Actress Amelia Grant needs a career (and life) boost which is the perfect time for her to get the role of Gloria Diamond, the most famous romance writer (and her mom's favorite writer) in her biopic. Before filming begins, Amelia stays at Gloria's house to try and get to know her on a deeper level and learn about Gloria's perfect marriage that her books are based on. Unfortunately, Gloria is rude and completely unhelpful in sharing any of her personality or life with Amelia, fortunately her handsome son Will is much more forthcoming. As the two dig into Gloria's past they realize that it is not all what it seems and it may be risky to uncover the whole truth.

I really enjoyed this one, a bit more than the last one I read from the author (even though the last was a retelling of one of my favorite novels, Rebecca). I connected to these characters more and really wanted to know how the story would unfold. The novel is told in two time periods and through a few POVs and I think it worked really well. I did figure out the twist (it wasn't hard) but I still wanted to finish and see how the characters progressed in their discovery.

Thank you to Park Row and NetGalley for the ARC to review

This is a beautiful story of friendships, mothers and daughters, and most of all love!!!!!!!!!! It is definitely one for the ages and one that you will fall in love with as I did.

Jillian Cantor delivers an enthralling and thought-provoking novel in The Greatest Lie of All, seamlessly blending historical intrigue with an emotionally resonant narrative. This story masterfully explores themes of deception, ambition, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.

The characters are richly drawn, particularly the protagonist, whose internal struggles and determination create a compelling and relatable journey. Cantor’s prose is elegant yet accessible, and her meticulous attention to historical detail adds depth and authenticity to the setting.

The plot is intricately crafted, with twists that kept me guessing until the very end. Cantor skillfully balances suspense with emotional depth, making this a book that is as gripping as it is moving.

I highly recommend The Greatest Lie of All to fans of historical fiction and literary thrillers. It’s a testament to Jillian Cantor’s storytelling prowess, and I’m eagerly looking forward to her next work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this exceptional novel.

Thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and the author for a free eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Amelia Grant is offered the opportunity of a lifetime that will see her starring in a biopic about the popular romance author Gloria Diamond. To prepare for the role, she spends a week with Gloria at her secluded Washington home. When Amelia stumbles upon a secret from Gloria’s past, she realizes Gloria’s life story in her novel may not be as true as Gloria tried to sell it. Amelia then has to decide how to deal with what she discovers, both from a professional and a personal life perspective.

I was expecting more from this novel but was left disappointed. The novel alternates perspectives - between Amelia, Mare (Gloria's real name) and one or two other characters. While I liked Mare's chapters more, I disliked Gloria as a character towards the end of the novel as some communication and maturity on her part would have resolved a lot of the issues. This really affected my enjoyment of the novel as it made Gloria seem very one-dimensional. The "twists" were also very predictable.

While the novel is an easy and quick read, it felt very surface-level to me which resulted in me not enjoying the book as much.

This is a really appealing novel. The story is engaging and the characters are interesting. It has a lot of exciting twists and turns and is not too predictable Plus, it has a mostly satisfying ending where everything that has come before makes sense which is not always the case. There is also some bittersweet romance and some touching moments of friendship including a very sweet friendship between two young children. The story reminds us of how fragile life is and how everything can change in an instant and thus, how important it is to appreciate what we have when we have it.

I will say I enjoyed watching this whole story unfold. I liked all the characters (yes, even Gloria), and I am a sucker for a dual-timeline story.

I also love a good mystery.

One question I'm anticipating is: This book is being compared to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo--is it like that novel? Well, not exactly. But in some ways it's similar in that there are so many secrets!

I wasn't sure this "greatest lie of all" would be a surprise, but it was. I had an inkling, but not the whole story. If you like to be surprised, this is a great novel to choose.

__

Thank you to the publisher and the author for an eARC of this novel for review. All thoughts are my own.

The Greatest Lie of All was an unexpected gem with a slow burn throughout that I really enjoyed. The characters were interesting and I couldn’t wait to learn more about them.

This story is told in alternating povs switching between the past and the present but was done in such a way that worked really well. The twist was unexpected yet I felt like I should have known a couple of chapters before.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.

The Greatest Lie of All was such an easy and quick read and so enjoyable. I find that Jillian Cantor just has such an ease as a writer, which is why I love reading her books. The plot behind The Greatest Lie of All was compelling - a method actress trying to get to know the famous romance author she will be playing in the author's biographical movie. That concept in and of itself would have drawn me in, but on top of that, there is mystery, murder, and romance...what more could you ask for?

I have enjoyed all of the author’s books. This story was compelling with interesting characters. There is a present day timeline with flashbacks to 30 years ago. Amelia, a young actress, has the opportunity to portray the famous romance novelist in a biopic movie.. Amelia uncovers secrets that lead her to question what is fact and what is fiction.

Many tell lies for many reasons in The Greatest Lie of All by Jillian Cantor. The chapters go between two timelines and the perspectives of two women. Layer by layer, the past is revealed and the connection between past and present comes to light. The mystery of the connection is an intriguing one to follow. I enjoyed the read but would have preferred a different ending more focused on who the rest of the story is about and how it's told.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024/12/the-greatest-lie-of-all.html

Reviewed for NetGalley and a publisher’s blog tour.

The Greatest Lie of All by Jillian Cantor is a fast-paced and engaging novel centered on aspiring actress Amelia, who lands a dream role portraying the enigmatic and highly successful romance author, Gloria Diamond.

The story alternates between past and present, slowly unraveling the blurred lines between fiction and reality. As Amelia delves into Gloria's life to prepare for the role, she encounters barriers at every turn, making her quest for authenticity both gripping and mysterious.

The book's pacing kept me interested, and while I had an inkling of what was coming, the twist still managed to surprise me, making the experience thoroughly enjoyable. My only wish was to see more of Will or gain insight into his perspective, as I felt his character had untapped potential.

Overall, this book is a captivating read, blending intrigue with an exploration of truth and identity. Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row for providing a copy of this book.

A multilayered, intriguing and well written story that mixes romance, mystery, fiction, and reflections.
I appreciated it as it kept me hooked and enjoyed it
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

After a breakup, Amelia Grant is on her way to the Estate of Gloria Diamond, the famous romance author. Amelia is an actress and she will be playing the character of Gloria in a movie based on her life. Amelia is excited as this could be her chance at making a comeback. When she arrives, she is met with an aloof Gloria who only agrees to meet with Amelia for one hour a day. How will she get ready in time?

As the days go by, Amelia meets an ally in Gloria’s son Will. Soon they start to uncover a secret Gloria has been keeping for years. This will soon shake everything Amelia knows. Will she still be able to portray Gloria after uncovering her secrets?

This was such an entertaining novel by Jillian Cantor. I thought it was just a nice romance novel, but boy I was wrong. It was a mystery and kept me guessing right until the end of the book. The characters were written with such depth that it was easy to get wrapped up into the novel. I also really liked how the story went back in time so I could dive into Gloria’s story. My sincere thanks to the author Jillian Cantor, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced readers copy which I read and reviewed voluntarily. If you are looking for a fabulous book with a touch of romance, a family full of secrets, then this is the book for you my friends.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin/HTP the Hive for the arc.

This was a fantastic novel that I would recommend to anyone who enjoyed The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book had everything. Drama, Mystery. Suspense. Romance, and more. I especially loved the mystery element of this book. I was honestly hooked from the very first page, and I just had to know how the story was going to end. I was actually surprised about how the book ended as well, as the ending was different than I predicted it to be....which I think is a good thing?!

Additionally if you enjoy audiobooks, you may want to check out the audiobook version of this book which is narrated by the fabulous Karissa Vacker and Cassandra Campbell!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HTP the Hive for the arc.

Jillian Cantor is a great writer and The Greatest Lie of All is an entertaining novel. The plot revolves around Amelia, a young actress who is trying to get her life back on track. Amelia's mother died suddenly and her long time boyfriend cheated on her. Amelia takes on the role of celebrated author. Gloria Diamond in a biopic. Amelia lives with Gloria for a few days to learn more about her, but Gloria is cagey and uncooperative.
Amelia finds holes in Gloria's life story that she doesn't understand. Fortunately Gloria's son steps in to help Amelia. The novel is suspenseful and Cantor's characters are interesting. This novel should definitely be added to your TBR list.

Actress Amelia Grant is offered the opportunity of a lifetime: to star in a biopic about the world-renowned romance author Gloria Diamond, who used her own tragic love story as inspiration for her bestselling books. To prepare for the role, she’ll spend a week with Gloria at her secluded Washington estate. Amelia is disheartened to discover that Gloria is cold, verging on rude and mostly unavailable. If not for Gloria’s handsome son Will, the visit might be a complete waste of her time. When Amelia stumbles upon a secret from Gloria’s past, she realizes Gloria’s life story is more fiction than fact. And as the movie’s filming date draws nearer, Amelia must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to uncover the truth.

This author's books are always hit or miss with miss with me, and this one was definitely a miss. I just could not get invested in any of of the characters and the book was a slow burn for the entire book. I am rounding this up to a 3, and hoping that I will enjoy her next book more fully.

Actress Amelia Grant has just lost her mother. After a 10-year relationship, she broke up with her actor boyfriend after she found him in bed with his co-star. Fortunately, she is offered the starring role in a film about the life of her late mother's favorite author, the Queen of Romance novels, Gloria Diamond. To prepare for the role, Amelia spends a few days at Gloria's Seattle home to gain insight and inspiration. The biopic focuses on Gloria's life with her husband George, who tragically died young. This loss of her great love became the basis of everything she would write about. When Amelia meets Gloria's son Will, a charming lawyer, a friendship develops, and it becomes apparent that the story Gloria has been telling of her life is more fiction than fact. There is a darker truth behind Mare, Gloria's real name, and Amelia is determined to uncover it.

Jillian Cantor's The Greatest Lie of All combines mystery, drama, and some romance. The chapters alternate between the present and the past, exploring Mare's college years and her early days of married life and motherhood. This fast-paced, well-written, juicy book is highly engaging. All wrapped up in a beautiful book cover. I found it thoroughly entertaining.

4.25 stars.

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Jillian Cantor for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The description intrigued me and to be honest the cover was different from many books I read.

Amelia loses her mom and her long time boyfriend and needs a change. A last minute leading role in a biopic is just what she needs. Until she meets Gloria Diamond and starts to realize there is more to her story than what has been told.

This book was interesting. There were a number of timelines, POVs and storylines going on between several points in the past, the present and researching the past.

This was a pro and con for me - every time there was momentum in a storyline, it would switch. It was a bit of a bummer but also difficult to not keep reading to get back to the other story line.

I cannot write a review without mentioning a parallel to Evelyn Hugo - there are differences of course and this book stands on its own two feet but there are similarities.

Its a little bit of everything...

Amelia is a wannabe startlet, was just cheated on by her boyfriend. She gets a plum part and for some reason is off to spend time with the real author, Gloria, whom she's playing. That's a very far stretch. Just saying. Gloria is not receptive and doesn't want Amelia there. Her son Will is pretty chill and the opposite of his prickly mother.
There's secrets and fabrications. Cuz, that's Hollywood, people. An illusion.

A quick paced, fascinating story with a touch of Hollywood glamour and lots of real life intrigue. The complications of love and friendship are highlighted. I love Jillian Cantor's writing style, and it's worked well in both her historical fiction and contemporary writing.