Would I Lie to You

by Sheila Norton

Beth Marston never imagined she’d be in this position as she approached her thirtieth birthday: on her own with a four-year-old daughter, working as a cleaner in other people’s houses. What happened to the dreams she shared with Daniel, the love of her life, when they were at university together with the world at their feet? Come to that, what happened to Daniel, to make him fall out of love with her and leave her for another woman?
Beth is sure she’s never going to trust another man. Her child, and her best friend Fay, are all she needs now. Besides, she has enough on her plate trying to make ends meet, and getting perhaps a little too involved with the lives of the people whose homes she cleans.
But when she falls out with Fay, everything suddenly seems to come crashing down. And if someone really wonderful came into her life now, to make it all better, would Beth really be able to resist?

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

414 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Winner of the RoNAs 'Christmas and Winter Seasonal Award' novel, 2022, with 'Winter at Cliff's End Cottage'.

I live in Chelmsford, UK, with my husband Alan. We have three married daughters and six grandchildren. I've been writing ever since I was a little girl, and finally achieved my lifelong ambition to have a novel published, with the acceptance in 2002 of 'The Trouble With Ally'. Prior to this, I'd been having short stories published in women's magazines for about ten years.

My most recent books are stories set in the English county of Devon, and most include pets in the story! They are feel-good contemporary fiction.

I worked for most of my life as a medical secretary. I now write full-time. I like to relax by reading, walking,swimming, and seeing my family and friends.

I am passionate about my writing and love to hear from my readers. I am also happy to give talks to writers' groups and others, and book signings, in my local area.

Reviews

[Krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a 2.5 since it was good but not great. I didn't hate it, but I wasn't hooked. At one point I just wanted it to be over and I kept searching for the big plot that I never found...

[Dave Dippenaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engrossing read of a woman's thoughts and struggles through her life. She doesn't take for granted what she has, since she sees the turmoil of the wealthy people who she works for and what that wealth takes to obtain.

Well written, easy to read and insightful into the mind of a woman. I enjoyed this book, and thought it better than books that are rated far higher by critics.

[Julie Makin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good chick lit light read. Enjoyable and relatable.

[Mary Pessaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beth, the main character's, voice was very clear -- and funny. I liked how she was willing to tell the truth about her shortcomings -- while lying to other characters in the book. The voices of the children in the book were believable for their ages, not always easy to achieve. The author had enough twists in Beth's love life to keep us guessing and intrigued. I try to read story lines without judging the actions of the characters. Not always possible. Sometimes their actions are necessary to advance the story line. The one point that I had to contend, to me a major failing in Beth's character, was that she didn't demand more from the father of her child. Not in the form of money, but in time. I had difficulty believing that any woman with a young child would not put the needs of the child before her own anger. I hoped that that author would resolve it by the end of the book, but she left it open, with only one line that indicated he might see Ellie again. But overall, a fun read. Some good laughs and some great romance.

[Rebecca]

single mother is a cleaning lady to take care of her daughter before she goes to elementry school full time. her best friend, who on the surface has the perfect marriage, but she is cheating on her husband and the girl is pissed when she finds out. she also is getting low on funds. i would think the girl is pissed at the best friend for cheating because that is the same way her marriage ended as well, but they never say that in the book (ohmigod, is that supposed to be something your supposed to read into and figure out yourself? holycrap, i did it!) i forget who the girl ends up with and i can't get any clues from amazon on AKL library website. that is how much of an impact this book had on me. but i remember, it wasn't that bad!

[Lynn Mathieu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Newly divorced single mom,just trying to make it day by day and of course,the father is no where to be seen and never pays for child support.She takes up more cleaning jobs just to pay for some food,gets harassed n fired by one of her employers(weird she never presses charges)finds out her ex is sitting pretty,being taken care of and I am surprised she did not flip out on him like she did on the other guy.She is also way too giving and helps alot of people,but she did get some small help in return by helping the rich family,her daughter got a nice new wardrobe.I say it dragged out,but an ok book.

[Kerry Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book. There were a few amusing moments but on the whole I didn't like either of the two female lead characters, Beth and Fay, they really didn't have any redeeming qualities about them and Beth's daughter Ellie was a little shit. I doubt I'd read this author again after this book.

[Jb62 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this titled as "would I lie to you?" I like the book but found myself frustrated somewhat with the main character, Beth. She seemed to blame others for things rather than look at herself. Like the humour.

[Sherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quirky--- Very Very Quirky.

[Mrsstuds · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slow starter that's keeping me guessing about where this woman's life will take her. An okay chic lit book.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost didn't finish this one. I started it about 3 weeks ago, couldn't get into it so I read something else. I decided I give it another go and to my surprise ended up liking it.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad summer read, I just found myself getting upset over some of the story line. Caring too much