📖 Overview
"Liar!" marks Fern Michaels' latest foray into romantic suspense, blending her signature family dynamics with paranormal elements. The story centers on Luna Bodman, who works alongside her brother Cullen in their furniture restoration business. Luna possesses an unusual gift—the ability to sense vibrations and histories from antique pieces—but when a mysterious armoire arrives at their shop, it triggers an overwhelming psychic response that sets both siblings on a dangerous path.
Michaels weaves together romance, mystery, and supernatural intrigue as Luna's abilities become central to uncovering secrets buried within the antique furniture trade. The restoration business serves as more than mere backdrop; it becomes a character in its own right, with each piece of furniture carrying stories that Luna must decode. While the novel delivers the author's trademark blend of family loyalty and romantic tension, it ventures into darker territory than some of her previous work, exploring how the past refuses to stay buried and how family bonds can both protect and endanger those we love.
👀 Reviews
"Liar!" is the third installment in Fern Michaels' Lost and Found series, featuring furniture restorers Luna and Cullen who solve mysteries. Reader opinions split sharply on this predictable mystery that takes its time getting started.
Liked:
- Luna and Cullen remain engaging, likeable characters worth following
- Works as standalone despite being part of series
- Quick, easy escape read for light entertainment
- Interesting premise with "Help me" message carved in armoire
Disliked:
- First third drags with excessive backstory before main characters appear
- Mystery solution becomes obvious early, removing suspense
- Condescending tone with unnecessary explanations and brand name dropping
- Writing feels padded with irrelevant details that slow pacing
While longtime Michaels fans appreciate the familiar characters, many found this entry lackluster compared to earlier books in the series. The predictable plot and sluggish opening may disappoint readers seeking the author's usual standards.
📚 Similar books
Looking at readers who enjoyed Fern Michaels' "Liar!" - a contemporary women's fiction novel with romance, family drama, and themes of deception and redemption - here are similar books they would likely appreciate:
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich - Features a strong female protagonist navigating complicated relationships and dangerous situations with humor and determination, much like Michaels' heroines.
Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton - Combines mystery with warm community relationships and family secrets, offering the same blend of intrigue and emotional depth that Michaels delivers.
Loves Music, Loves to Dance by Mary Higgins Clark - Explores themes of trust, betrayal, and women supporting each other through crisis, with the same page-turning quality and focus on female friendships.
Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie - Balances romance with suspense while featuring a capable heroine who must navigate deception and find her own strength, mirroring Michaels' empowering character arcs.
Dead Ex by Harley Jane Kozak - Combines relationship drama with mystery elements and dark humor, appealing to readers who enjoy Michaels' blend of serious themes with lighter moments.
Bubbles Unbound by Sarah Strohmeyer - Features a working-class heroine reinventing herself while uncovering secrets, offering the same themes of personal transformation and female empowerment.
Dream Man by Linda Howard - Delivers intense romance with psychological suspense and a focus on healing from past trauma, resonating with readers who appreciate Michaels' emotional depth.
The House on Tradd Street by Karen White - Weaves together family secrets, romance, and personal growth with a Southern Gothic atmosphere that complements Michaels' exploration of hidden truths and redemption.
🤔 Interesting facts
• The antique restoration setting reflects a growing trend in cozy mysteries and romantic suspense toward artisan and craft-based businesses as story backdrops.
• With a 4.12 Goodreads rating from over 5,000 readers, the book has resonated well with Michaels' established fanbase while attracting new readers interested in paranormal romance.