A Charmed Little Lie
*Post contains affiliated links. Book acquired on Netgalley.com*
I am beyond excited to celebrate the release of Sharla Lovelace's 10th book! Sharla's witty style of writing creates vivid characters that you miss after finishing that last page. A Charmed Little Lie is the first in her new series, Charmed in Texas.
Charmed, Texas, is everything the name implies—quaint, comfortable, and as small-town friendly as they come. And when it comes to romance, there’s no place quite as enchanting . . .
Lanie Barrett didn’t mean to lie. Spinning a story of a joyous marriage to make a dying woman happy is forgivable, isn’t it? Lanie thinks so, especially since her beloved Aunt Ruby would have been heartbroken to know the truth of her niece’s sadly loveless, short-of-sparkling existence. Trouble is, according to the will, Ruby didn’t quite buy Lanie’s tale. And to inherit the only house Lanie ever really considered a home, she’ll have to bring her “husband” back to Charmed for three whole months—or watch Aunt Ruby’s cozy nest go to her weasel cousin, who will sell it to a condo developer.
Nick McKane is out of work, out of luck, and the spitting image of the man Lanie described. He needs money for his daughter’s art school tuition, and Lanie needs a convenient spouse. It’s a match made . . . well, not quite in heaven, but for a temporary arrangement, it couldn’t be better. Except the longer Lanie and Nick spend as husband and wife, the more the connection between them begins to seem real. Maybe this modern fairy tale really could come true . . .
I've always enjoyed the fake relationship trope. I tried it once myself in middle school. One of the boys I knew had bragged to his friend (who went to a different school) about the girl he was dating. Suspicious, his friend wanted proof. And, thanks to the wonders of three-way calling, he got to meet me, George's "girlfriend." I am sad to admit that it wasn't near as entertaining as Lanie and Nick. Mostly because George failed to mention to me that he'd shown this friend a picture of the love of his life, a popular girl from our school).
When his friend asked me what I looked like, I described myself, red hair, green eyes, really thin. Nothing like the dark-haired, brown-eyed, already WAY developed girl from the yearbook photo. After his friend disconnected, probably with a smug smile of confirmation that he knew George could never land a girl like that, George let out an exasperated sigh, "Oh, my God! Do you even know what Ashley looks like?" Sure, I did and I'd been happy to describe her IF someone had told me I was supposed to be ASHLEY! Geez, if you're going to make me lie at least tell me whose identity I'm stealing!
Side note: George was also the first guy I ever actually slapped across the face like an actress in a bad, soap opera. That's a story for another time, but I'm proud to say I left a mark!
Back to A Charmed Little Lie, this book reads like a Hallmark movie in the best possible way. You just want to snuggle on the couch with a blanket on a cold day and escape to Charmed, Texas for a little while.
Lanie is a fast-thinking, quick-witted heroine who could be your best friend and Nick is..well, Nick is hot but he's also kind and sweet without appearing weak or sappy.
I loved the balance portrayal of small time life. It isn't all smiles and apple pies but it isn't all backstabbing and scandals, either. A Charmed Little Lie presents just the right mix of both. Plus, a lovable dog named, Ralph. And, some sexy scenes that would never make into a Hallmark movie but sure heat up the storyline!
I would recommend this light, humorous read for anyone seeking a sweet escape with some laugh out loud moments. I look forward the rest of the series!