Imperfect Truth

by C.A. Popovich

Debra Johnson learned a valuable lesson when her pregnant lover left her for a Protect yourself at all costs. She made a list of requirements in a lover and uses it as a shield to protect her heart. At the top of her list is openness and honesty.

Alex Reed has to keep the secret of her federal witness protection program or risk her and her sister’s lives. She longs for a meaningful loving relationship but fears exposing a lover to danger.

Alex and Debra meet at a lesbian meet up group with intentions of only finding an event companion. Their undeniable attraction keeps getting in the way of that intention as Debra struggles to protect her heart and Alex her life.

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, Crime, LGBT

240 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2016

About the author

C.A. Popovich, a Michigan native, has worked in the automotive industry for most of her life. During the many layoffs in the unpredictable field, she earned a certificate in dog grooming, an associate’s degree in veterinary technology, and worked in maintenance at a condominium complex. She’s been working as an AutoCAD operator since 2009 and looks forward to retiring to be able to write full-time. She believes her passion for writing began at birth and has maintained a journal since high school.
Since discovering Bold Strokes Books, and her love of lesbian romance, she’s written numerous short stories with happily-ever-after endings. In 2012, she had an article titled “The Choice” published in Sinister Wisdom. It describes her experience on a flight aboard the tiny plane into Provincetown, MA.
She hates spiders, loves to read, write, spend time with her family, and travel to as many BSB events as finances allow.

Reviews

[Diane (IF U'RE PRIVATE, PLEASE SKIP ME!!!) Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Netgalley ARC provided by The Publisher in exchange for an unbiased review'

An ok read!
If one do not do their research on what WITSEC is really about then this is where the storyline had many problems and issues -- from the writing to whether each characters were really connecting or had any chemistry in addition there was no plotline and way too many ridiculous unwanted scenarios going on in this book that was a bit of an overkill and way too much for me only some good pacing and editing left to speak of. Romance none and the forced sex scenes were sure not gonna helped because there really was no chemistry between the leads..

[Pin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imperfect Truth is the third novel by C.A. Popovich. All her novels are standalones, but with somewhat intertwined characters and some shared activities (e.g. barrel horse racing). The main character here, Debra Johnson aka Debby, was a secondary character in the author's second novel The Courage to Try, and the main characters from both previous novels appear in this one as secondary characters.

Pros:
- an interesting premise that revolves around people in the Witness Security Program -- WITSEC (without getting into the authenticity of the presentation of that premise)
- likable main characters and characters of the friends from previous novels, and some nicely done animal characters (animal characters are the author's forte)

Cons:
- the plot is stretched out in the middle of the story, it moves forward too slowly
- the writing is choppy at times, does not flow well
- the main characters speaking to themselves a lot is kind of annoying
- the author overused the "we can be just friends" trope (I noticed that in all three of her books)

Conclusion: An enjoyable romance to a certain extent, but quite forgettable, and definitely not re-reading material. The author has similar problems in all three of her books, so I think that firmer editing could help a lot, or if the editor did the best she could, I hope the author will try to improve her writing skills.
2.5 stars

*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*

[Lex Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by Popovich. I did like it a little better than The Courage to Try, but it was still just in the okay range for me. The main characters from Courage are in this book and make a few appearances. And while I have not read Edge of Awareness, I believe the two mains from that book also have a small roll in this one.
What I did find interesting about this book, was the WITSEC program. I can not even begin to imagine how hard it would be to give up your life and start over. I think Popovich, did a good job describing how that would be.
I liked both main characters, thought I felt like I stayed on the surface with them. I didn't really get to know them down deep as characters. I did feel there was an attraction and some chemistry, between the two. My problem was the romance kept stalling a bit. There was too much "we just have to be friends". "Really just friends, no dating." Then all of a sudden two dates and they are in love.
I can't really recommend this, but I wouldn't say, stay away either. I'm too much in the middle. I will say if you are a fan of Popovich's other two books, you might enjoying getting to see those characters again.

An ARC was given to me from Bold Strokes Books, for a honest review.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

As mentioned in other reviews, the real problem for me was the utter lack of chemistry between the two main charcters. The premise was interesting, but things really went slowly.
In the end, it was just OK.

Arc from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Samantha Luce · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4. (Really wish we could rate with half stars). This was a pretty quick read. Woman gets cheated on and is very standoffish and not ready to trust again. Other woman is hiding out in the Witness Protection Program. Both are gun-shy, antsy, and feeling a little lonely. They go back and forth with the whole, "let's just be friends" thing for a while and then, skyrockets in flight. Yay! I liked that these characters were women over the age of thirty. Sometimes that's hard to come by. Dragged a wee bit in the middle, but happy to say the ending made up for it.

NetGalley ARC received for an unbiased review.

[Jade · Rating 2 out of 5]

(ARC provided by Netgally and the Publisher for an honest review.)

I thought this premise was really interesting which is why I requested to review this book but after reading it I think that more could have been done with the story. The characters started off well even if I couldn't get on board with the whole we are just friends thing and I didn't see any chemistry. I hate to give such a bad review but I can't give this book anything more than 2.5 stars because it did nothing for me, it was not a memorable experience and I probably wouldn't read it again. The author needs to work on her content and making it more engaging because this could have really been so much better than it was.

[Danni Mladenovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

*The copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Hmmm, I'm not sure what to think of this book... I am very ambivalent about it - I both liked it and didn't... The whole plot seemed like a great idea, but ended up being kind of pale; it just didn't deliver. Also, I had a problem remembering these two are in their forties, I don't actually know why. And - in my opinion, Alex and Debra's chemistry could've been described better - on moments, I felt nothing reading about them, and I love having physical/emotional reactions on characters from les-fic.
I will not analyze WITSEC moments in the book because personally I know nothing about it,but I can only say that it wasn't informative enough.

[Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author. Witness protection was an interesting storyline that caught my attention. I enjoyed the personalities of the main characters. Debra Johnson was likable and you cheered for her to find love. Alex Reed was likable and you understood her hesitation about getting involved with Debra. But the heart wants what the heart wants. I really wanted to like this read but the dynamics among the characters (Debra and her friends) was stiff and it felt like they were acquaintances and not good friends. The writing was rigid and did not flow very well. To some extent enjoyable but did not really captivate this reader.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley

[Cab · Rating 1 out of 5]

Slow Slow Slow... stab myself in the eye with a sharp stick slow.

For a full detailed review check out:
http://reviews.c-spot.net/archives/5733

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I'm not quite sure what went wrong for me in this book. I liked the premise. I can only imagine the stress of starting a new life and not being able to mention anything about your life before the new identity you're provided came into existence. Add to that, the total paranoia of imagining every person you meet could be the one who kills you and your family and you have a recipe for the sort of life that Alex is trying to live. But no one is happy alone, so she has to meet new people. Enter Debra. Debra has some issues from her last relationship that appear front and center when she meets Alex and her strange reluctance to tell her anything about herself.
I would say that I had two main problems with the story. First, I had some time issues. I found it very difficult to keep up with the passage of time, and over what length of time the relationship developed. The second problem was the idea that Alex was so willing to break the rules, knowing that someone was after them, in order to meet with Debra. It seemed inordinately risky and out of character.
Despite these problems, I enjoyed the book. It seemed fast-paced, especially near the end, and kept me turning pages.
I obtained a copy of this book through Netgalley in order to review it.

[Alealea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet.

I liked the way the writer 1) takes her time 2) shows how awful living a lie can be.

[A.W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alex Reed is part of the WITSEC program as well as her sister and her father. There's nothing she wants more than a relationship but fears that of putting her loved one in danger.

Debra Johnson is reluctant to start a relationship without honesty and openness, two qualities that are at the top of her list.

Alex and Debra meet but despite their attraction to one another, they decide they were only going to be friends.

Imperfect Truth is a stand alone book but apparently characters from C.A. Popovich's previous books make appearances. If I didn't read a few reviews, I would be none the wiser with the characters who appear in the book

The two main characters are likeable, however, I did find it a little annoying when they kept saying they were only going to be friends as well as Debra bringing up her list.

I thought that the pacing of the story was a little slow from the beginning to 3/4 of the book but then picked up from then onto the end.

Overall, I thought that this book was okay, it didn't really make me put it in the re-read pile. I'm also not sure whether I will pick up another book by this author.

Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-xU

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Rashika · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved the list, horse, meditation, pets, meetup.
fair read

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the accident, I wondered if "Wheels" was going to live and then thought back to the bio of author, where it stated there was always a happy ending. This whole idea of communication is scary, but so much anguish could be avoided if we only had the courage...the accident included.