Review: Love and A Little White Lie by Tammy L. Gray

Series: State of Grace #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance 
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: Aug. 4, 2020
352 pages

About the Book:

January Sanders grew up believing karma was more reliable than an imaginary higher power, but after suffering her worst heartbreak in 29 years, she's open to just about anything, including taking a temporary position at her aunt's church. Keeping her lack of faith a secret, January is determined to use her photographic memory to help Grace Community's overworked staff, all while scraping herself off rock bottom.

What she doesn't count on is meeting the church's handsome and charming guitarist, who not only is a strong believer, but has also dedicated his life to Christian music. It's a match set for disaster, and yet January has no ability to stay away, even if it means pretending to have faith in a God she doesn't believe in.

Only this time, keeping secrets isn't as easy as she thought it would be. Especially when she's constantly running into her aunt's landscape architect, who seems to know everything about her past and present sins and makes no apologies about pushing her to deal with feelings she'd rather keep buried.

Torn between two worlds incapable of coexisting, can January find the healing that's eluded her or will her resistance to the truth ruin any chance of happiness?

  

My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐

I have such mixed thoughts about this book, I have heard such high praise of this story that I expected to really enjoy the story. But I struggled with the characters in particular one of the relationships.  I did read this when I was sick and have wondered if that affected my enjoyment of the book or not, if I hadn’t been sick would I have enjoyed the story more? Do I need to re-read this at some point?

January is a non-Christian who gets a job at a mega church as an assistant. I liked January’s heart for others and her willingness to take on tasks outside of her comfort zone to cover for her boss, Ralph, so that he could take some time to work on a personal matter. I enjoyed seeing her learn about Christ and form of relationship with God. I also liked the character of Dillon, even though he has been hurt by recent tragedies, he has not turned his back on God. January’s aunt and mom have a strained relationship, but this doesn’t stop her aunt from offering shelter to January when she needs an escape. Aunt Doreen accepted January as she was and just loved her. There was a plot twist I didn’t see coming but was pleased when it happened because I wasn’t a fan of where the story seemed to be heading prior to this. I loved the ending and January definitely grew over the course of the story. I did really enjoy the strong faith message of the story. 

Favourite Quote: 

“Faith requires trust even when we don't always understand His purpose.”

(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 

in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   

My Hope Next Door - The Fairfield #1

My Unexpected Hope - The Fairfield #2
The Truth Between Us - Brentwood #2