Book Description: New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts weaves scandal, celebrity secrets, and murder into an explosive novel of Hollywood almost too wicked not to be true: the story of a legendary actress who knows too much—and the woman she’s chosen to reveal it all….
Eve Benedict is the kind of subject who could make any biographer’s career. Last of the movie goddesses, she has two Oscars, four ex-husbands, and a legion of lovers, both famous and infamous. Now she is ready to write a tell-all memoir that has even Hollywood’s richest and most powerful worried.
Julia Summers never dreamed of being chosen to tell Eve’s story. But even if it means transplanting herself and her ten-year-old son from their quiet life in Connecticut to the withering limelight of Beverly Hills, it’s an opportunity too great to pass up. But Julia never imagined how far someone would go to keep Eve Benedict’s book from being published…until she discovers just how dark Eve’s secrets are. And the one man Julia hopes she can trust—Eve’s stepson, Paul Winthrop—may have the most to gain if his stepmother’s story is never told…and if Julia’s life ends before she can write a word of the truth.
I absolutely loved Genuine Lies. Nora Roberts is for me, the greatest contemporary romance writers ever. I have never been disappointed with any of her many books and believe me; I have read a huge amount. Her stories are exciting, interesting and varied, filled with unforgettable characters that stay with you forever and incredible fabulous alpha-males with soul and strong, beautiful and gutsy heroines, and of course there’s romance, love and great HEA’s.
I have read this book so many times – in fact I still have the copy I bought when it was first published in 1991 – yes 1st edition!!! Now you might call me NR possessed – after all, this book is a bit yellowed by time but still going ….with a nice little plastic cover to protect it!!!!!!....does that make me a NR lover???? Yes, it does and I am….a lifelong fan…I am!!!
But, back to the story of a Eve Benedict, the famous queen and movie goddess of Hollywood who hires Julia Summers to write her biography and her adopted son, Paul Winthrop, who plays an incredibly important part in both these women’s lives.
There have been so many reviews written in the last 20 years on this book, so I am just going to write my feelings after my umpteenth read.
*Although written over 20 years ago with a few dated references such as the clothing descriptions, the story still remains as fresh and new today.
*I absolutely loved Eve. Her love for life, her kindness, her loyalty, her sexiness…here’s a woman in her late sixties who still has the power – not only because of her beauty but because of who she is inside – to seduce a gorgeous man half her age!!!! Knowing exactly who she was, able to admit her mistakes. Her love for a man she could never be together with really pulled my heartstrings. Despite the pain and sadness she had experienced in her life, she did not become a bitter person with regrets. I understood, in the end, why she felt it so important to write her memoirs. In a way I felt the sadness in this life she had, after having all that money, fame, power, men, suddenly so alone in a way.
*The romance between Julia & Paul Winthrop, two people you cannot help but like so much is sweet, tender and so sensual. Paul may be an alpha-male without the whole macho thing…he’s persuasive, sexy, gorgeous, romantic, funny and does not ever give up on Julia, who hides a lovable and sensual side under this controller, organized and self-reliant career woman. Her son, Brandon, is one of those young kids you can engage with…he’s cute not obnoxious and smart. I cared for these characters and became so involved in their lives as the story progresses.
*Loved all the suspense, the twists, the glamour, the glitz, secrets and scandals and some delicious tidbits of a Hollywood life.
*I was surprised to discover the “REAL” bad person in the end, which was really sad in a way and I wish Eve Benedict would get to spend time playing with Brandon.
This is such a fabulous book and I loved reading it again and losing myself in the world of LA LA land.