This was a light hearted, comical story, the characters were brilliant and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I was attracted to this book by the title page and intrigued by a brief synopsis. I was not disappointed. The quirky tale of Minty, returning home, complete with twins and two 'Dulux' dogs, to look after struggling parents includes mystery, jeopardy , romance and comedy. The characters are beautifully drawn, making you want to journey with them. This book does not neatly fit a particular genre, but will be appreciated by those with a sense of humour who like a light-hearted read.

Funny, engaging, and original. I loved this story and found myself thinking about it during the day. A great escapist read for Autumn 24.

This book was so funny. There were so many disasters and you could almost anticipate them happening. I could really relate to Minty as a mum, trying to juggle everything, parenting, parents, dogs, finding a job, relationships.
Definitely worth a read, if you want something light hearted and something to make you smile.
Can't wait to see what Holly writes next.

2.5 rounded down. I have so much respect for self published authors! I think that this book could be someone's cup of tea, but it just wasn't mine. This was supposed to be a funny mystery, but the humor just didn't land for me. As a school psychologist, the leisure-ness of a mother leaving her children potentially parentless and her relaxedness about all of it made me want to call Department of Homeland Security on her. Those kids ACE scores have got to be through the roof. I was also confused about the random gibberish used? Trumpers Pumpers and (spanish) Espinacas words used in place of others gave millennial quirky humor that I though distracted from the story.

The storyline was good! I found myself wondering how it would end. Quinn was a little aggressive and it just didnt match the storyline for me. The police evasion alone reminded me that I couldn't try to set this book in reality because there's not way someone can avoid the police so many times. Made me take a step back and not be so critical of how realistic this story is, because it didn't promise to be.

Things happened really fast, which I normally love, but it felt like some of it was rushed. nevertheless, I couldn't write anything better so my criticality is also acknowledging how hard it is to self publish. I've seen that other reviewers have enjoyed this, so I wouldn't write it off just because I didn't love it.

I also don't think this had enough romance in it to put it in the romance category.

Thank you NetGalley and Front Recruitment Publishing for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review. This was a fun, lighthearted book and I did enjoy it.

"Love Painted in Lies: A Maida Vale Tale" by Holly Denham is a compelling and intricately woven story that explores the darker side of love, secrets, and deception in the elegant backdrop of Maida Vale. Denham’s writing is both evocative and suspenseful, pulling readers into a world where appearances can be deceiving and everyone has something to hide. The characters are richly developed, each one harboring their own secrets that slowly unravel as the plot thickens. The novel skillfully blends elements of romance, mystery, and psychological drama, keeping readers on edge as the truth behind the lies is gradually revealed. "Love Painted in Lies" is a captivating read for those who enjoy stories filled with twists, complex characters, and an undercurrent of intrigue that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Minty is a single mum to twins who has returned to her parent's home in order to care for them. She is a metal artist, specialising in reusing objects, and welding them together to make new objects, to neighbour's disbelief and annoyance.
This over the top story is a light relief and provides laughs although I felt a bit fsr fetched at times. It'll while away your pool or beach time or a rainy day quite well.

First of all thanks to Holly for asking me to review this fun read .

to say i liked this book would be lying i LOVED it !! there were plenty of laugh out loud moments I thought the plot was so much fun i mean come on romance mixed in with family drama the best heist it was so funny what more can you want from a Rom-Com .

i thought every character was so quirky that I loved most of the main character Minty was wonderful she was feisty ,witty and full of sass. she was ready to take on the world .

i thought holly writing was wonderful and very well paced , she had me thinking a lot with little plot twists which i very much enjoyed and she made she there was plenty of action so pretty fasted paced .

To think if you love a Rom-Com with a bit of spice/ romance , sass and plenty of humour.


im giving this book 4 bright stars

5 out of 5 to the cover of the book all the way to the plot of the book !!

Amazing and fantastic 💖💖

Thank you for the opportunity

“Develop your own style, and don’t be afraid to go for it.”

Minty has returned to Maida Vale for a fresh start even though her life is shadowed by whispers of a family art forgery ring that once duped the London elite. But the watchful eyes of the law linger on Minty, convinced she is back to unearth a treasure trove of truths about a legendary missing painting. While navigating the chaos of raising twins, caring for her parents, and juggling her turbulent world with the possibility of romance, Minty’s life is a comical collision of art and reality.

Love Painted in Lies is a blend of mystery and humour. I loved how relatable Minty is as a woman juggling different roles as she strives to find balance in her crazy life. When love comes knocking, she must choose how much of this madness is safe to reveal before he decides to run.

The part about her evolution into a con is revealed gradually through flashbacks. This adds an exciting mystery to the plot with twists that can give some of the best suspense-thrillers a run for their money.

The essence of the story comes from Minty’s life at home and her relationship with her parents, children, and siblings. The everyday mayhem not only creates some uniquely hilarious situations but also makes you empathise with the characters and their struggles.

Drama, desire, and disaster join hands in this story that’s great as a holiday read, a pick-me-up, or as your companion for a lazy weekend. Nothing can hold you back from devouring it once you sink your teeth in.

This ARC courtesy of @netgalley and Front Recruitment Publishing.

Totally madcap. Minty has a chaotic lifestyle bringing up twins after the death of their father a year ago. She has returned to Maida Vale to look after her aging and ailing parents. Minty is an artist currently working in metal sculpture, who is an expert painting copier. Now everyone from the police, CIA, MI5, Russian Oligarchs and Glaswegian gangsters are after her thinking she is in possession of a famous painting. Minty's life is anything but dull. Absolute chaos. #lovepaintedinlies #netgalley #amaidavaletale

Bulbous and funny. Thoroughly enjoyed meeting Minty for the first time. Digging out previous books by Holly as it was a very funny read. Recommend.

Love Painted in Lies is a laugh-out-loud feel-good British romantic comedy. Minty's return to Maida Vale isn't just about the chaos of raising twins, Old English Sheepdog shenanigans, school runs, and caring for her parents. Her life is shadowed by whispers of her involvement in a family art forgery ring that once duped the London elite. The watchful eyes of the law linger on Minty; they're convinced she’s back to unearth a treasure trove of truths about a legendary missing painting. Minty must prove her new life is a genuine fresh start. But does she know more than she's revealing, or is her return an honest attempt to repaint her life’s canvas? Amidst it all, a mysterious stranger strolls into her already turbulent world, bringing a hint of intrigue and the possibility of romance. Is he a brushstroke of fate or a shadow from her past? With gangsters on her heels and love at her door, Minty's journey is a hilarious adventure, where art and reality comically collide in Maida Vale.Holly Denham, known for her heart-warming romantic comedies, is back after fifteen years. Her first two books were loved worldwide and translated into six languages. Now, Holly returns with a new, laugh-filled love story that's sure to capture hearts again. Get ready to turn your phone to silent, with the kettle on, and settle down for a page-turning read, because the fun is about to being again..

Words cannot express how much this book has helped me through some trying times. This is the perfect escape from reality. Cannot wait to read more from the author.

A very different, riveting and at times exasperating in a good way book.
A whole world painted in lies or maybe just little white lies.... ?
Some crimes in this story are way worse than others

Love Painted in Lies: A Maida Vale Tale by Holly Denham is a fantastically hilarious rom-com. I am not normally a fan of the genre, but when a novel bucks the usual tropes, adds in an art heist and comical villainy, eccentric fmc's and relatable family life, then it is a winner for me. (and I was not disappointed!)

Minty is a bean and I want to give her the biggest hug. Yes she may be quirky and feisty, but truthfully, I wanted to give her a hug. Minty's life goes from dealing with aging parents, chaotic home life and maybe a lil bit of wit woo on the horizon wih a new love, to a rampaging heist

What's not to love?

Thank you to NetGalley, Front Recruitment Publishing and the author Holly Denham for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

I love a funny book and Love Painted in Lies: A Maida Vale Tale lives up to that. It took me a good third of the book to actually get into the story but it was worth preserving. One of the real strengths of this book was the portrayal and development of Minty's relationships with various family members. These added a real poignancy to the work as a whole. A lovely summer read which I really enjoyed!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while to get into this one. I am not exactly sure why but it took me a bit to warm up to the characters. Once I did though, it was easy to settle in to this cute cozy quirky rom-com novel.

The story is told in past and present by Minty, a single mom trying to keep it all together. While I appreciate the humour being woven into her character, sometimes it came across as cringe-worthy and I felt embarassed for her lol I did have some laugh out loud moments though which is always great.

It does have a unique plot with Minty being an art forger. Her past is catching up to her present and Can't say I read many books about this type of profession. The book does feel a little bit all over the place but maybe it is to add extra dimension to Minty's character because she herself is all over the place lol

Overall, okay. It's a light read, slow start but once you get into it, has its humourous moments.

Love Painted in Lies is a delightful follow-up to Holly's Inbox, blending humor with a more mature look at life, love, and the chaos of parenthood. While it's unmistakably the same author, it showcases a growth in depth and relatability.

Minty, the protagonist, resonates strongly with readers, especially those who have experienced loss and the trials of managing a bustling household. Her journey through daily struggles, aging parents, and the possibility of new love is both inspiring and engaging.

The novel's blend of over-the-top antics, from gangsters to art heists, adds a fun, escapist quality. Minty's adventures and her attempts to prove she's changed are both entertaining and relatable, reflecting the often absurd reality of motherhood. Overall, this book offers a perfect mix of humor and heart, making it a gratifying read for anyone who's navigated life's ups and downs.

A thoroughly enjoyable read by Holly Denham about the life of Minty. She is an eccentric woman, recently widowed, who has returned to live in Maida with her twins and is caring for her aging parents (her mother with increasingly worsening dementia). If that were not enough to get on with, she also has to deal with a whole host of problems with the criminal underworld in the art industry, school admissions based on Church attendance, bullying and who is wearing the latest fashions and whether or not she should be dating again! Phew! Minty has a lot on her plate! She deals with it remarkably and with great humour. She's a fabulous character.
I loved this light and humorous book and they way Holly dealt with the more serious competing issues such as caring for aging, unwell parents as well as children.
An excellent, romantic com written by a great author.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.