Couldn't put this novel down. It's a really fun read about a woman who tries to "pass" as a Christian to keep a temp job at a church after a bad breakup - and then realizes that the role she's playing might cost her a relationship with one of the musicians at the same church. And all the while, there's the landscape architect who seems to always be around and who's picked up on her secret. Every little detail adds up to a wonderful story - I'll look for more from this author.

5 stars- This is the first book I’ve read by Tammy Gray and it won’t be the last. Upon reading the synopsis of the story it sounded like a fun, lighthearted story. I admit though I couldn’t help but think that it would be a pretty contrived story. You know, the whole non-Christian character that gets wowed by the church and all the amazing Christians and of course can’t help but become a Christian herself. But after getting a few chapters in, I realized that the author had an amazing first person narrative going on as her main character January and that this book had a lot more depth than I had anticipated. Jan had a lot of baggage she needed to unpack and as the book progressed, her feelings and situation seemed authentic.
I normally prefer a 3rd person point of view but in this book I really enjoyed seeing the story unfold through Jan’s eyes. Dillon and Cameron were both great characters that I liked getting to know along with Jan. There were numerous supporting characters that added extra charm to the story as well.
After reading this book I realized I have a few of Tammy’s other books on my Kindle. I am excited to have discovered a new-to-me author and look forward to reading more of her books.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this! Growing up, I only read Christian fiction. However, it’s been years since I read one. This felt like reading a warm hug - the church talk, the beautiful setting of the wedding venue, the sweet and cheesy romance.. they were wonderful to read and added greatly to my enjoyment of the story. January was a lovely character to live through for a while.

January needed a job and a fresh start. Why did it matter if her new position at a church was inconsistent with her feelings on faith. So she didn't believe in God? Would that really make a difference? Her aunt knew the truth, but did anyone else really need to know?
This book was about January's transformation into being worried about herself (which she had to do from an early age for survival purposes) into a woman who cared for others. There are also elements of grief and about the process of learning to let go of loss and of disappointment.
Learning to be truly real with those around us is another element in this book. This transparency came to play into the romance element as well. January learned that hiding how she really felt was going to be a deterrent to having a thriving relationship. (The last few chapters in this book are SO good!) Healing finally took place in several relationships once the truth was disclosed. Forgiveness cannot happen unless those who are injured and those who offended both speak the truth in love.
I read this book through NetGalley right after it was released. Thanks to Bethany House for keeping the review option open a bit longer. All opinions of this book are my own.

I am so glad Tammy L Gray decided to write another book.
I feel like it is almost impossible not to like a character named January. She introduces herself as Jan by the way, mostly because she can't deal with not really having an explanation of why her mother named her after the most boring month of the year. And here, might give just a hint on her complicated relationship with her mother.
I adored this book because Tammy L Gray does not shy away from the messiness of life -- the brokenness and traumas that all affect our self-worth. And through her pen, she weaves redemption and hopes so true that they are sure to nudge anyone who can relate to the pit the characters find themselves in.

Well done! I am so looking forward to the next book :)

January Sanders was heartbroken after she gave up her job and moved with her boyfriend, who then dumped her for another woman. Her Aunt Doreen owned a wedding venue called Boots & Love Ranch, and she let January move into a cabin at that location. Aunt Doreen also got January a temporary job at Doreen’s church, Grace Community Church, assisting Discipleship and Education Pastor Ralph O’Neal, who was swamped with all of his commitments and was very unorganized. January had a photographic memory and good organization skills and was very successful in that role, even though she kept it a secret that she was not a Christian and didn’t even believe in God. While on the job, January met handsome Cameron Lee, who was the church’s guitarist on the Praise Team. She found Cameron to be irresistible, but again did not admit her lack of faith.

January also met a young architect, Dillon Kyle, who worked much of the time for Aunt Doreen, building more wedding venue structures and doing the landscaping. Dillon knew a lot of January’s past and pushed her to deal with her feelings. He came across as abrasive, but was also dealing with devastating situations in his own life.

There are also many other characters in the story who have an influence on January, most of them in a positive, God-guided way. Will Cameron and January have a future together? Will January finally realize that God is real and surrender to Jesus Christ as her Savior? Read this amazing book to learn all the details. Tammy L. Gray is a wonderfully talented author.

Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

Love and a Little White Lie
A story that captivated my interest all the way thru! One to be re-read.

January is a girl like many of us who didn't grow up going to church. She was a little lost and sought refuge during heartbreak. Just like God does for many of us, he offered the refuge and helped her find her way. She grew spiritually and eventually helped heal a small part of her family. This story is a sweet one showing our human nature and how God is more than us. He works in ways we do not understand, but the heartbreak is almost always worth the reward. Recommend this sweet, quick book.

Every book that I've read by Tammy Gray has spoken to some part of me. This book is no exception. I read the first page and I was hooked.


I don't necessarily like the title (this book is Christian fiction, should have nothing to do with lies, even the little white kind). I do like the main character, January. She is so very relatable. She admits quite openly at the beginning of the story that she is not a Christian. And yet, she finds herself working at a church. And, falling for an amazing Christian man.


In this book, Tammy Gray shows us the journey of one lost soul. A journey that probably each of us can relate to, in some way or other.


This is a well written story, filled with romance and not a little drama.


Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I truly wanted to like this book, but I really struggled right from the start. The characters were hard to like and identify with and the plot itself was not something that kept my interest. This book is written in first person and since the heroine wasn’t enjoyable to me, it made it really hard to move past. I felt like I was being assaulted by sneering sarcasm with every sentence. It missed the mark for being light and funny and landed more in the realm of obnoxious, immature, and snarky. I could not appreciate the way that some of the characters flaws painted believers in such a poor light. I do feel like the intent was to show that all of us are flawed and make mistakes. However, it was disappointing to use a character like a worship leader and portray him as fame hungry, flirtatious, and able to croon anyone into loving him with his raspy rendition of amazing grace. It missed the mark for me. Apart from that I just didn’t love the concept of this agnostic heroine waltzing around and trying to play God of sorts by “fixing” things her way. In the context of the story I get why it was there, but for me it grated against my nerves. The heroine came off more as a stalker obsessed with finding a boyfriend than a hurting and confused woman who had recently been dumped.
This just wasn’t the book for me. I know others who have read and enjoyed this book, so I feel like it just doesn’t suit my tastes. I always encourage readers to give books a try and see if it might be something that they would enjoy in spite of my feelings on a particular book.

3.5 rounded up. I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did. Unfortunately, both the romance and the. the conversion story fell flat for me. Although not doctrinally heavy, the conversion story overshadowed the romance. Neither man in January's life fully accepted her until she embraced Christianity. Dillon was more supportive of her faith journey and let her take it at her pace, but for me, there was something off about his timing for admitting there was a romance and her conversion.

I put this book down several times and probably wouldn't have picked it back up had I not committed to review it. Readers whose brand of Christianity includes mega-churches may appreciate the book more than I did as I had a hard time seeing the overworked staff doing so much of the ministering work that the members should have been doing by loving their neighbor. Ironically January was living more of a Christian lifestyle (visiting the sick, compassion for the lonely) than some of the church employees.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion, which is my own.

This was a beautifully written story. The author pulled me in quickly by creating characters that are imperfectly human with real life problems and doubts. The main character, January, is trying to escape heartbreak and find peace in the town where her aunt and uncle live. She takes a job with a church even though she doesn't believe in God herself. From the beginning, she feels like she doesn't belong there as if she's a fraud. However, Jan soon finds that she can actually be helpful in the position. She even finds that in doing for others, she feels more complete. Along the way, January meets others that are battling their own demons. She learns that even those with a belief in God can have lapses in their faith.

Not only was this a wonderful story in general, but I also loved the gentle way that Ms. Gray wove faith into it. There was no judgement against January because she didn't initially believe. Instead, it was a graceful and seamless transition that developed throughout the course of the story.

This was my first book by Ms. Gray and I look forward to reading more by her in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for this reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book by Tammy L Gray and couldn't put it down. I'm so glad she didn't give up on writing. January ends up living on her aunt's wedding-venue property while she tries to get her life back together. Her employment at a local church stretches her and forces her out of her comfort zone. I loved the unique characters and Ms Gray has a way of pulling us into their struggles that make us feel like we are right there with them. I highly recommend Love and a Little White Lie and am happy to see that it is book #1 in a series!

This was fun, sweet read that u just ate up.
Cute romance.
Nothing more and nothing less. Just sweetness.
3 stars for me.

Love and a Little White Lie was a breath of fresh air for me. It’s fresh, lively, and real. January’s first-person narration is engaging and pulled me in right away. I adored getting to know her and loved every moment experiencing her story. It is definitely a conversion story. A lot of the story takes place at a church, reminding readers that ideas are great, but unless there is someone to be the hands and feet, not much is going to get done.

January herself is funny and a bit self-deprecating. She’s pretty aware of her faults and foibles without being too self-aware, which I appreciated. She has lived her life based on the whims of others, not really for herself, and after a major heartbreak, has come to live with her aunt to catch her breath and figure out her next steps. As with any good story, things don’t flow quite as she anticipates as she tries to do things her own way, thinking that omitting truths will work out for her in the end. I admit that at first I had a bit of a hard time with her decision making, but as the story progresses, she does as well. She truly does come to the end of herself, and that’s where things get interesting.

Dillon is by far my favorite secondary character, though Aunt Doreen is a close second. I anticipate there was some set up for the next book with the other secondary characters, and I can see their stories being quite compelling, if one or both of them are the protagonists of the next book. The dialogue is full of wit, a dose of snark, and had me smiling on more than one occasion. The plot flows well and held my interest the entire time.

This is my third novel by Tammy L. Gray and, without a doubt, my favorite so far. I highly recommend it to fans of contemporary romance with a strong inspirational message.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a review, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

One Lie = A Better Life?

How does an atheist end up working in a church? Jan needed a job, the church had an opening, and she pretended to be a Christian to get it. Jan’s life is a mess. She was jilted by the guy whom she thought was “the one,” she was broke, and she had to move in her aunt’s cabin. What could a small lie hurt, if it helped get her life together and back on her feet? All kinds of things can ripple out from a lie, unfortunately, Jan discovers this.

Jan finds the church and the people in it, are radically different than what she had assumed. Even though she thinks writing messages to a non-existent deity is a waste of time, she is shocked to find the prayer requests are all read and cared about. Jan finally finds the perfect boyfriend. Except he works at the church, too, and he expects her to be a Christian. He tells her he can’t be unequally yoked—whatever that means.

This story is modern, fresh and is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I found myself unable to put it down, and you will feel the same way, too! Although Jan can be a bit rough around the edges, this 5-plus star story is told from a Christian viewpoint. You will thoroughly enjoy this fish-out-of-water tale, and I recommend it to older teens and above.

Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, Love and a Little White Lie, for the purpose of review. The opinions are all mine.

This was such a fun book! It’s lighthearted with serious moments too, as Jan struggles with feeling lost after her breakup, move, and job change. Her job at a church, combined with her skepticism towards faith and her unfamiliarity with "Christianese," provide some humor as well as heartfelt moments. The two heroes in the story also make things a little unpredictable, and I really enjoyed the witty dialogue and writing style.

Some Christian fiction can come across as cliche, cheesy, or preachy, but that's not the case here. I love the way Jan's questions about faith are explored - her story was portrayed in a genuine, authentic way. I’m looking forward to reading more of Tammy L. Gray’s books!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Where in the world have I been? Under a rock? I feel like I have missed out on all Tammy L. Gray’s other books! This was my first time reading one of her books and I thoroughly enjoyed her straightforward writing style. This book is probably the first in a series if I had a guess, and I am very happy with that prospect.

Tammy L. Gray writes this story from a first-person perspective and it was fascinating. I loved the raw emotions, and actions of the characters; they felt real and not cushioned by the reader’s expectations. January is a very well-developed character whom I could totally relate too (I mean honestly, how many of us have not dressed up for someone we hoped to impress and had less than satisfactory results?). But January takes it all in stride and turns her misfortunes around without even realizing that she is doing it. I also really enjoyed the slow build romance in this story, it was not the focus, but it was a great side-benefit.

The setting of this book was in Texas, which was awesome, as I know many of the places that were mentioned in this book. It was just the right amount of small-town charm mixed with the feeling of being apart of something bigger. I enjoyed the offhanded humor and the amazing message of accepting people as they are and letting the Lord work. Truly a great portrayal of the gospel. I could not put this book down!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars for the great story-line, the real and edgy characters, and for the underlying themes throughout the whole book! I highly recommend picking this book up to read.

*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.

The cover of this book drew me in immediately and the premise sounded like it would be an entertaining read so I jumped at the chance to read it. Having had mixed feelings about the other books that I’ve read by this author-loving some, DNFing others-I went into it a little cautiously but optimistic. Sadly this ended up not being the book for me. From the start things just felt a little off to me, and while there were moments sprinkled throughout where I thought it might turn around, by the end I had to admit that it just never clicked for me.
I really had a hard time with January’s character. As the book starts she is fresh off the heartbreak of a failed relationship that she, in my opinion, jumped into too hard and fast, only to be faced with two new guys almost immediately. One was instant infatuation and involved lying about the most important part of a (Christian) relationship. And the other guy kinda had a frenemies thing going on with January, being rude and abrasive with each other but also they have these little moments between their barbs. Both of the guys had their own baggage and hang ups that I felt needed to be addressed more before either of them considered a relationship and with January’s fresh break-up it just made the romance hard to root for because it seemed like they all needed more time before diving into something serious. The fact that the heroine basically had three relationships in about half a year was too much in my opinion and did not paint January in a favorable light. Also I would have preferred less time with the relationship that wasn’t to be and more page time for the one she ended up with.
I wanted to like this book so much but I just couldn’t find any character to get behind and I wanted things to play out so much differently than they did. I seem to be in the minority though so please don’t just take my word for it, read some other reviews and see if maybe this book is for you!

Have you ever felt like you’re living a lie ... especially regarding your faith? Felt you didn’t deserve happiness? Enjoy contemporary romance? If you answered yes, this book is for you!

Due to her mother’s life choices, January Sanders had a traumatic childhood, and so far her adulthood isn’t so great either. After her latest break-up, she escapes to her beloved Aunt Doreen’s Texas ranch to regroup.
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Jan’s life changes in expected ways during her time in Texas, and she impacts those around her as well. I appreciated the ‘real life’ struggles the main characters experienced, and as the striking cover implies, there’s a swoony love story as well!