Ashley B

The best thing about this book is that it provides several recommendations based on various moods or themes, such as Books to Read When You Don't Feel Like Reading and Books for When Life Feels Like a Mess. I added several of the recommendations to my TBR list.

The main characters are Tilly (Matilda Nightingale) and Alfie Lane. Tilly is well-developed as a character and her name suits her. She's a quirky bookworm grieving for her late husband. Alfie, the bookshop owner, was believable at first—disheveled hair and oversized sweaters. But later, it turns out that underneath his oversized clothing, which endearingly belong to his late father, he is really buff. This description seemed out of character to me, although he does ride his bike to work every day and lifts heavy boxes of books at the store. I can see how he would be toned, and tall and lanky are believable, but the big muscles threw me.

I struggled to get into the book because at the beginning (and in places throughout) the language is clunky with simile after simile and seems contrived or "trying too hard" to sound literary. But there were several chapters where the story captivated my attention and the language was less distracting. If I could cut and paste various parts of the book, I would recommend it. But, it needs another strong round of edits.

This is a mostly well-written mostly captivating read for lovers (like myself) of a good, in-depth family saga. Everyone in the Tabor family has secrets, some more shallow (Phoebe) and some more damaging (Harry). Camille was my favorite character and was the best developed of the adult Tabor children. Simon's story is also interesting, but Phoebe's story and character fell flat for me. I didn't like or care about Phoebe at all. Lastly, I'll just say that I don't know how they drank that many Arnold Palmers and didn't drown in the pool. I assume from the context that they were the alcoholic version, although I looked them up and the version of iced tea and lemonade made with vodka is called a John Daly. Maybe a question for Ms. Wolas?

Thank you to BookBrowse and the publisher for the ARC of Lola. Not knowing anything at all about LA street gangs, I have no idea if this story rings true at all, but I did appreciate Lola and the other strong female characters in Love's book, especially Lucy and Lorraine.

Also, having been very close to an addict in my family, I found Love's portrayal of her mother Maria to hold true, especially in the description: "They're addicts are just at the top or bottom of their respective lifelong roller-coaster ride, waiting to drop, or waiting to climb up from rock bottom."

I would read this book just for the chapter about the whales. Beautiful, disturbing, heartbreaking. The same can be said for the story, which is highly readable and engaging.

My only complaints involve the character development, which for Rachel especially, was a bit lacking. Callum was a bit too simpering. Catrin was a bit too tough.

This is the fifth Sharon Bolton novel I have read, and I am a fan. I especially enjoyed Dead Scared (Lacey Flint #2).

With Little Black Lies, Ms Bolton has again achieved an original, smart novel that is well beyond a mere formulaic mystery.