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Pelican Point #1
Liar Liar
Willa Dimitriou is still reeling from her best friend Ruthie's untimely passing when she gets a letter sent before her death, requesting one, not-so-simple favor. To move next door to Ruthie's brother and two kids, and help them get past their grief. But there's a Willa can never tell Mac the truth about why she came to Pelican Point. All well and good in theory, only…
What happens when she falls head over heels in love with the whole family, and everything she's told them is a lie?
Dearest Will,
First, I need you to know that you’ve been my greatest blessing for the past two years. You gave me the motivation I needed to keep fighting when I couldn’t muster up my own. You made me laugh when I thought I had no more laughs left in me. You never pitied me or coddled me, except when I needed you to do both. I thank God every day that you came into my life.
And, now that you’re all soft and buttered up, I need a favor. I need you to drop everything, go to Pelican Point and take care of my brother and the kids.
I'm sure Mac is reeling right now. He's going to climb into his shell and stay there, because he’s a big, dumb lug when it comes to emotions and that’s what he did when his wife died. But the kids will have lost the closest thing they’ve had to a mother for the past three and a half years, and they’re going to be grieving, too. They’ll try to bang on that shell and get through to him, but Mac won’t even hear them knocking. That’s where you come in. A ball of energy and determination, you’ll shatter that shell and leave nothing but eggy shrapnel in your wake.
To meet those ends, I bought the house next door to Mac’s. The deed is in your name. The place is small and needs some love and attention, but you’re so good at giving both, I didn’t think you’d mind. Will, it’s important that you know this is a gift without strings. You hate your job, and not having to come up with rent will buy you some time to figure out what and who you want to be going forward. If you choose to spend that time in Pelican Point, more the better. If not, and you want to sell the house, that’s alright too. Thrive. Live. Love. Take the second chance you’ve been granted and don’t waste a single minute of it.
But...
If you DO decide to head to Pelican Point and stay awhile, please don’t tell Mac why you’ve come. The quickest way to ensure he won’t accept help is to offer it and say it’s from me. He thinks I “meddle” too much. I also worry that he would find a way to blame himself for me not leaning on and confiding in him instead of baring my soul to a room full of strangers at a support group. He’s the best guy I know, but he’s even more stubborn than me (if you can believe it!) and will cut the whole thing off at the knees if given the chance.
Don’t give him the chance.
And now for the apologies... I’m sorry for so many things, Will. I’m sorry because I know you’re hurt that I didn’t tell you about the relapse. I’m sorry I lied to you, and that I have to leave you behind. And most of all, I’m sorry to ask this monumental favor of you. I know it’s a lot, but I’m selfish, so I’m asking anyway.
Whenever you see a ladybug, know it’s me, watching over you (but also low-key checking in to see if you’ve decided to grant my dying wish).
What happens when she falls head over heels in love with the whole family, and everything she's told them is a lie?
Dearest Will,
First, I need you to know that you’ve been my greatest blessing for the past two years. You gave me the motivation I needed to keep fighting when I couldn’t muster up my own. You made me laugh when I thought I had no more laughs left in me. You never pitied me or coddled me, except when I needed you to do both. I thank God every day that you came into my life.
And, now that you’re all soft and buttered up, I need a favor. I need you to drop everything, go to Pelican Point and take care of my brother and the kids.
I'm sure Mac is reeling right now. He's going to climb into his shell and stay there, because he’s a big, dumb lug when it comes to emotions and that’s what he did when his wife died. But the kids will have lost the closest thing they’ve had to a mother for the past three and a half years, and they’re going to be grieving, too. They’ll try to bang on that shell and get through to him, but Mac won’t even hear them knocking. That’s where you come in. A ball of energy and determination, you’ll shatter that shell and leave nothing but eggy shrapnel in your wake.
To meet those ends, I bought the house next door to Mac’s. The deed is in your name. The place is small and needs some love and attention, but you’re so good at giving both, I didn’t think you’d mind. Will, it’s important that you know this is a gift without strings. You hate your job, and not having to come up with rent will buy you some time to figure out what and who you want to be going forward. If you choose to spend that time in Pelican Point, more the better. If not, and you want to sell the house, that’s alright too. Thrive. Live. Love. Take the second chance you’ve been granted and don’t waste a single minute of it.
But...
If you DO decide to head to Pelican Point and stay awhile, please don’t tell Mac why you’ve come. The quickest way to ensure he won’t accept help is to offer it and say it’s from me. He thinks I “meddle” too much. I also worry that he would find a way to blame himself for me not leaning on and confiding in him instead of baring my soul to a room full of strangers at a support group. He’s the best guy I know, but he’s even more stubborn than me (if you can believe it!) and will cut the whole thing off at the knees if given the chance.
Don’t give him the chance.
And now for the apologies... I’m sorry for so many things, Will. I’m sorry because I know you’re hurt that I didn’t tell you about the relapse. I’m sorry I lied to you, and that I have to leave you behind. And most of all, I’m sorry to ask this monumental favor of you. I know it’s a lot, but I’m selfish, so I’m asking anyway.
Whenever you see a ladybug, know it’s me, watching over you (but also low-key checking in to see if you’ve decided to grant my dying wish).
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2022
453 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Christine Gael
43 books155 followersChristine Gael is the women's fiction writing alter-ego of USA Today Bestselling contemporary romance author, Christine Bell, and NYT Bestselling paranormal romance author, Chloe Cole.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 14, 2023
This was a really cute book. I found myself struggling a little bit in the beginning bc this was a romance/contemporary book, so those usually take me a little bit longer to get into. However, I did really enjoy it once I got into it. It was very heartwarming and honestly a really good plot. I don’t read too many romance novels but I will say, this wasn’t like any other one that I have read before. It was more than just a silly little love story, it dealt with actual life and I think that’s why I enjoyed it so much bc romance wasn’t the main focus of this book. I’m not usually a series type of girl but I think I’ll actually have to give the second book in this series a try🤭
April 22, 2023
Life is short and we have to enjoy every minute.
Willa lost her best friend, Ruthie, to cancer. Willa had no idea that Ruthie’s cancer had returned. Ruthie had hidden it from her.
Ruthie left Willa a letter apologizing for not telling her that she was so sick, but that she loved Willa and cherished their friendship. Ruthie said that she needed a huge favor from Willa. She needed Willa to look after her brother, Mac, and his children, Ellie and Finn. She knew that Mac would withdraw as he did when he lost his wife. Ruthie couldn’t bear for that to happen again.
Ruthie bought the cottage next door for Willa. She asked that Willa help Mac with the children so that he can get his life together, but not tell him that she knew Ruthie or that Ruthie has asked her to help.
Will Willa stay at the cottage and fulfill her friends final request or will she fix up the cottage and sell it?
Willa lost her best friend, Ruthie, to cancer. Willa had no idea that Ruthie’s cancer had returned. Ruthie had hidden it from her.
Ruthie left Willa a letter apologizing for not telling her that she was so sick, but that she loved Willa and cherished their friendship. Ruthie said that she needed a huge favor from Willa. She needed Willa to look after her brother, Mac, and his children, Ellie and Finn. She knew that Mac would withdraw as he did when he lost his wife. Ruthie couldn’t bear for that to happen again.
Ruthie bought the cottage next door for Willa. She asked that Willa help Mac with the children so that he can get his life together, but not tell him that she knew Ruthie or that Ruthie has asked her to help.
Will Willa stay at the cottage and fulfill her friends final request or will she fix up the cottage and sell it?
July 23, 2023
3.5 stars.
A cute book, with a good story line.
Willa and Ruthie were the best of friends, but when Ruthie passes away and her dying wish is for Willa to move into a home next door to Ruthie’s brother, Mac, and his kids, Willa agrees. At least long enough to flip the house. But once she meets Mac and the kids, it’s hard for her to leave. But Ruthie didn’t want Willa to tell Mac she was there to help, so now it feels like she’s hiding a secret.
Definitely original. I haven’t read anything like it before. The character development was good, but it just felt like the book bounced around a bit. Things would be going day by day and then all of a sudden several days or weeks had passed. Some of the info was irrelevant to the development of the story, but since it is a series, I could see why bits and pieces were tied in. Overall, it was a good read, I just didn’t love it.
A cute book, with a good story line.
Willa and Ruthie were the best of friends, but when Ruthie passes away and her dying wish is for Willa to move into a home next door to Ruthie’s brother, Mac, and his kids, Willa agrees. At least long enough to flip the house. But once she meets Mac and the kids, it’s hard for her to leave. But Ruthie didn’t want Willa to tell Mac she was there to help, so now it feels like she’s hiding a secret.
Definitely original. I haven’t read anything like it before. The character development was good, but it just felt like the book bounced around a bit. Things would be going day by day and then all of a sudden several days or weeks had passed. Some of the info was irrelevant to the development of the story, but since it is a series, I could see why bits and pieces were tied in. Overall, it was a good read, I just didn’t love it.
October 30, 2022
A heart warming adventure
A heart warming adventure in Pelican point. A place of healing. The characters are broken but just maybe if they pull together they can make it through all the stuff that has happened in their lives. This book brought me so much joy. I got lost in the pages and swept up in all the emotions. The book is so well written I felt like I was a part of the book. I felt what the charachters felt, I lol when they laughed,& I cried when they cried. I think if you give this book a chance you'll be swept up in it too.
A heart warming adventure in Pelican point. A place of healing. The characters are broken but just maybe if they pull together they can make it through all the stuff that has happened in their lives. This book brought me so much joy. I got lost in the pages and swept up in all the emotions. The book is so well written I felt like I was a part of the book. I felt what the charachters felt, I lol when they laughed,& I cried when they cried. I think if you give this book a chance you'll be swept up in it too.
November 5, 2022
Impossible Situations
Friends can often times leave us in difficult situations, nevermind when it is their dying wish!
Willa is damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t… but how do you turn your back on those adorable little faces known as Ellie and Finn?
As usual Christine Gael spins a beautiful tale of friendship, love and family fraught with the every day emotional battles of right and wrong, with strong characters and beautiful world building.
This is an excellent introduction to the Pelican Point series. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Friends can often times leave us in difficult situations, nevermind when it is their dying wish!
Willa is damned if she does, damned if she doesn’t… but how do you turn your back on those adorable little faces known as Ellie and Finn?
As usual Christine Gael spins a beautiful tale of friendship, love and family fraught with the every day emotional battles of right and wrong, with strong characters and beautiful world building.
This is an excellent introduction to the Pelican Point series. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 8, 2023
I swear Christine Gael can do no wrong when it comes to writing. This was another phenomenal read. I loved Willa she was put in such a hard spot by Ruthie but she did such a great job of taking care of everyone. The kids were such great characters right along with Mac. This was a quick, heartfelt and cozy read. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. Thank you for always writing so good and keeping me wanting more. I highly recommend this book and her other series. I have read every book of hers and all of them are perfect!!
March 28, 2023
A modern fairytale
This is one of those" you just can't put it down "stories! Willa's best friend has a " broken"brother ,which the best friend tried to fix,bue she and Willa became best friends in cancer rehab and said best friend is not cancer free as Willa is do decides since she can't fix her brother Willa can,with the enticement of a free house! The story goes through the adventure of becoming a part of a group,a good neighbor,a Nanny, to close friends! It captures your heart in it's tales of a family coming together in acceptance!
This is one of those" you just can't put it down "stories! Willa's best friend has a " broken"brother ,which the best friend tried to fix,bue she and Willa became best friends in cancer rehab and said best friend is not cancer free as Willa is do decides since she can't fix her brother Willa can,with the enticement of a free house! The story goes through the adventure of becoming a part of a group,a good neighbor,a Nanny, to close friends! It captures your heart in it's tales of a family coming together in acceptance!
May 16, 2024
No Truths
I have had the opportunity to have found several books by Christine Gael. She has written several series and everyone that I’ve read has been very good. This book tells the story of two women trying to get through life after being diagnosed with cancer. They meet at a cancer support group. This relationship is so strong and intense and changes both of their lives. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Gael!
I have had the opportunity to have found several books by Christine Gael. She has written several series and everyone that I’ve read has been very good. This book tells the story of two women trying to get through life after being diagnosed with cancer. They meet at a cancer support group. This relationship is so strong and intense and changes both of their lives. I look forward to reading more books by Ms. Gael!
October 30, 2022
5 Stars
5 stars for Liar Liar (Pelican Pointe Book 1). A beautiful setting, interesting characters and complicated relationships. A great introduction to Pelican Pointe. Deals with death and loss beautifully.
5 stars for Liar Liar (Pelican Pointe Book 1). A beautiful setting, interesting characters and complicated relationships. A great introduction to Pelican Pointe. Deals with death and loss beautifully.
November 4, 2022
Heartwarming story
Nothing is granted in anyone’s life but love is the power to give you a second chance to live, to hope, to love. To heal, to get your life back. Not always easy to do just that and forgive.
Fantastic and heartwarming story that pulls at your heart and soul.
Nothing is granted in anyone’s life but love is the power to give you a second chance to live, to hope, to love. To heal, to get your life back. Not always easy to do just that and forgive.
Fantastic and heartwarming story that pulls at your heart and soul.
January 20, 2023
I absolutely love Chritine Gael. When I read her books, I feel as if I'm there with the characters. I love her beach settings, it is as if I get to live at the beach through her books.
I'm off to see what happens next at Pelican Point.😉
I'm off to see what happens next at Pelican Point.😉
March 29, 2023
Loved it!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Liar Liar. Each emotion I felt while reading this made me realize how talented Christine Gael really is. She has the magic touch for writing true romance.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Liar Liar. Each emotion I felt while reading this made me realize how talented Christine Gael really is. She has the magic touch for writing true romance.
April 3, 2023
Excellent Story
Wow! Really pulls at your heart strings. Interesting story that a friend creates when she passes, repaying a self created debt by giving her best friend not only a house but a chance to see herself for whom she is and not what she's expected to be.
Wow! Really pulls at your heart strings. Interesting story that a friend creates when she passes, repaying a self created debt by giving her best friend not only a house but a chance to see herself for whom she is and not what she's expected to be.
May 13, 2023
friends
If you we’re dying would you tell your friend? Would you fix her up with your brother? Would you try to give her a great life you could have had if not for cancer? Here’s a story about a woman who did just that!
If you we’re dying would you tell your friend? Would you fix her up with your brother? Would you try to give her a great life you could have had if not for cancer? Here’s a story about a woman who did just that!
July 26, 2024
Predictable but poignant
Quick summer read. Decent character development. Catherine was a pleasant surprise as we were able to see more of her. Could be a good book club choice
Quick summer read. Decent character development. Catherine was a pleasant surprise as we were able to see more of her. Could be a good book club choice
November 2, 2022
A good women's fiction/romance that I enjoyed reading and would recommend. Looking for the next book in series.
November 5, 2022
Beautiful
I loved reading the story between Ruthie
and Willa then Willa and Mac and kids.
Beautiful love story. Must read for a quiet happy read.
I loved reading the story between Ruthie
and Willa then Willa and Mac and kids.
Beautiful love story. Must read for a quiet happy read.
November 15, 2022
Liar Liar by Christine Gael
This was a good read. A little slow a first but once into it, it went fast. A good story with the expected outcome but a good read even so.
This was a good read. A little slow a first but once into it, it went fast. A good story with the expected outcome but a good read even so.
December 2, 2022
Love it
What a great new start of a new series. Can't wait to see what is next. The kids are so sweet and it was fun watching the relationship grow. Keep up the good work.
What a great new start of a new series. Can't wait to see what is next. The kids are so sweet and it was fun watching the relationship grow. Keep up the good work.
December 19, 2022
loved it!
I enjoyed reading it. Such a cute book. I did catch a few errors but I still loved reading it. I loved the kids and how everything ended.
I enjoyed reading it. Such a cute book. I did catch a few errors but I still loved reading it. I loved the kids and how everything ended.
January 5, 2023
loved it
January 6, 2023
It was a nice easy read.
July 7, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up. Cute, quick, easy read.
July 15, 2023
This story was great. I didn't want to put it down. The characters made me care about them. I laughed and cried as I read it.
July 15, 2023
so good I’ve read it twice!
Something I rarely do is read a a book twice but I have done with this one. Says it all 🙂
Something I rarely do is read a a book twice but I have done with this one. Says it all 🙂
July 23, 2023
This book was a very sweet/sad story. It involves a quirky promise from a character who has passed. I enjoyed it. It was a nice summer read.
July 31, 2023
This was a solid quick read. It is definitely predictable. It's like a cheesy Hallmark movie in a good way.
Read
August 9, 2023DNF…Read 23%
February 23, 2024
A really sweet and heartwarming book! ♥️
March 5, 2025
This book was a fast read and has a cute storyline. I gave it 4 stars due to the many grammatical errors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews