Book Description:
A poignant and relatable novel, Looking Glass Lies captures the war women wage against themselves, and the struggle to see beauty reflected in a mirror not distorted by society’s unrelenting expectations.
For most of her adult life, Cecily Ross has compared herself to other women—and come up short. After a painful divorce from her emotionally abusive husband, Cecily returns to her hometown of Canyon, Texas, looking to heal.
But coming home isn’t what she expects. In a town as small as Canyon, her pain is difficult to escape—especially with her model-perfect ex–sister-in-law working at the town’s popular coffee-shop hangout. With help from her father, a support group, and an old friend who guides her to see her own strengths, Cecily may have a shot at overcoming her insecurities and learning to love again.
The true test comes when tragedy strikes, opening Cecily’s eyes to the harmfulness of her distorted views on beauty—and giving her the perfect opportunity to find peace at last.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
Wow. That’s what I thought when I finished reading, and I read the book fast, within twenty-four hours. I’ve been a fan of Varina Denman’s writing since I read her debut novel, Jaded, and Looking Glass Lies didn’t disappoint.
The story opens with a prologue. We meet Cecily Ross when she’s curled up in the back of her closet in her LA home, hiding away from the world and her emotionally abusive husband. Brett is addicted to porn and has shattered Cecily completely by wanting a divorce.
Fast forward eleven months and Cecily has returned to her home town of Canyon, Texas. She stays in her childhood home with her dad who’s a widower and park ranger. Her father is worried about her and he asks the local therapist, Doctor Graham Harper, to call her.
Graham had a secret crush on Cecily in high school when she was dating her future husband, Brett Ross. Graham has overcome his teenage drug addiction and has a busy practice in town. He offers Cecily a receptionist job. Instead of providing counselling, he sets Cecily up in a women’s support group with married mom of four Shanty and college student Nina.
Cecily meets with Shanty and Nina at Midnight Oil, the local coffee shop owned by celebrity sports star Michael Divins. Cecily struggles to deal with her gorgeous and perfect looking ex-sister-in-law, Mirinda, who works at the cafe and is dating Michael.
Cecily learns that to become emotionally healthy she needs to confront and deal with issues from her past. Secrets are revealed that rock the small community of Canyon and challenge them to face the lies they believe. Body image issues are a core theme in the story, plus the devastating effects of porn addiction and other emotional issues.
The characters are realistic and they deal with real world problems in the story. Edgy issues that may be uncomfortable for some readers are addressed, and the story has a Christian worldview with only a few references to faith.
The sweet romance between Cecily and Graham is complicated. A hero who’s a therapist will, by definition, be cautious in his personal life. Cecily and Graham develop a friendship that is challenged by the events in the story.
I highly recommend Looking Glass Lies to readers who enjoy edgy and realistic Christian romance stories that deal with tough issues.
Looking Glass Lies releases on May 2, 2017. It’s available for pre-order in print and on Kindle, and will be available in Kindle Unlimited.
Many thanks to Waterfall Press and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
Varina has kindly provided a Kindle ebook giveaway for a reader who leaves a comment on this post. The winner will be announced in the Sunday Edition on April 30, 2017.
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
Thanks for the recommendation, Narelle! You had me at the prologue. I’m heading over to Amazon now…thanks!
Hi Narelle, thanks for the review- I have not read any of Varina’s books. Love the name of the coffee shop Midnight Oil!!
Blessings:)
This sounds great! Thanks for the heads-up!
Thank you for the recommendation. Sounds like an important read.
Narelle,
Thanks for introducing me to this author.
This book sounds really interesting and relative to today’s challenges and issues. I work with women and have daughters who have self-esteem issues and I know how devastating it can be.
I look forward to reading it.
Thanks!
Thanks for the review of a new-to-me author’s book, Narelle!
Sounds like a really good book to add. Thanks for sharing otherwise I wouldn’t have known about it.
I’ve read a book of hers and enjoyed it. This one is one I’d love to read. I’ve struggled with my own securities over the years and have just now begun to accept myself warts and all as God made me!
tumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Jill, The prologue is very powerful and sets up the story. Writers often debate the value of including prologues, and Looking Glass Lies is a great example of a prologue that’s essential to the story. Enjoy. :)
Hi Wemble, yes, I loved the Midnight Oil name, too. It’s not a reference to our iconic Aussie rock band, but I was hearing their music in the background as I read the first scene in the cafe, lol. :)
Hi Sherri. you’re very welcome, and I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read the book. :)
Hi Sara, yes, the story is realistic in the way it addresses social issues. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read it. :)
Hi Marylin, you’re very welcome. :) I found the book very insightful in terms of understanding a number of self-esteem issues and the reasons for why people may self-harm. I hope you’ll have a chance to read the book.
Hi Valerie, you’re very welcome. :)
Hi Colleen, I’m happy to share Varina’s book with new readers, and I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Looking Glass Lies. :)
Hi Gail, I hope you’ll have a chance to read Looking Glass Lies, and enjoy the story. :)
I love the mended hearts series & would love to read this as well!
Hi Susanne, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Varina’s new book. :)
I haven’t read any of Varina’s books before, but this one sounds interesting. I like reading light and funny stories a lot but I enjoy reading stories that are edgier too.