Lies and Other Acts of Love

By: Kristy Woodson Harvey

Narrated by: Janet Metzger

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

From the next "major voice in Southern fiction" (New York Times best-selling author Elin Hilderbrand) comes a new novel about what it really means to tell the truth....

After 60 years of marriage and five daughters, Lynn "Lovey" White knows that all of us, from time to time, need to use our little white lies. Her granddaughter Annabelle, on the other hand, is as truthful as they come. She always does the right thing - that is until she dumps her hedge fund manager fiance and marries a musician she has known for three days. After all, her grandparents, who fell in love at first sight, have shared a lifetime of happiness, even through her grandfather's declining health.

But when Annabelle's world starts to collapse around her, she discovers nothing about her picture-perfect family is as it seems. And Lovey has to decide whether one more lie will make or break the ones she loves....

©2016 Kristy Woodson Harvey (P)2018 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A touching look into the lifetimes of love, heartbreak, and resilience of a grandmother and her granddaughter...a feel-good must read that is sure to remind you of the cherished memories and relationships in your own life." (Deep South Magazine)

Great book

loved this book. really captivating. the author makes you actually feel whilst listening.Definitely recommend this

What we hide helps us to grow

This is an interesting perspective: how a Southern matriarch and her granddaughter navigate their love lives and learn to keep things to themselves that would change the lives of the many people they love. The focus is mostly on the granddaughter's progress through early adulthood and the reader wants to warn her about steps she is about to take.

My main complaint about this book is the on-and-on wordy sequences of the inner thoughts of the grandmother and granddaughter. In other words, too many words.

The narration is too level-voiced and constant- no rhythm that occasional tiny pauses would bring. It seemed like listening to a run-on sentence.

boring

took me forever to finish. too much romance, I was interested in the family secret but that played a minor role to a debutante swooning over loser

Light, pleasant listening

Other reviewers have faulted this book for its portrayal of women. However I think if one considers generations and geography, it makes a little more sense. These are women of the south, most of them older, part of generations when finding the right man had everything to do with expecting a good future and a happy family. Annabel is definitely an impulsive young woman but I still found her likable. It’s not a book about careers or achievements.It’s about love stories. If you enjoy those kinds of books you’ll enjoy this. Having never had a sister or female cousins, I enjoyed getting lost in the sisters, female relationships, and the family!

Mildly religious but life affirming

Toy wouldn't think that a story about a young woman who is married or involved with 3 men in serial relationships, could get a "G" rating, but this book can. Touching, family oriented Annabelle's struggle is told against the backdrop of her interesting Southern relatives who teach us that no over is perfect but there is good in almost everyone we meet.

Wait until the VERY end

I kept thinking I missed something, would relisten to sections. Story unfolds at very end.

Slow Build but oh what a story!

Very well written! Highly recommend for Romance Lovers! Will listen to all I can find by Kristy Woodson Harvey!

Perfect end of the day read

I needed a good escape this book did the job. I really enjoyed both out looks and it really was a great story.

sweet southern book

this book was very sweet, the narrator was awesome, and it is well worth your money and time :)

Slow start, but I really enjoyed it

It took a few chapters to pick up on all of the characters. But the secrets and bonds over the generations were intriguing. The strength and love portrayed by these 3 generations of women made it such a good read.

I loved the southern accents of the narrator. She did an excellent job portraying all of the characters.