friend needed her most. Shelby needs to rebuild her relationship with her family and try to mend her broken friendship.

Returning to Tennessee, her daughter now has a chance to grow up in the loving arms of her family, surrounded by the beautiful smoky mountains. She’ll know real family and friends, and not just the cold disregard of her father.

Just when Shelby is rebuilding her life, and even finding a spark of romance, Richard’s past has tracked her down. Richard’s partners want their share of the 30 million in jewelry and stamps that they stole before he died. The items he decided not to share for them when he left them to be picked up by the police. Con artist and liars, they can’t imagine that Shelby might actually be telling the truth that she knew nothing of Richard’s real life and his ‘business.’ They want the jewels or they are going to be coming back for Shelby and her daughter.

THOUGHTS:
This story plot has definitely been used and reused by Hollywood. By the end of Chapter 2, I had a feeling I knew how it was going to end and wasn’t even sure I wanted to trudge through the remaining 450 pages. While the plot wasn’t particularly original, in true Nora Roberts form you are distracted from that point by the very likable characters and the sweet romance which blooms between Shelby and local carpenter Griff, who is as charmed by Shelby’s daughter as he is dazzled by Shelby’s beauty.

Shelby’s grandmother owns the local beauty shop and spa and is a phenomenal businesswoman. The shop and those in it are as intriguing as the rest of the characters in the story. It is like a live-action soap opera and most patrons come in for a haircut, a massage and all the local drama you can handle.

There was one ‘no way, no how’ moment that you really have to work hard to suspend your disbelief and pretend would actually happen or simply ignore and keep reading.

It was surprising that this was so unoriginal for a romantic suspense. After 40 J.D. Robb books you would imagine Nora Roberts could have been less obvious with the foreshadowing. But if you like sweet, hometown girl returning to her roots stories, this will definitely draw you in.

Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.