A Woman Without Lies (26 in 2026 #6)

Author: Elizabeth Lowell Title: A Woman Without Lies Publisher: Avon Date Published: 01/02/1985

Read Dates: 03/16/2026- 03/17/2026
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

A Woman Without Lies is a multi POV contemporary romance. Angelina (Angel), an artist who works with stained glass, gets a mysterious call from a man named Miles Hawkins (Hawk), letting her know that the one person she loves most in the world needs her help. She drops everything to return home, and the cynical Hawk distrusts the sincerity of her love and devotion to her friend Derry, a young man who needs Hawk to buy his family's land in order to pursue his dreams of becoming a surgeon. Hawk doesn't believe Angel could be acting out of the goodness of her heart, and assumes the worst of her motivations, but time spent together over the summer allows them to see each other in a new light.

I have really loved some of Elizabeth Lowell's historical romances, but while this one was well written, the story itself didn't work for me. Angel declares herself in love with Hawk for no discernible reason; he is nothing but mocking and cruel to her, and is, in general, an ass to everyone else he interacts with, too, so there is no secret, softer side that she is drawn to. Hawk is a misogynist who hates all women, and while he comes to think differently about Angel, it is still presented as if she is some magical exception to his rule. At the end, it still reads like he's a misogynist, but one who is willing to be nice to one woman only. I still love the other books I have read by this author, but this one was a miss. Three stars because the writing itself was good.

A WOMAN WITHOUT LIES

An artist in glass and light, Angel once loved with sweetness and fire. Then she learned the pain of irretrievable loss --- the sad and sudden permanence of death.

A MAN WITHOUT TRUST

Miles Hawkins has known only hatred and betrayal from women. Scarred and embittered, Hawk became a solitary distant man --- vowing never to let himself trust a woman again.

A PASSION WITHOUT LIMITS

When Angel and Hawk first meet, they misjudge and hurt each other badly. But Angel is willing to risk what proud, silent Hawk cannot. Gently she brings truth and love to a tormented soul who believes in neither ... though she fears in her heart that, by loving Hawk, she will surely lose him.