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Lie to Me #1
Lie to Me
The engagement is phony, but the diamonds are real...
Devastatingly handsome Jack Payton, the black sheep of his well-bred family, isn't exactly marriage material, but for a fake fiancé, he'll do just fine. Not that Eleanor Coggins has a choice. If she's going to prove that Jack's wealthy half brother Banner Westfield murdered her best friend, she needs total access to the family estate.
Once Jack and Eleanor blow Banner's cover, they can go their separate ways...or so she thinks. In order to win custody of his twelve-year-old daughter, Jack seriously needs to improve his reputation. An engagement should do the trick, but with Eleanor's vivacious wit and irresistible curves, it's the pretend part that's getting harder....
With a little help from an ex-con turned home security expert, a police chief with a scandalous secret, and an unexpected visitor, they must expose Banner's dangerous tricks before they become his victims. But can Jack convince Eleanor to turn their own seductive little lie into the truth?
Devastatingly handsome Jack Payton, the black sheep of his well-bred family, isn't exactly marriage material, but for a fake fiancé, he'll do just fine. Not that Eleanor Coggins has a choice. If she's going to prove that Jack's wealthy half brother Banner Westfield murdered her best friend, she needs total access to the family estate.
Once Jack and Eleanor blow Banner's cover, they can go their separate ways...or so she thinks. In order to win custody of his twelve-year-old daughter, Jack seriously needs to improve his reputation. An engagement should do the trick, but with Eleanor's vivacious wit and irresistible curves, it's the pretend part that's getting harder....
With a little help from an ex-con turned home security expert, a police chief with a scandalous secret, and an unexpected visitor, they must expose Banner's dangerous tricks before they become his victims. But can Jack convince Eleanor to turn their own seductive little lie into the truth?
371 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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353 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 25, 2021
This wasn't as fun as it sounded and I'm a little disappointed in this, but I would want to give Starr Ambrose another try as I think I could really like something by her. But this didn't really work for me unfortunately
May 26, 2017
4.5 stars.
Ellie quiere esclarecer la muerte de su mejor amiga. Jack necesita estabilizar su vida para conseguir la custodia de su hija, juntos pueden conseguir las dos cosas, así que…se prometen.
Y vaya el juego que da el “compromiso de conveniencia”.
El libro es muy entretenido, los personajes están muy trabajados y te gustan desde el primer momento. Los secundarios le dan muchísima vida a la historia y el suspense está conseguido, con giros que se ven venir, y otros que no tanto y la trama se va desarrollando a lo largo de todo el libro, con lo cual siempre está pasando algo.
Los buenos intentan hacerlo bien…pero no siempre lo consiguen…los malos…lo mismo…nada de líos y drama sin sentido.
Una historia bien escrita, con sentido y muy entretenida. Recomendable.
Ellie quiere esclarecer la muerte de su mejor amiga. Jack necesita estabilizar su vida para conseguir la custodia de su hija, juntos pueden conseguir las dos cosas, así que…se prometen.
Y vaya el juego que da el “compromiso de conveniencia”.
El libro es muy entretenido, los personajes están muy trabajados y te gustan desde el primer momento. Los secundarios le dan muchísima vida a la historia y el suspense está conseguido, con giros que se ven venir, y otros que no tanto y la trama se va desarrollando a lo largo de todo el libro, con lo cual siempre está pasando algo.
Los buenos intentan hacerlo bien…pero no siempre lo consiguen…los malos…lo mismo…nada de líos y drama sin sentido.
Una historia bien escrita, con sentido y muy entretenida. Recomendable.
January 13, 2020
3.5 stars
Pleasant, well-written contemporary caper romance - false engagement, wicked half-brother, chilly dowager, hot mysterious man with a Past. A little like Suzanne Enoch's Jellicoe series. A bonus point for a heroine who initiates sex, and a hero who's very happy to let her.
Pleasant, well-written contemporary caper romance - false engagement, wicked half-brother, chilly dowager, hot mysterious man with a Past. A little like Suzanne Enoch's Jellicoe series. A bonus point for a heroine who initiates sex, and a hero who's very happy to let her.
Read
November 17, 2011Ellie Coggins is determined to find the evidence she needs in order to prove that Banner Westfield murdered her best friend. While breaking into Banner's office during a house party is probably not the best plan she has have come up with, Ellie is getting desperate. And, she has just been caught by Jack Payton, the black sheep of the Westfield family who also happens to be Banner's half brother. In a split second the two become allies and engaged so as to cover for the real reasons they are in the office.
Jack Payton has just been paroled and is trying to get his life and daughter back. He wants to do all he can to convince social services and his estranged family that he has changed. Ellie posing as his affianced bride is a stuck of luck in itself and seems like the perfect start.
Ellie and Jack agree to help each other out. Due to her engagement to Jack, Ellie is able to get into the Westfield home much to the consternation of Banner. It is only a matter of time before Ellie gets the proof she needs to get Banner put away forever. Hopefully she will be able to let Jack go just as easily!
Jack Payton is the ultimate reformed bad boy. Criminal record aside, he is doing his very best to turn his life around so that the powers that be at children's social services will grant him custody of his beloved daughter. For this characteristic alone I fell in love with Jack. His loyalty and love towards his daughter and Ellie shines through during every scene.
If Jack is loyal, Ellie is loyal times ten. She is willing to put herself in danger in order to find the evidence she needs get Banner arrested. That aside, her love for Libby, Jack's daughter, grows into unconditional love much like the love of a mother and natural child. She and Jack's attraction to each other is so instantaneous I had no trouble seeing the dilemma each has with the other in trying to convince their families that they are truthfully engaged.
I found the plot and premise of LIE TO ME to be original and intriguing. Realistic in nature, I can only imagine how someone on parole feels when trying to regain the confidence needed to live day in and day out with the stigma of being a released prisoner. Jack's ability to focus on his mission to be a worthy father to Libby is notable and made me sigh with delight and smile. A daughter loved half as much as Jack loved his daughter Libby would make many young girls very lucky.
LIE TO ME is a great addition to my every expanding keeper shelf. I swooned at Jack's sensuality and gritted my teeth at Banner's audacity and then you have Libby's tenacity and Ellie's unwavering loyalty. All of these traits made for a truly wonderful read!
Jack Payton has just been paroled and is trying to get his life and daughter back. He wants to do all he can to convince social services and his estranged family that he has changed. Ellie posing as his affianced bride is a stuck of luck in itself and seems like the perfect start.
Ellie and Jack agree to help each other out. Due to her engagement to Jack, Ellie is able to get into the Westfield home much to the consternation of Banner. It is only a matter of time before Ellie gets the proof she needs to get Banner put away forever. Hopefully she will be able to let Jack go just as easily!
Jack Payton is the ultimate reformed bad boy. Criminal record aside, he is doing his very best to turn his life around so that the powers that be at children's social services will grant him custody of his beloved daughter. For this characteristic alone I fell in love with Jack. His loyalty and love towards his daughter and Ellie shines through during every scene.
If Jack is loyal, Ellie is loyal times ten. She is willing to put herself in danger in order to find the evidence she needs get Banner arrested. That aside, her love for Libby, Jack's daughter, grows into unconditional love much like the love of a mother and natural child. She and Jack's attraction to each other is so instantaneous I had no trouble seeing the dilemma each has with the other in trying to convince their families that they are truthfully engaged.
I found the plot and premise of LIE TO ME to be original and intriguing. Realistic in nature, I can only imagine how someone on parole feels when trying to regain the confidence needed to live day in and day out with the stigma of being a released prisoner. Jack's ability to focus on his mission to be a worthy father to Libby is notable and made me sigh with delight and smile. A daughter loved half as much as Jack loved his daughter Libby would make many young girls very lucky.
LIE TO ME is a great addition to my every expanding keeper shelf. I swooned at Jack's sensuality and gritted my teeth at Banner's audacity and then you have Libby's tenacity and Ellie's unwavering loyalty. All of these traits made for a truly wonderful read!
September 25, 2010
4.5 stars. Wow! An excellent new author. Smart, entertaining, writes a good story.
STORY BRIEF:
Banner marries Janet, and she disappears two months later. Three months after that, Janet’s best friend Ellie sneaks into Banner’s home to search for evidence against him. Ellie believes Banner killed Janet and wants to put him away. Jack is Banner’s half-brother and the black sheep of the family. Jack and Ellie meet and then pretend to be engaged. Ellie does it so she has access to Banner’s home to search for evidence. Jack does it so he can appear more responsible in his efforts to win custody of his twelve-year-old daughter Libby.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
The plot and the events moving it along were excellent and well done. The conflicts were good. The romance was good. I was chuckling many times and laughing out loud several times. The conversations were witty and smart. I usually don’t like a hero and heroine lying to each other as a way to have conflict. In this story they lie to other people (not to each other) which makes things interesting. There are a variety of complicated and engaging characters. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is due to the lack of a strong emotional feeling at the end. But not all books need to have that. This book was good entertainment, so I rounded up to 5 stars for Amazon.
There was an unexpected yet wonderful seduction scene. While Jack is driving Ellie to his home, he describes in detail the script for their coming bedroom scene. It was different and sensually moving.
I have one recommendation. An epilogue would have been nice to learn more details about evidence, convictions and jail terms for the bad guys. The story ends with some of this, but I would have liked more.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve read one other book by Starr Ambrose. My 3.5 star review of “Our Little Secret” Copyright 2009 was posted 11-26-09. Her third book “Thieves Like Us” should be out Fall 2010.
DATA:
Story length: 371 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 4. Total number of sex scene pages: 18. Setting: current day Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Copyright: 2008. Genre: contemporary romance with suspense.
STORY BRIEF:
Banner marries Janet, and she disappears two months later. Three months after that, Janet’s best friend Ellie sneaks into Banner’s home to search for evidence against him. Ellie believes Banner killed Janet and wants to put him away. Jack is Banner’s half-brother and the black sheep of the family. Jack and Ellie meet and then pretend to be engaged. Ellie does it so she has access to Banner’s home to search for evidence. Jack does it so he can appear more responsible in his efforts to win custody of his twelve-year-old daughter Libby.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
The plot and the events moving it along were excellent and well done. The conflicts were good. The romance was good. I was chuckling many times and laughing out loud several times. The conversations were witty and smart. I usually don’t like a hero and heroine lying to each other as a way to have conflict. In this story they lie to other people (not to each other) which makes things interesting. There are a variety of complicated and engaging characters. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is due to the lack of a strong emotional feeling at the end. But not all books need to have that. This book was good entertainment, so I rounded up to 5 stars for Amazon.
There was an unexpected yet wonderful seduction scene. While Jack is driving Ellie to his home, he describes in detail the script for their coming bedroom scene. It was different and sensually moving.
I have one recommendation. An epilogue would have been nice to learn more details about evidence, convictions and jail terms for the bad guys. The story ends with some of this, but I would have liked more.
OTHER BOOKS:
I’ve read one other book by Starr Ambrose. My 3.5 star review of “Our Little Secret” Copyright 2009 was posted 11-26-09. Her third book “Thieves Like Us” should be out Fall 2010.
DATA:
Story length: 371 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 4. Total number of sex scene pages: 18. Setting: current day Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Copyright: 2008. Genre: contemporary romance with suspense.
March 8, 2009
This was an enjoyable book. I became attached to the characters, even the minor characters. I am hoping that there is another book that continues these characters. This book starts right away with attraction and mystery. The main characters end up in the library during a large party. One of the characters had broken into the library. Neither wants to be found, So of course when someone peeks into the library, the are forced to kiss. And what a kiss it was. A great way to start this book. What were they both looking for and how will they end up together?
January 7, 2015
This book was fun. It is full of tropes, but I had a great time reading it. I really liked Ellie, Jack, Libby and Rocky.
Ellie and Jack have a fake engagement to help them uncover the truth. A bunch of unrealistic things happen as they aren't the best at being sneaky, but I was enjoying it too much for it to bother me. The burgeoning relationship between Jack and his daughter was sweet to see.
Ellie and Jack have a fake engagement to help them uncover the truth. A bunch of unrealistic things happen as they aren't the best at being sneaky, but I was enjoying it too much for it to bother me. The burgeoning relationship between Jack and his daughter was sweet to see.
October 17, 2010
What a fun, well-written story! Jack and Ellie are great characters!
My favorite part of this book was when Jack seduces Ellie by telling her all the things he plans to do. It was hot and fun to read.
I would have liked it to be tied up better in the end, but all in all it ended just how it should have.
With no obvious plot devices, no big misunderstanding or any of the other things an author relies on when the story doesn't carry itself, this is a keeper for sure!
My favorite part of this book was when Jack seduces Ellie by telling her all the things he plans to do. It was hot and fun to read.
I would have liked it to be tied up better in the end, but all in all it ended just how it should have.
With no obvious plot devices, no big misunderstanding or any of the other things an author relies on when the story doesn't carry itself, this is a keeper for sure!
November 5, 2015
I enjoyed this book!
I wasn't sure what to expect but from pretty much the first chapter I was pulled into this story. The quirkiness of Ellie, the charm of Jack, the whole murder thing...I was hooked.
The characters grew on me as did the whole storyline.
Not something I would have normally picked up just from the cover, but something I did.
I wasn't sure what to expect but from pretty much the first chapter I was pulled into this story. The quirkiness of Ellie, the charm of Jack, the whole murder thing...I was hooked.
The characters grew on me as did the whole storyline.
Not something I would have normally picked up just from the cover, but something I did.
December 25, 2008
Fun read for a debut novel from Starr Ambrose. I am looking forward to more from this author!
September 15, 2009
A very good book for Ms. Ambrose's debut. She writes a fun and entertaining romantic suspense novel. Looking forward to her next one out soon.
June 22, 2025
Pretty sure I liked this when I read it.. BUT: It’s not very memorable as I had to flip through and make sure I finished it before I wrote this review. HA. Sure, it’s intense at times and the author sounds like she has some pent up hormones, but it was so-so.
June 9, 2020
Me gustó
March 1, 2012
Review as seen on Ed and Em's Reviews!
2.5/5
I liked this, but I didn't love it. I just couldn't get into the last 45%. There is a twist that makes the book just get cheesy and annoying. I didn't really like Ellie (Eleanor, Nora, El). She annoyed me from the very beginning. There is a line between being gutsy and brave and being an idiot and reacting without thinking. I just didn't like her at all. I liked Jack, somewhat. He was annoying at some points, too, but it was easy to see that he was a good guy.
My favorite character was Libby. She was such a sweet little girl. The last chapter was very touching for these three characters. It was a good ending for a cheesy romance book. Rocky was awesome, too. He was fun and added some seriousness and comedy to the novel. And though I didn't like her in the being, Elizabeth was another great character. She really stepped up at the end.
I was really bummed that I didn't like it as much as I hoped to. The blurb made it sound so interesting and really got me searching for this book. So once I had to start skimming the novel to keep my interest and be able to finish it, I was sad. The premise is great. The characters definitely need some work. And I just couldn't get into the whole "rich people lifestyle." The wealthy people in this book were so stereotypical. Plus, it seemed completely unrealistic.
The author had a very interesting writing technique, but I didn't like the flipping between point-of-views. I wish she had stuck with Ellie's and interpreted Ellie's thoughts on Jack's reactions. Knowing how they both felt the entire time was just frustrating. There was no mystery in this novel. Everything was obvious and the whole basis of this novel was supposed to be mystery.
I wish I could've liked this more than I had, but I just... didn't. I don't know if I will read any more of Ms. Ambrose's writing, if they are all like this.
2.5/5
I liked this, but I didn't love it. I just couldn't get into the last 45%. There is a twist that makes the book just get cheesy and annoying. I didn't really like Ellie (Eleanor, Nora, El). She annoyed me from the very beginning. There is a line between being gutsy and brave and being an idiot and reacting without thinking. I just didn't like her at all. I liked Jack, somewhat. He was annoying at some points, too, but it was easy to see that he was a good guy.
My favorite character was Libby. She was such a sweet little girl. The last chapter was very touching for these three characters. It was a good ending for a cheesy romance book. Rocky was awesome, too. He was fun and added some seriousness and comedy to the novel. And though I didn't like her in the being, Elizabeth was another great character. She really stepped up at the end.
I was really bummed that I didn't like it as much as I hoped to. The blurb made it sound so interesting and really got me searching for this book. So once I had to start skimming the novel to keep my interest and be able to finish it, I was sad. The premise is great. The characters definitely need some work. And I just couldn't get into the whole "rich people lifestyle." The wealthy people in this book were so stereotypical. Plus, it seemed completely unrealistic.
The author had a very interesting writing technique, but I didn't like the flipping between point-of-views. I wish she had stuck with Ellie's and interpreted Ellie's thoughts on Jack's reactions. Knowing how they both felt the entire time was just frustrating. There was no mystery in this novel. Everything was obvious and the whole basis of this novel was supposed to be mystery.
I wish I could've liked this more than I had, but I just... didn't. I don't know if I will read any more of Ms. Ambrose's writing, if they are all like this.
March 1, 2012
People who are too stupid to learn from their mistakes deserve whatever they get.
- Jack
Good luck.
- Ben
Good luck’ isn’t exactly like ‘best wishes,’ is it?
- Ellie
You don’t always have to be the aggressor, Ellie. Stop listening to your head and follow your instincts.
- Jack
They seem to be right on target.
- Ellie
some things are better if you don’t rush them.
- Jack
The best plans are simple.
- Rocky
I’ll go see if Jack has killed your ex-boyfriend yet.
- Rocky
He’s pretty handsome, and he has this way of looking at me like I’m a piece of chocolate cream pie and he hasn’t eaten in a week
- Ellie
When it’s over, it’s over, and the mature woman knows how to leave without regret and get on with her life.
- Ellie
Crazy was better than in love. You could walk away from crazy without regrets.
- Ellie
I was an innocent, a babe in the woods, before I met you.
- Ellie
For a fleeting moment she wondered if he felt the same sharp tug on his heart, the same giddy warmth that had startled her.
- Ellie
He was like a huge dose of therapy, only more fun.
- Janet
I’ve made enough mistakes to know you have to put them behind you if you want to move forward.
- Jack
There had to be another special man out there somewhere. Didn’t there?
- Ellie
Never settle for appropriate when you can have fabulous.
- Elizabeth
- Jack
Good luck.
- Ben
Good luck’ isn’t exactly like ‘best wishes,’ is it?
- Ellie
You don’t always have to be the aggressor, Ellie. Stop listening to your head and follow your instincts.
- Jack
They seem to be right on target.
- Ellie
some things are better if you don’t rush them.
- Jack
The best plans are simple.
- Rocky
I’ll go see if Jack has killed your ex-boyfriend yet.
- Rocky
He’s pretty handsome, and he has this way of looking at me like I’m a piece of chocolate cream pie and he hasn’t eaten in a week
- Ellie
When it’s over, it’s over, and the mature woman knows how to leave without regret and get on with her life.
- Ellie
Crazy was better than in love. You could walk away from crazy without regrets.
- Ellie
I was an innocent, a babe in the woods, before I met you.
- Ellie
For a fleeting moment she wondered if he felt the same sharp tug on his heart, the same giddy warmth that had startled her.
- Ellie
He was like a huge dose of therapy, only more fun.
- Janet
I’ve made enough mistakes to know you have to put them behind you if you want to move forward.
- Jack
There had to be another special man out there somewhere. Didn’t there?
- Ellie
Never settle for appropriate when you can have fabulous.
- Elizabeth
July 31, 2016
Ellie Coggins is sure her best friend Janet has been murdered by her husband, Banner Westfield. While breaking into the Westfield's home searching for evidence, however, she is discovered by Banner's brother Jack. Jack also has suspicions about Banner's activities and decides to work with Ellie, both to try and bring down Banner AND gain custody of his daughter.
The dialogue between Jack and Ellie and their growing attraction for each other make this a delightful story. There is also a surprisingly entertaining mystery about Banner's involvement with Janet's death AND Jack's conviction for manslaughter caused by drunk driving. A group of strong secondary characters rounds out this delightful story. The only character who sees a bit 2 dimensional is Banner.
The dialogue between Jack and Ellie and their growing attraction for each other make this a delightful story. There is also a surprisingly entertaining mystery about Banner's involvement with Janet's death AND Jack's conviction for manslaughter caused by drunk driving. A group of strong secondary characters rounds out this delightful story. The only character who sees a bit 2 dimensional is Banner.
January 29, 2011
Oh, my God! I frickin' L-O-V-E this book!!!!!
I love the characters, the plot and, and just everything!
Sorry, just had to get that out of the way =]
Lie to Me is the story of an unlikely love story between Elle Coggins, a small town girl wanting revenge for her best friend, Janet Westfield, and Jack Payton, a recently released from prison brother-in-law of Janet's.
Elle and Jack's relationship is full of hot and steamy moments between their fake engaagement, custody for Jack's 12-year-old daughter and the truth behind Janet's murder.
This book is a page turner from start to finish and one the I highly recommend!
I love the characters, the plot and, and just everything!
Sorry, just had to get that out of the way =]
Lie to Me is the story of an unlikely love story between Elle Coggins, a small town girl wanting revenge for her best friend, Janet Westfield, and Jack Payton, a recently released from prison brother-in-law of Janet's.
Elle and Jack's relationship is full of hot and steamy moments between their fake engaagement, custody for Jack's 12-year-old daughter and the truth behind Janet's murder.
This book is a page turner from start to finish and one the I highly recommend!
January 2, 2015
Sadly, the best thing I can say about this book is that I finished it. I was so disappointed; I really wanted it to be good and it just wasn't. There was no depth to the characters, the plot was haphazard and the twists were transparent. This was the first book I've read by this author and it will also be my last.
July 14, 2015
3,5 bintang! Lumayan bagus ceritanya. Agak mengingatkan saya dengan west series berjudul Revenge, soalnya plotnya mirip-mirip dikit. Ada fake death, pura2 tunangan, balas dendamnya juga ada, dan juga antar keluarga tega buat saling ngejatuhin/bikin scheme.
May 26, 2009
I loved this book! Lies upon lies, but it worked out hilariously. It's very interesting how the plot is mapped out.
July 24, 2009
Loved this book... Considering it was a "TRN" it was so entertaining! I loved the main characters and it was just a really fun read.
July 22, 2010
Loved it! If your looking for a sizziling romance to keep you highly entertained, then this is it!
August 24, 2010
Fun, quick read for the summer!
March 16, 2011
This was a good story. Nothing overly exciting, but it had likable characters with good chemistry between H&H.
May 1, 2011
A good, fun contemporary read.
December 22, 2011
This book is really good. Theres some suspense and moments were i couldnt stop laughing. Ellie and Jack are great together.
December 30, 2014
I like the book, it was a fun read. The characters were fun, the plot was also fun, so a fun read I say.
September 11, 2015
Not too shabby
May 27, 2009
A cute, light read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews