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All That Lies Within
How far would you go to hide who you really are inside? And what do you do when you find the one person from whom hiding your true self isn't an option? Glamorous movie star Dara Thomas has it all-an Oscar nomination, dozens of magazine covers proclaiming her the sexiest woman alive, and people of both sexes clamoring for her attention. She also has a carefully guarded secret life. As Constance Darrow, Dara writes Pulitzer Prize-winning fiction, an outlet that allows her to be so much more than just a pretty face. Rebecca Minton is a professor of American Literature in love with the work of the mysterious, reclusive author Constance Darrow, with whom she strikes up a correspondence. A chance phrase in a letter leads her to a startling conclusion about the author. What happens next will change the course of both of their lives forever.
302 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2013
38 people are currently reading
1129 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Ames
29 books286 followersLynn Ames is the best-selling author of sixteen books. She also is the writer/director/producer of the history-making documentary, “Extra Innings.” This historically important documentary chronicles, for the first time ever in her own words, the real-life story of Hall-of-Famer Dot Wilkinson and the heyday of women’s softball.
Lynn’s fiction has garnered her a multitude of awards and honors, including six Goldie awards, the coveted Ann Bannon Popular Fiction Award (for All That Lies Within), the Alice B. Medal for Lifetime Achievement, and the Arizona Book Award for Best Gay/Lesbian book. Lynn is a two-time Lambda Literary Award (Lammy) finalist, a Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award finalist, a Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards Honorable Mention winner, and winner of several Rainbow Reader Awards.
Ms. Ames is the founder of Phoenix Rising Press. She is also a former press secretary to the New York state senate minority leader and spokesperson for the nation’s third-largest prison system. For more than half a decade, she was an award-winning broadcast journalist. She has been editor of a critically acclaimed national magazine and a nationally recognized speaker and public relations professional with a particular expertise in image, crisis communications planning, and crisis management.
For additional information please visit her website at www.lynnames.com, or e-mail her at lynnamesauthor@gmail.com. You can also friend Lynn on Facebook and follow her on, YouTube, and Instagram.
Lynn’s fiction has garnered her a multitude of awards and honors, including six Goldie awards, the coveted Ann Bannon Popular Fiction Award (for All That Lies Within), the Alice B. Medal for Lifetime Achievement, and the Arizona Book Award for Best Gay/Lesbian book. Lynn is a two-time Lambda Literary Award (Lammy) finalist, a Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award finalist, a Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards Honorable Mention winner, and winner of several Rainbow Reader Awards.
Ms. Ames is the founder of Phoenix Rising Press. She is also a former press secretary to the New York state senate minority leader and spokesperson for the nation’s third-largest prison system. For more than half a decade, she was an award-winning broadcast journalist. She has been editor of a critically acclaimed national magazine and a nationally recognized speaker and public relations professional with a particular expertise in image, crisis communications planning, and crisis management.
For additional information please visit her website at www.lynnames.com, or e-mail her at lynnamesauthor@gmail.com. You can also friend Lynn on Facebook and follow her on, YouTube, and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
May 13, 2021
Love the narrator!
Can I talk about how much I love the narrator? Emily Beresford is amazing and I love the way she conveyed the poignant mood, emotional scenes and sappiness of the book. And I was entirely engaged because of her.
It’s a slow burn. The characters only exchanged a couple of letters and met for the first time somewhere in the middle. But I enjoyed every minute of it. I thought there was a good build up and we got to understand the characters better. Especially Dara, who beneath the façade of a glamorous movie star, lived a closely guarded secret life of being a Pulitzer-prize winning fiction author named Constance Darrow. Dara has a lot of layers and it took time, but it was gratifying to see these layers peeled back when she eventually let her guard down around Rebecca.
Rebecca is less complicated. She’s a Professor of American Literature, an expert in Constance Darrow’s work and the only one besides Dara’s best friend to see Dara for who she really is despite literally being a stranger.
When the characters did get together, the book gets sappy and once or twice, soap-opera dramatic. It wasn’t perfect but I was so immersed in Beresford’s voice, I really didn’t care. I wanted more. So hooray for Audible Plus!
Can I talk about how much I love the narrator? Emily Beresford is amazing and I love the way she conveyed the poignant mood, emotional scenes and sappiness of the book. And I was entirely engaged because of her.
It’s a slow burn. The characters only exchanged a couple of letters and met for the first time somewhere in the middle. But I enjoyed every minute of it. I thought there was a good build up and we got to understand the characters better. Especially Dara, who beneath the façade of a glamorous movie star, lived a closely guarded secret life of being a Pulitzer-prize winning fiction author named Constance Darrow. Dara has a lot of layers and it took time, but it was gratifying to see these layers peeled back when she eventually let her guard down around Rebecca.
Rebecca is less complicated. She’s a Professor of American Literature, an expert in Constance Darrow’s work and the only one besides Dara’s best friend to see Dara for who she really is despite literally being a stranger.
When the characters did get together, the book gets sappy and once or twice, soap-opera dramatic. It wasn’t perfect but I was so immersed in Beresford’s voice, I really didn’t care. I wanted more. So hooray for Audible Plus!
November 22, 2017
Reads like a badly written fan fiction - the writing doesn't flow well, flat characters, grand conclusions are drawn out of thin air, too many impossible coincidences and so on. Furthermore, the supernatural subplot is both overly simplistic and redundant, the book would be better without it.
I gave it the benefit of the doubt due to it's popularity but if anything it gets worse the further I read. Not worth my time or yours.
I gave it the benefit of the doubt due to it's popularity but if anything it gets worse the further I read. Not worth my time or yours.
January 26, 2015
All That Lies Within is a well-crafted love story which I picked up last year when it won a Goldie. I've put off reading it because I am not really into the whole Hollywood glamour world but I was curious to read something written by Ms. Ames. When the audiobook came out recently I jumped at the chance to read it with my ears.
We get to know in great detail the first leading lady, Dara Thomas, actress/ Constance Darrow, Pulitzer Prize winning author. She combines classic beauty with a great intellect and a troubled childhood. And she sees dead people. The second leading lady, Rebecca Minton is a professor of American Literature on a campus in Vermont. She is a highly regarded scholar on the works of the elusive writer, Constance Darrow. We learn less about her past but are drawn to this character by her genuine and sometimes over the top worship of the great author. A true fan girl.
When a movie based on the author's work and starring Dara Thomas flounders with a poorly written script you can surmise who is brought in to "doctor" the script.
The love story builds slowly, my favourite kind, but since I am neither a movie buff nor a paranormal fan, I spent more time eye rolling at the characters fairy tale present day lives than feeling sorry for their angst filled childhoods. I am sure this book will appeal to many readers. It was only an average read for me.
The audiobook was interesting. I listen to a lot of mainstream audiobooks. The voice actors who succeed are able to effectively differentiate their female and male characters by changing the register of their voice, adding accents etc. The challenge for a voice actor in a f/f novel is her ability to differentiate her two leading ladies. One character ends up with a higher register voice and the other gets a sultry, seductive voice. The challenge for the reader is not to peg the characters as femme/butch which was not this writers intention. The challenge for the voice actor is not to make the character with the higher voice come across as whiny or grating. It's an interesting challenge.
3.5 stars for a well written book that was too vanilla for this reader.
We get to know in great detail the first leading lady, Dara Thomas, actress/ Constance Darrow, Pulitzer Prize winning author. She combines classic beauty with a great intellect and a troubled childhood. And she sees dead people. The second leading lady, Rebecca Minton is a professor of American Literature on a campus in Vermont. She is a highly regarded scholar on the works of the elusive writer, Constance Darrow. We learn less about her past but are drawn to this character by her genuine and sometimes over the top worship of the great author. A true fan girl.
When a movie based on the author's work and starring Dara Thomas flounders with a poorly written script you can surmise who is brought in to "doctor" the script.
The love story builds slowly, my favourite kind, but since I am neither a movie buff nor a paranormal fan, I spent more time eye rolling at the characters fairy tale present day lives than feeling sorry for their angst filled childhoods. I am sure this book will appeal to many readers. It was only an average read for me.
The audiobook was interesting. I listen to a lot of mainstream audiobooks. The voice actors who succeed are able to effectively differentiate their female and male characters by changing the register of their voice, adding accents etc. The challenge for a voice actor in a f/f novel is her ability to differentiate her two leading ladies. One character ends up with a higher register voice and the other gets a sultry, seductive voice. The challenge for the reader is not to peg the characters as femme/butch which was not this writers intention. The challenge for the voice actor is not to make the character with the higher voice come across as whiny or grating. It's an interesting challenge.
3.5 stars for a well written book that was too vanilla for this reader.
did-not-finish
February 22, 2018I started and stopped this one quickly. Gobbled 16% of the book before I tossed it.
My problem with this book? Well, let me look at my status updates (oh, I know what my problem was, but let’s use what I’ve already wrote, if can): 15%: "Not sure why, but this book is irritating the hell out of me. The overly gorgeous actress who is tired of just being liked for her looks, and the overly gorgeous and bitter at her treatment in high school college professor who talks to herself don't help, but aren't the reason for the irritation."
So: Overly gorgeous and successful people who tired of their lives. Mmphs. One of whom could see dead people and angels. And wouldn’t fucking shut up about it. Ok, so you see dead people. So the bloody what? Bah.
Rating: --
February 22 2018
My problem with this book? Well, let me look at my status updates (oh, I know what my problem was, but let’s use what I’ve already wrote, if can): 15%: "Not sure why, but this book is irritating the hell out of me. The overly gorgeous actress who is tired of just being liked for her looks, and the overly gorgeous and bitter at her treatment in high school college professor who talks to herself don't help, but aren't the reason for the irritation."
So: Overly gorgeous and successful people who tired of their lives. Mmphs. One of whom could see dead people and angels. And wouldn’t fucking shut up about it. Ok, so you see dead people. So the bloody what? Bah.
Rating: --
February 22 2018
May 18, 2021
I listened to this on audiobook and have to say, it is undoubtedly the best way to experience this story. The narrator, Emily Beresford, is so good that I was over half way through before I twigged to how overwritten and overwrought it is. This should not be a surprise given the extreme wish-fulfillment of the setup, but there you go.
Dara Thomas is all the talents. Pulitzer Prize winning author. Acclaimed actress. And she has depth, too. Actually, Ames does a pretty good job conveying the kind of work that would have that kind of impact, now I consider that a bit. It sounded like exactly the kind of navel-gazing litfic stuff that I find dreary. Only, she presents it by giving highlights of the kind of discussions that happen around such a book through the other lead, Rebecca, who is a professor of American Literature somewhere sufficiently snooty. And I'm saying that as if my degree weren't in English Lit and I hadn't spent years having exactly those kinds of discussions. And enjoying them, too...
Anyway, I was engaged with the characters and liked them getting to know one another through letters discussing literature. It was interesting and that helped me get past the drama as it cropped up. I will say that Rebecca being such a sensitive soul wore thin in the establishment phase of their professional relationship. So many tears. Still, once given a bit of encouragement, I admired her go-get-em attitude and how she stood up for herself (and the integrity of the underlying story) so strongly. The story really couldn't have worked without her showing her teeth a bit because Dara is such a powerhouse character.
Anyway, I was engaged despite the hyper-drama and the really sappy dialogue that hits in the last quarter or so. I even liked and appreciated the supernatural thread that permeates the story in a matter-of-fact way. It's a bit fantastic (i.e. based in fantasy), but was the right level of pervasive without being intrusive. I particularly liked that it wasn't a vehicle for overcoming conflict through woo-woo, but rather a source of conflict on a faith/trust axis.
So this squeaks out 3½ stars that I'll round up because that narrator was so outstanding. Seriously, she had such conviction with these characters that I actually bought them as possible people.
A note about Steamy: There are explicit sex scenes enough to hit the middle of my steam tolerance, though only just. I think. I mean, I had a stressful weekend pause in the middle of my listening so I lost count and can't be more definitive.
Dara Thomas is all the talents. Pulitzer Prize winning author. Acclaimed actress. And she has depth, too. Actually, Ames does a pretty good job conveying the kind of work that would have that kind of impact, now I consider that a bit. It sounded like exactly the kind of navel-gazing litfic stuff that I find dreary. Only, she presents it by giving highlights of the kind of discussions that happen around such a book through the other lead, Rebecca, who is a professor of American Literature somewhere sufficiently snooty. And I'm saying that as if my degree weren't in English Lit and I hadn't spent years having exactly those kinds of discussions. And enjoying them, too...
Anyway, I was engaged with the characters and liked them getting to know one another through letters discussing literature. It was interesting and that helped me get past the drama as it cropped up. I will say that Rebecca being such a sensitive soul wore thin in the establishment phase of their professional relationship. So many tears. Still, once given a bit of encouragement, I admired her go-get-em attitude and how she stood up for herself (and the integrity of the underlying story) so strongly. The story really couldn't have worked without her showing her teeth a bit because Dara is such a powerhouse character.
Anyway, I was engaged despite the hyper-drama and the really sappy dialogue that hits in the last quarter or so. I even liked and appreciated the supernatural thread that permeates the story in a matter-of-fact way. It's a bit fantastic (i.e. based in fantasy), but was the right level of pervasive without being intrusive. I particularly liked that it wasn't a vehicle for overcoming conflict through woo-woo, but rather a source of conflict on a faith/trust axis.
So this squeaks out 3½ stars that I'll round up because that narrator was so outstanding. Seriously, she had such conviction with these characters that I actually bought them as possible people.
A note about Steamy: There are explicit sex scenes enough to hit the middle of my steam tolerance, though only just. I think. I mean, I had a stressful weekend pause in the middle of my listening so I lost count and can't be more definitive.
December 8, 2015
Back in the late 90s, when you met someone from the internet You’ve Got Mail-style (IE, you have no idea what the hell they look like and you’re standing awkwardly in front of a Starbucks with a rose in your hand) they never ended up looking like the person you envisioned in your head. In real life, we’re not always as fortunate as the main characters in this novel, who both took a gamble and hit the jackpot. Their story begins with exchanges of hand-written letters and gradually blossoms into an incredible romance. I really love the author’s imagination and how she brings the two lovers together in this book.
All That Lies Within isn’t a cookie-cutter lesbian romance novel. Reading the book jacket, you won’t expect a metaphysical element to the story, but there is one and it’s good! I’m sure it’s not easy for authors to incorporate metaphysics into their work without it sounding silly to some of the readers, but Lynn Ames does an awesome job.
As perfect of a package that is Dara, Rebecca is the one that shines the brightest in this novel. She was the vehicle that drove Dara’s dreams to life Homegirl is the ISH. Aerosmith should recreate their “Hole in My Soul” music video and have the cloning machine build Rebecca Minton. The characterization was stronger than the story, and since I’m a sucker for wonderfully fleshed-out characters, this is a solid 4.5 rating.
http://lesreadoutloud.com/2015/11/12/...
All That Lies Within isn’t a cookie-cutter lesbian romance novel. Reading the book jacket, you won’t expect a metaphysical element to the story, but there is one and it’s good! I’m sure it’s not easy for authors to incorporate metaphysics into their work without it sounding silly to some of the readers, but Lynn Ames does an awesome job.
As perfect of a package that is Dara, Rebecca is the one that shines the brightest in this novel. She was the vehicle that drove Dara’s dreams to life Homegirl is the ISH. Aerosmith should recreate their “Hole in My Soul” music video and have the cloning machine build Rebecca Minton. The characterization was stronger than the story, and since I’m a sucker for wonderfully fleshed-out characters, this is a solid 4.5 rating.
http://lesreadoutloud.com/2015/11/12/...
October 5, 2016
I'm on cloud nine. What a smart, witty, wonderfully romantic story. Please forgive me for sounding daft after finishing this delight at 8 in the morning.
The pairing of brilliant college professor + low-key genius starlet is executed originally and at a slow burn pace that made me want to physically book a flight for these characters. It's a good frustration, though. One that proves how much I cared from their very first correspondence.
Then, there's Rebecca Minton who's a big-brained cinnamon roll in the best way. Now, I must chalk her up as another lesfic crush because I couldn't get enough of her.
All That Lies Within teased my funny bone, too. Some of the most clever humor I've read to date. Smart ladies are so sexy.
At first, the paranormal angle made me squint. However, that didn't last for long, for it was worked well into the narrative. It adds something special to Dara's already glorious personality. I'm fully into the glitzy, feminine lifestyle of these characters and I'll miss them. Good thing they're only an app away.
The pairing of brilliant college professor + low-key genius starlet is executed originally and at a slow burn pace that made me want to physically book a flight for these characters. It's a good frustration, though. One that proves how much I cared from their very first correspondence.
Then, there's Rebecca Minton who's a big-brained cinnamon roll in the best way. Now, I must chalk her up as another lesfic crush because I couldn't get enough of her.
All That Lies Within teased my funny bone, too. Some of the most clever humor I've read to date. Smart ladies are so sexy.
At first, the paranormal angle made me squint. However, that didn't last for long, for it was worked well into the narrative. It adds something special to Dara's already glorious personality. I'm fully into the glitzy, feminine lifestyle of these characters and I'll miss them. Good thing they're only an app away.
June 15, 2018
The narrator made this audiobook just ok. Reading it is much better, if you can.
September 18, 2021
I’m kind of disappointed with this book after reading all these wonderful reviews. But I guess this one just didn’t click for me. Rebecca, one of the main characters, was so damn annoying and was always crying, and most of the times for no reason at all??? I mean, get a hold of yourself, woman lol
Anyways... I also didn’t feel any chemistry between the two mains and there was almost no interaction witnessed by the readers before they actually met, so I really couldn’t feel all the things they felt for one another after meeting each other. So the whole thing made no sense to me. I honestly wanted to stop listening to the audiobook and just move on because I really felt nothing, but I decided to keep on listening in the hopes it would get better, but it didn’t, at least not for me. Idk, maybe the narrator wasn’t the best for the job or I was just not in the mood for this book and therefore wasn’t able to enjoy it like everyone else did. I’m giving it 3 stars though, because I did enjoy the supernatural twist with the seeing ghosts and angels are real part, that was unexpected but very interesting and awesome.
Anyways... I also didn’t feel any chemistry between the two mains and there was almost no interaction witnessed by the readers before they actually met, so I really couldn’t feel all the things they felt for one another after meeting each other. So the whole thing made no sense to me. I honestly wanted to stop listening to the audiobook and just move on because I really felt nothing, but I decided to keep on listening in the hopes it would get better, but it didn’t, at least not for me. Idk, maybe the narrator wasn’t the best for the job or I was just not in the mood for this book and therefore wasn’t able to enjoy it like everyone else did. I’m giving it 3 stars though, because I did enjoy the supernatural twist with the seeing ghosts and angels are real part, that was unexpected but very interesting and awesome.
June 30, 2013
How nice to have a story that isn't girl meets girl, falls in love, angst, everything works out in the end. This is a story of two lonely women who let life get in the way of love. When they find each other those walls have to be broken down for love to find them. The author has found a fresh way of bring love into their lives.
November 5, 2019
The voice actress Emily Beresford does a fair to good narration of an absolutely brilliant novel. I could go on for days at how good it is, as it's my third time through it. Simply loved it.
edit: heh. Fourth time reading it now. GR missed one, pretty sure it was the audible version.
edit: heh. Fourth time reading it now. GR missed one, pretty sure it was the audible version.
June 25, 2020
I’m all for Hollywood romance. And ATLW did not disappoint me. I liked it and I enjoyed it and I adored both Dara and Rebecca - all of their vulnerability, intelligence and imperfections.
October 11, 2018
Total Class! Where has this Lynn Ames come from and why have none of you recommended her? Now, Georgia Beers, read this and see how an ending should be! Magnificent, what else has she written?
July 30, 2013
All That Lies Within by Lynn Ames is such a terrific novel! We're talking sigh-and cry-inducing, good old-fashioned romance. Plus, it has smarts and great chemistry.
Sure, it's sensual and romantic, but it's also incredibly endearing and adorable and I already want to read it again. Rebecca (whose sensitive personality sometimes doesn't jive with her more sharpened professional take on life) is an interesting enigma and a woman I can understand Dara Thomas helplessly falling in love with despite her reservations.
Both women are fascinating characters and it's interesting the way they come together. The letters they exchange once Rebecca seeks out Constance Darrow (Dara's very secret Pulitzer Prize-winning alter ego) are very insightful and a great set-up for all that follows.
Dara's initial standoffishness then incredible foray into desperately needing and inexplicably wanting to protect Rebecca is one of the sexiest things about All That Lies Within. _This_ is what good romance should aspire to, this is what makes a book so good you keep it on your Kindle so you can read it again as soon as you have the time.
The only downside to this book is the little longing it leaves behind in your heart, making you wish love like this could happen in real life!:)
Read
October 6, 2021While I like the character's in that they are both strong, and successful in their own rights, I never really got on board with this book. For me, Ames' writing was hard for me to follow. A bit much to keep straight, with the professor, the actress, the character's in the play, and then the seeing dead people didn't do it for me. Not to say that I don't find that as a good storyline, or that there aren't those out there with that gift, I just didn't like it in this book. It could be that I read this after "And Playing the Role of Herself" which is my favorite lesbian fiction book to date. This book just didn't flow for me.
June 19, 2020
5-
I couldn't put this book down...I loved it. The vulnerability of the two main characters Dara and Rebecca made this a very sweet read. I just wanted to hug them both. Good job Lynn Ames. I can't wait to read another of her books.
I couldn't put this book down...I loved it. The vulnerability of the two main characters Dara and Rebecca made this a very sweet read. I just wanted to hug them both. Good job Lynn Ames. I can't wait to read another of her books.
February 16, 2021
The first half of the book worked for me. The second half not so much. I was getting invested in how the story was developing and then Dara and Rebecca got together and it was just effusive and sappy.
December 17, 2015
I have a mixed feeling about this book. While the setting, the scenarios, and the storyline seemed to be on the right direction- I just can't seem to put my finger on the fact that it felt unsatisfying.
Despite the two main characters got a heartbroken relationship in their past, why is it that they fitted right in with one another? Why is it that everytimes the two main characters look into each other's eyes, they would immediately "know" that the other person is sincere? Why couldn't they able to do that in their past relationship?
As for the ghost thing, it really taken me by surprise. Regardless, I think it's a refreshing change of pace from time to time.
It's not just the ghost or angel or whatever that make this book seemed unrealistic for me. It is more because of the way Rebecca poured her heart out right at the timing that make her into a sincere person. How should I describe it- if only I am good with word, the concluded is that the whole story is too cheesy for my usual type of reading. I think this book is meant for a different kind of audiences- that is not me.
Despite the two main characters got a heartbroken relationship in their past, why is it that they fitted right in with one another? Why is it that everytimes the two main characters look into each other's eyes, they would immediately "know" that the other person is sincere? Why couldn't they able to do that in their past relationship?
As for the ghost thing, it really taken me by surprise. Regardless, I think it's a refreshing change of pace from time to time.
It's not just the ghost or angel or whatever that make this book seemed unrealistic for me. It is more because of the way Rebecca poured her heart out right at the timing that make her into a sincere person. How should I describe it- if only I am good with word, the concluded is that the whole story is too cheesy for my usual type of reading. I think this book is meant for a different kind of audiences- that is not me.
November 26, 2018
This is the first book I've read by Lynn Ames. It was very well written, and I am definitely going to read other books from her. But I won't be reading this one again. It is too much of a ghost story, with the main character talking to dead people. It also took a long time for the characters to actually meet. But both characters were very appealing and even though there were multiple story elements that didn't appeal to me, I had a hard time putting this down. The narration was excellent.
March 27, 2014
Wow, what a bunch of melodrama. I found very little to be enjoyable here, from the lack of any sort of physical description of the main characters other than "sexy" (and what does that even mean!?) to the whole "I see dead people" subplot that never goes anywhere or pays off in any way.
December 27, 2015
This is a very nice romance. I loved the characters and the story line. A very good and enjoyable read.
September 13, 2016
Great Novel to start my Lynn Ames Collection.
My Synopsis
Rebecca is Pulitzer Prize-winning Author, Constance Darrow’s biggest fan. She has started correspondence with the recluse Author discussing her novels and with every response becomes more interested in the real person behind Constance.
Dara Thomas is an Oscar nominee actress but she has a secret, she is moonlighting actually the Pulitzer Prize-winning Author, Constance Darrow. She has gone to great lengths to keep Constance’s true identity hidden, but when she starts corresponding with Rebecca she starts letting her guard down and could loose it all… if only she hadn’t started to fall for Rebecca.
My Review
A beautifully written book that had me engrossed from the beginning. This is the first book I’ve read by Lynn Ames and I only wish I had found her novels earlier.
It is a story of finding the courage to embrace who you are for the one you love. I hope Lynn Ames writes a sequel or a series to this novel because I feel there was more to their story after the book ended… I want more Rebecca and Dara.
4.5 Stars
My Synopsis
Rebecca is Pulitzer Prize-winning Author, Constance Darrow’s biggest fan. She has started correspondence with the recluse Author discussing her novels and with every response becomes more interested in the real person behind Constance.
Dara Thomas is an Oscar nominee actress but she has a secret, she is moonlighting actually the Pulitzer Prize-winning Author, Constance Darrow. She has gone to great lengths to keep Constance’s true identity hidden, but when she starts corresponding with Rebecca she starts letting her guard down and could loose it all… if only she hadn’t started to fall for Rebecca.
My Review
A beautifully written book that had me engrossed from the beginning. This is the first book I’ve read by Lynn Ames and I only wish I had found her novels earlier.
It is a story of finding the courage to embrace who you are for the one you love. I hope Lynn Ames writes a sequel or a series to this novel because I feel there was more to their story after the book ended… I want more Rebecca and Dara.
4.5 Stars
June 26, 2013
Adding paranormal elements in this romance is definitely a fresh approach and makes the book more enjoyable.
did-not-finish
March 31, 2022This was so cringeworthy, both due to the narrator and the storyline, that I had to unfortunately DNF at about the 40% mark. I'm really disappointed though as I had really high expectations for this book.
On to the next!
On to the next!
March 25, 2017
Heartwarming
A lovely read in which you get an excellent feel of the characters and all the nuances of their background that makes them who they are. I found the ending a little too saccharine for my palette but not enough to spoil my enjoyment if this novel.
A lovely read in which you get an excellent feel of the characters and all the nuances of their background that makes them who they are. I found the ending a little too saccharine for my palette but not enough to spoil my enjoyment if this novel.
September 20, 2018
Ok, so the book wasn't absolutely terrible, and I'm sure there are people out there who will actually love it. But, I've been reading a lot of contemporary romances recently for some reason, and this one was shit compared to the other's I've read and really, really loved.
What the book got right:
- The plot was really innovative. I like the concept of a movie star who leads a double life as a really good author and an academic who studies that author getting together
-That's it
What was really bad:
-The plot is so fucking slow! Literally, it takes about a third of the book for them to even meet, and only the last maybe 5 chapters are they actually together. It was so, so boring. Like there's literally a point where Rebecca has an entire chapter dedicated to her going to a college reunion and hooking up. There's no reason for this. It's never mentioned again. She doesn't learn anything from this. It doesn't push her forward. It's like the book needed to be exactly 25 chapters, and we couldn't live without this 20-paged eye opener (eye closer?)
-Rebecca is SO whiney. There are no less than 3 times when she literally starts crying and RUNS AWAY because someone said something she didn't like. This bitch is supposed to be an academic, poised and educated, yet she can't stand to sit and talk things through when there's a misunderstanding?
-Why does Dara talk to ghosts? It doesn't have anything to do with the plot... She literally doesn't do anything with it except one awkward scene with her mother that could have easily been replaced with something else. It doesn't even help with her 'tragic' backstory...
-I partially listened to this in audiobook form, and it was just terrible. The voices were nails on a chalkboard.
Ultimately, I just couldn't wait to get this over with. I recommend Nell Stark's books that are similar to this plot, but much better.
What the book got right:
- The plot was really innovative. I like the concept of a movie star who leads a double life as a really good author and an academic who studies that author getting together
-That's it
What was really bad:
-The plot is so fucking slow! Literally, it takes about a third of the book for them to even meet, and only the last maybe 5 chapters are they actually together. It was so, so boring. Like there's literally a point where Rebecca has an entire chapter dedicated to her going to a college reunion and hooking up. There's no reason for this. It's never mentioned again. She doesn't learn anything from this. It doesn't push her forward. It's like the book needed to be exactly 25 chapters, and we couldn't live without this 20-paged eye opener (eye closer?)
-Rebecca is SO whiney. There are no less than 3 times when she literally starts crying and RUNS AWAY because someone said something she didn't like. This bitch is supposed to be an academic, poised and educated, yet she can't stand to sit and talk things through when there's a misunderstanding?
-Why does Dara talk to ghosts? It doesn't have anything to do with the plot... She literally doesn't do anything with it except one awkward scene with her mother that could have easily been replaced with something else. It doesn't even help with her 'tragic' backstory...
-I partially listened to this in audiobook form, and it was just terrible. The voices were nails on a chalkboard.
Ultimately, I just couldn't wait to get this over with. I recommend Nell Stark's books that are similar to this plot, but much better.
June 5, 2020
Sometimes, when reading a book, we give it another title, which we find better suited to our reading experience. At least I do.
So let's talk about Mary Sue meets Mary Sue. I mean, All That Lies Within. I liked the blurb of this book, the subject could be interesting and I hoped for a good, short, fun read. Alas, the characters are too boringly perfect to be enjoyable.
There are 3 mains leads in this book. The actress/writer heroine, her college teaching love interest and her supporting/matchmaker best friend. And EACH OF THESE 3 IS PERFECT. Seriously. One Mary Sue apparently wasn't enough for Lynn Ames, so she put several. Sadly, those perfect ladies transforms this book in a boring, unfun and incredibly unbelievable read, where we're constantly supposed to be in awe of the character on the page. Hint: we're not.
Tl:dr, Mary Sue times 3 does not a good book create. It creates a ridiculously stupid one.
So let's talk about Mary Sue meets Mary Sue. I mean, All That Lies Within. I liked the blurb of this book, the subject could be interesting and I hoped for a good, short, fun read. Alas, the characters are too boringly perfect to be enjoyable.
There are 3 mains leads in this book. The actress/writer heroine, her college teaching love interest and her supporting/matchmaker best friend. And EACH OF THESE 3 IS PERFECT. Seriously. One Mary Sue apparently wasn't enough for Lynn Ames, so she put several. Sadly, those perfect ladies transforms this book in a boring, unfun and incredibly unbelievable read, where we're constantly supposed to be in awe of the character on the page. Hint: we're not.
Tl:dr, Mary Sue times 3 does not a good book create. It creates a ridiculously stupid one.
July 13, 2013
I've like Lynn Ames books since the kate and jay series. This book is a little bit unusual though... it's not the traditional romance where you fall in love at first sight. It's about two people who isolates themselves and try to avoid getting emotionally attached, and how they eventually break through the barrier to find love.
Enjoyable read though the psychic theme was a bit strange for me, and the ending was a bit rush... "too perfect" in my opinion. I think the story would have been good enough already without the psychic part. People get ostrich-sized for all sort of reasons anyways.
Enjoyable read though the psychic theme was a bit strange for me, and the ending was a bit rush... "too perfect" in my opinion. I think the story would have been good enough already without the psychic part. People get ostrich-sized for all sort of reasons anyways.
January 14, 2017
Dara Thomas is sexy, talented, beautiful, and seems to have it all. But for all her success as an actress, Dara's secret life is where her true passion resides. Rebecca Minton, professor of American Literature at a prestigious Vermont college, a huge fan of Constance Darrow. Preparing to teach a course on the author's book, she sends a fan letter to the reclusive author. To her surprise, the author replies.
What happens next is a wonderful story of taking a chance on love.
What happens next is a wonderful story of taking a chance on love.
April 16, 2019
Read in late 2017. Highly unrealistic to put it mildly. So many coincidences that wouldn’t be possible and quite flat characters. Interesting plot but yeah no I don’t think so.
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