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The Veracity of Lies
- Golden Crown Literary Awards 2023 Finalist in Historical Fiction - The Wes Goodwin Show was a comedic hit in the 1950s. All across the country, families tuned in weekly to find out what wholesome mischief Kathryn Anderson as Paula, on-screen wife of Wes Goodwin, would get into with her quirky and single neighbor Kay, played by Alice Kincaid. But life off-screen, out of the spotlight and away from the adoring public, was far from wholesome.
When The Wes Goodwin Show becomes one of the top syndicated programs of 1981, The Holly Singer Show wants to capitalize on the moment with a live cast reunion.
Now a fallen starlet from the golden years, Kathryn has been making art house pictures in Germany with her second husband. When news about the reunion comes in, she finds herself wasted on a plane headed for Los Angeles. Is she strong enough to deal with what she did after all these years?
When Alice receives a call from her agent about the reunion, she nearly passes out in front of her concerned and confused son. She owes the television series her name in the business, but how can she face her past in the flesh?
When The Wes Goodwin Show becomes one of the top syndicated programs of 1981, The Holly Singer Show wants to capitalize on the moment with a live cast reunion.
Now a fallen starlet from the golden years, Kathryn has been making art house pictures in Germany with her second husband. When news about the reunion comes in, she finds herself wasted on a plane headed for Los Angeles. Is she strong enough to deal with what she did after all these years?
When Alice receives a call from her agent about the reunion, she nearly passes out in front of her concerned and confused son. She owes the television series her name in the business, but how can she face her past in the flesh?
Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2024
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About the author
Anna Woiwood
5 books57 followersAnna Woiwood is a writer of mid-century Sapphic stories. Her debut novel, The Veracity of Lies, was a finalist for a 2023 Golden Crown Literary Award in historical fiction and A Tiger in Suburbia was a 2024 Golden Crown Literary Ann Bannon Popular Choice finalist. She lives in Kansas City with her small cat son, Walter. Find her on Instagram @anna.w.writes
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 3, 2023
4 stars - conflicted on how to rate/review this one but giving at four stars because it had me in a chokehold till the end
Two married actresses on a 1950s sitcom fall in love and it doesn’t end well. 20 years later they are offered a second chance at the HEA that could never be the first time.
I’m not sure what to say about this book. Did I like it? Yes and no. Was I invested in the story? Definitely yes.
Both Alice and Kathryn were flawed characters. Especially Kathryn. Man, was she a mess! There was so much smoking and alcohol abuse, and in her later years drug abuse I don’t know how she stayed alive to make it to the end of the book. It was a lot to read. If you don’t like books with a lot of drinking and smoking, you will hate this book. Kathryn is an alcoholic and a chain smoker and every drink she takes and every cigarette she smokes is described.
There is also a scene in the middle of the book that should have a trigger warning. An act so vile, despicable and depraved perpetrated onto Kathryn by her then husband, Charles, that I found it really hard to shake. I literally could not stop having it in the back of my mind through the rest of the book. (it’s not describe in detail, but you know exactly what has happened ) And the fact that he and the other men don’t receive any consequence for it boils my blood.
Because of that, and things that happened to her in her childhood/teen years, she is such a mess that I was riveted to the pages, wishing so hard for her redemption, and for her to turn her life around irregardless of the romance between her and Alice. I don’t think I’ve ever read a character as screwed up as Kathryn.
Would I recommend this book? I don’t know. If you’re in the mood to read about the screwed up person in a messed up situation, who eventually gets their shit straightened out this might be the book for you otherwise give it a pass.
Two married actresses on a 1950s sitcom fall in love and it doesn’t end well. 20 years later they are offered a second chance at the HEA that could never be the first time.
I’m not sure what to say about this book. Did I like it? Yes and no. Was I invested in the story? Definitely yes.
Both Alice and Kathryn were flawed characters. Especially Kathryn. Man, was she a mess! There was so much smoking and alcohol abuse, and in her later years drug abuse I don’t know how she stayed alive to make it to the end of the book. It was a lot to read. If you don’t like books with a lot of drinking and smoking, you will hate this book. Kathryn is an alcoholic and a chain smoker and every drink she takes and every cigarette she smokes is described.
There is also a scene in the middle of the book that should have a trigger warning. An act so vile, despicable and depraved perpetrated onto Kathryn by her then husband, Charles, that I found it really hard to shake. I literally could not stop having it in the back of my mind through the rest of the book. (it’s not describe in detail, but you know exactly what has happened ) And the fact that he and the other men don’t receive any consequence for it boils my blood.
Because of that, and things that happened to her in her childhood/teen years, she is such a mess that I was riveted to the pages, wishing so hard for her redemption, and for her to turn her life around irregardless of the romance between her and Alice. I don’t think I’ve ever read a character as screwed up as Kathryn.
Would I recommend this book? I don’t know. If you’re in the mood to read about the screwed up person in a messed up situation, who eventually gets their shit straightened out this might be the book for you otherwise give it a pass.
August 1, 2023
This is a hard book to read. It’s often discouraging and tragic. It’s also very good. I’ll start with content warnings so you can decide if you’re up to it. There’s a lot of abuse of all sorts: drugs and alcohol, abuse of power, men over women, sexual and emotional. There are slurs (homophobic, transphobic…) and controlling mothers and husbands. One of the characters struggles with eating disorders.
Kathryn Anderson and Alice Kincaid were co-stars in a sitcom in the 1950s. Both were married to men, though Kathryn, who was in her mid-thirties then, wasn’t new to being attracted to women. For the younger actress, however, realizing how she felt towards her female colleague was a life-changing event, in more ways than one. Part of the story is set at that time, part in 1981, when they meet again for a cast reunion on TV.
As I said, this was painful to read but I’m very glad I did. It’s one of these books I can’t really explain, it has to be experienced. It has a Sunset Boulevard vibe, Kathryn has nothing to envy Norma Desmond. Yet it didn’t leave me sad. Melancholy, however…
Kathryn and Alice are complex, multilayered characters, and their love story, their journeys are captivating. The writing is excellent, the pace mellow yet frantic at times, paralleling the events of the story. A very good debut. 4.5⭐️
I received a copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
November 6, 2022
When I read the first chapters of this book i thought two things :
1. I was gonna love this book
2. It was gonna be painful
I was right for both.
I have read a few books about vintage sapphic love stories by now. Each time it's so hard to read how unfair and unkind the world was to queer people who needed to be so brave to find each other and to act on their feelings. This book is no exception.
Kathryn and Alice are in a world where men get to live and where women get to exist. The book travels between late fifties and 1981. The writing make you dive into their universe : from the demons they have to face, to the solace they find in each other..
I don't want to spoil too much, but the slow burn, the tension and the spiralling will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.
So much dark topics are adressed here : addiction, eating disorders, sexual abuse...
The writer doesn't spare her characters and doesn't shy away from really hard scenes. Her writing is really easy to read, her choice for the chronological story telling was really clever, and with short chapters i found myself reading one after another without being able to put the book down.
Did i cry? Yes.
Did i need some time to recover? Yes.
Was it worth it? Yes
Do i recommend it? Absolutely (if your heart can handle it)
If you are looking for an easy read with perfect characters, run away. If you are brave : this is a beautiful love story and a wonderful debut novel.
ARC provided in exchange of an honest review
1. I was gonna love this book
2. It was gonna be painful
I was right for both.
I have read a few books about vintage sapphic love stories by now. Each time it's so hard to read how unfair and unkind the world was to queer people who needed to be so brave to find each other and to act on their feelings. This book is no exception.
Kathryn and Alice are in a world where men get to live and where women get to exist. The book travels between late fifties and 1981. The writing make you dive into their universe : from the demons they have to face, to the solace they find in each other..
I don't want to spoil too much, but the slow burn, the tension and the spiralling will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.
So much dark topics are adressed here : addiction, eating disorders, sexual abuse...
The writer doesn't spare her characters and doesn't shy away from really hard scenes. Her writing is really easy to read, her choice for the chronological story telling was really clever, and with short chapters i found myself reading one after another without being able to put the book down.
Did i cry? Yes.
Did i need some time to recover? Yes.
Was it worth it? Yes
Do i recommend it? Absolutely (if your heart can handle it)
If you are looking for an easy read with perfect characters, run away. If you are brave : this is a beautiful love story and a wonderful debut novel.
ARC provided in exchange of an honest review
November 21, 2022
‘The Veracity of Lies’ is one of those stories that you cannot help but think about long after you reach the final page.
*Trigger warnings for abuse, domestic violence, addiction and drug abuse.
Woiwood has created characters who are vibrant and so fully formed that they leap off of the page. The story follows Kathryn and Alice; two actresses that made their name on the Wes Goodwin show in 1950’s America. Thirty years later the cast is called to a reunion and the two women have to confront their unresolved relationship and complicated emotions.
Neither woman is unscathed from their time in the limelight and the way that Hollywood molded and used them to the roles they wanted them to portray on and off the screen. Honestly this story is heartbreaking and especially the trauma that Kathryn pushes down within herself really got to me. The suppression that both women endure is poignantly written and I don’t think I have ever championed a couple as much as I did in this novel.
To say this debut is a sapphic romance isn’t enough; it is a historical fiction about the dark side of Hollywood, about two women whose enduring love couldn’t keep them safe from damaging societal norms. It is one of the most emotionally poignant and beautiful love stories I have read in a long time.
*Trigger warnings for abuse, domestic violence, addiction and drug abuse.
Woiwood has created characters who are vibrant and so fully formed that they leap off of the page. The story follows Kathryn and Alice; two actresses that made their name on the Wes Goodwin show in 1950’s America. Thirty years later the cast is called to a reunion and the two women have to confront their unresolved relationship and complicated emotions.
Neither woman is unscathed from their time in the limelight and the way that Hollywood molded and used them to the roles they wanted them to portray on and off the screen. Honestly this story is heartbreaking and especially the trauma that Kathryn pushes down within herself really got to me. The suppression that both women endure is poignantly written and I don’t think I have ever championed a couple as much as I did in this novel.
To say this debut is a sapphic romance isn’t enough; it is a historical fiction about the dark side of Hollywood, about two women whose enduring love couldn’t keep them safe from damaging societal norms. It is one of the most emotionally poignant and beautiful love stories I have read in a long time.
May 3, 2023
I feel like the author decided on the ingredients of bigotry, addiction, eating disorder, rape, misogyny, narcissism poured neatly in a glass, shaken (vigorously) not stirred! And then served it up to the readers. Oh but don’t worry, you’ll EVENTUALLY quench your thirst of a happy ending but its sitting at the bottom of the glass, you’ll need to down the entire contents of secondhand pain and suffering by the main characters first to get to it. Thanks!
I had to do small frequent readings because my mental health is not stable enough to handle the barrage of emotions this book seem to expertly kick up every page I turn! The tragic irony is, I braced myself for The Price of Salt and was underwhelmed by the emotional upheaval of the book so I got the false sense of security and lowered my guard for my next book and then Kathryn Anderson and Alice Kincaid happened. So, here I am, wrecked after 386 pages of The Veracity of Lies.
I had to do small frequent readings because my mental health is not stable enough to handle the barrage of emotions this book seem to expertly kick up every page I turn! The tragic irony is, I braced myself for The Price of Salt and was underwhelmed by the emotional upheaval of the book so I got the false sense of security and lowered my guard for my next book and then Kathryn Anderson and Alice Kincaid happened. So, here I am, wrecked after 386 pages of The Veracity of Lies.
January 2, 2023
So this book reminded me some of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo... and if you have not read that book drop what you are doing and just do it. Both books take place over many years. Hollywood actresses and what it was like back in the past to be a closeted performer. I found I did not care much for one of the mains but I think this is to be expected and it is important to be this way. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is being made into a miniseries and I could see this being done with this book as well. very good book and a plus 4 rating... long read for me but well worth it.
November 8, 2023
I feel as if the whole time reading this, I was peeking through a blanket of trauma. Idk, I just could not look away.
November 6, 2022
😩𝚃𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜: 𝙰𝚕𝚌𝚘𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚖, 𝙳𝚛𝚞𝚐 𝚊𝚋𝚞𝚜𝚎, 𝚁𝚊𝚙𝚎, 𝚊𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚜.😩..
𝕋ℍ𝔼𝕄𝔼𝕊: ℍ𝕀𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕀ℂ𝔸𝕃. 𝔻ℝ𝔸𝕄𝔸. 𝔸ℂ𝕋ℝ𝔼𝕊𝕊/ℂ𝔼𝕃𝔼𝔹ℝ𝕀𝕋𝕐. 𝔻𝔸ℝ𝕂
"The dark side of Hollywood" is what I choose to title this book 😩😩😩 Because my women suffered like there was no God to save them or hear their prayers.
𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘;
The main plot is really good. Celebrity romance can be very intriguing. It is like reading this gossip tabloids but written by the celebrity themselves, so no stalking agenda. It was really sad what happened to the love between Kathryn and Alice.
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒;
The only two characters I liked were Robin and Jack. Robin was Alice's "could've been" gf and Jack was Alice's son. Alice was ok too but her timid traits got annoying after a while. And Kathryn, I don't hate her but I don't like her either. I hate it when someone knows they're doing something wrong and still do it... like really, why? And I don't know if she had a lot of flaws. She needed a therapist and a real friend.
A lot of things happened to Alice and Kathryn, they had flaws and issues and mental illnesses. Alice had anxiety and eating disorder plus a co-dependence trait. And then Kathryn, the alcohol, the drugs, the smoking, the unsafe sex.. very self destructive. like I said, she needed therapy and a real friend.
The hetero sex was disgusting because most of it was non-consensual, with Alice saying no and Frank still forcing himself on her without a condom, many times. And don't get me started with Charles, that monster. The things he did to Kathryn. The endless abortions and then Vivian. And the mothers to Kathryn and Alice, such traumatizing figures. Good riddance.
The book is good, kind of educative. Life is not easy. But I didn't feel good reading it or finishing it. No HEA. 😩😞 After all that suffering.
𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩.
𝕋ℍ𝔼𝕄𝔼𝕊: ℍ𝕀𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕀ℂ𝔸𝕃. 𝔻ℝ𝔸𝕄𝔸. 𝔸ℂ𝕋ℝ𝔼𝕊𝕊/ℂ𝔼𝕃𝔼𝔹ℝ𝕀𝕋𝕐. 𝔻𝔸ℝ𝕂
"The dark side of Hollywood" is what I choose to title this book 😩😩😩 Because my women suffered like there was no God to save them or hear their prayers.
𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘;
The main plot is really good. Celebrity romance can be very intriguing. It is like reading this gossip tabloids but written by the celebrity themselves, so no stalking agenda. It was really sad what happened to the love between Kathryn and Alice.
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒;
The only two characters I liked were Robin and Jack. Robin was Alice's "could've been" gf and Jack was Alice's son. Alice was ok too but her timid traits got annoying after a while. And Kathryn, I don't hate her but I don't like her either. I hate it when someone knows they're doing something wrong and still do it... like really, why? And I don't know if she had a lot of flaws. She needed a therapist and a real friend.
A lot of things happened to Alice and Kathryn, they had flaws and issues and mental illnesses. Alice had anxiety and eating disorder plus a co-dependence trait. And then Kathryn, the alcohol, the drugs, the smoking, the unsafe sex.. very self destructive. like I said, she needed therapy and a real friend.
The hetero sex was disgusting because most of it was non-consensual, with Alice saying no and Frank still forcing himself on her without a condom, many times. And don't get me started with Charles, that monster. The things he did to Kathryn. The endless abortions and then Vivian. And the mothers to Kathryn and Alice, such traumatizing figures. Good riddance.
The book is good, kind of educative. Life is not easy. But I didn't feel good reading it or finishing it. No HEA. 😩😞 After all that suffering.
𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩.
April 2, 2023
Do you ever start reading a book and then think about it the whole time you’re not able to read it? Well this was one of those books for me! Sometime it takes reading a story like this to appreciate how much easier women and the LGBTQ+ community have it now! This book was a mix between “The Price of Salt/Carol” and “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” i will read this book again for sure!
October 20, 2025
Nobody knows yearning the way lesbians know yearning.
April 3, 2025
From the moment I started reading this book I just couldn't put it down, I was honestly quite shocked to find out that this was the authors first novel, the writing was very intricate and just flat out brilliant. I'm honestly quite shocked more people haven't heard of this book. The novel does have a lot of content warnings, so please take care of yourself as the reader and check those beforehand, but I really appreciate the transparency and vulnerability surrounding these heavy topics and well as the authors formatting and writing style, there's also a lot of alluding throughout the book which I adore. The attention to detail in the outfits and character personalities is definitely not going unnoticed by me. This was a great read for me, and I can't wait for more from this author and Kathryn you will forever live in my mind.
September 22, 2023
This story captured me from the first page. I fell in love with both Kathryn and Alice. The sadness and strength in both of them. Such different women and yet so similar. Their story is tragic, yet the author tells it beautifully. I felt so much for both of them and wanted their story to be happier, but that was not to be, at least not for decades. It was certainly authentic and real for the time and public life they lived in.
Don't let the tragedy turn you off. This is a fantastic read and one of the best books I've read this year. Looking forward to the author's next book.
Don't let the tragedy turn you off. This is a fantastic read and one of the best books I've read this year. Looking forward to the author's next book.
May 2, 2025
I wanted to like this more than I did. Unfortunately, the characterisation was really shallow so I had a hard time getting emotionally invested in these characters to start with. Add to that what feels like an excessive amount of trauma inflicted on the characters and sudden time jumps and I just didn't feel it much. This was fully going to be two stars but the ending pulled it back only slightly because we FINALLY started talking about problems and addressing them.
Edit: I had the night to ponder this some more and I think the major reason I was not emotionally invested in these characters was that they don't really know each other at all. Kathryn barely shares anything about herself or her life with Alice and Alice barely shares anything about herself except the bare bones of her life. Someone in the book does say (probably Kathryn) that the other doesn't know her so how can she love her and I have to agree. This doesn't change until almost the end of the book so I'm unconvinced there is a lasting bond here beyond lust. As a result, I remained emotionally invested compared to the obviously similar subject book (The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo) because we go through Evelyn's life and loves with her and so are emotionally invested in her life and character.
Edit: I had the night to ponder this some more and I think the major reason I was not emotionally invested in these characters was that they don't really know each other at all. Kathryn barely shares anything about herself or her life with Alice and Alice barely shares anything about herself except the bare bones of her life. Someone in the book does say (probably Kathryn) that the other doesn't know her so how can she love her and I have to agree. This doesn't change until almost the end of the book so I'm unconvinced there is a lasting bond here beyond lust. As a result, I remained emotionally invested compared to the obviously similar subject book (The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo) because we go through Evelyn's life and loves with her and so are emotionally invested in her life and character.
December 12, 2023
In the 1950s, Kathryn and Alice are co-stars in a TV series (sort of a cross between The Dick Van Dyke Show and I Love Lucy). One night backstage, Kathryn kisses Alice, and slowly, things build between them. But both are married to men and, although Kathryn is aware of her bisexuality, Alice is clueless.
But the book begins much later, in the 1980s when the two have been estranged for years and their show is popular in reruns. They're both asked with the rest of the cast to appear for a reunion interview on a talk show. Alice is still working in TV but Kathryn lives in Germany with her second husband, starring his art films. Neither woman is looking forward to seeing the other.
Kathryn is possibly the most damaged character I have ever come across in Sapphic novels. She's a victim of abuse, both physical and sexual, and is an alcoholic and drug addict. Throughout the book she chain smokes. Alice has an eating disorder and has never ventured into another relationship after Kathryn, focusing on her career and raising her son.
The book is filled with triggering issues (thus, the list of trigger warnings), but if you can stand them, I recommend the book. There is some redemption in the final chapters, but it takes an awful long time to get there. Basically, the book is about the damage of patriarchy, misogyny, homophobia and the Hollywood machine. It's intense.
But the book begins much later, in the 1980s when the two have been estranged for years and their show is popular in reruns. They're both asked with the rest of the cast to appear for a reunion interview on a talk show. Alice is still working in TV but Kathryn lives in Germany with her second husband, starring his art films. Neither woman is looking forward to seeing the other.
Kathryn is possibly the most damaged character I have ever come across in Sapphic novels. She's a victim of abuse, both physical and sexual, and is an alcoholic and drug addict. Throughout the book she chain smokes. Alice has an eating disorder and has never ventured into another relationship after Kathryn, focusing on her career and raising her son.
The book is filled with triggering issues (thus, the list of trigger warnings), but if you can stand them, I recommend the book. There is some redemption in the final chapters, but it takes an awful long time to get there. Basically, the book is about the damage of patriarchy, misogyny, homophobia and the Hollywood machine. It's intense.
October 25, 2025
I was torn between 4 or 5 stars on this one. It just took me a while to get through so I felt like I kept loosing where I was at in the storyline. So many heavy topics discussed in this one, which to me kept it more interesting. I enjoyed the development of the two main characters and the ending was tied up so nicely!!
April 27, 2023
3.5 Stars
October 14, 2022
The Veracity of Lies
The Veracity of Lies is sapphic feminist historical fiction novel. Anna does a great job of plopping you right into the 1950s. The writing assuages the reader’s descriptive needs from mannerisms to the hairstyles in that era. Brilliant writing!
The FMCs, Katherine, the more assertive character, and Alice, the more demure character, are both actresses in the 1950’s who develop a crush on one another. Both are married to men and living the life society expects them to live (not without their vices.) Being women in the 50’s, conformity was the only way to exist. So they did. Stealing time together in the shadows because relatives, doctors, coworkers, social circles, courts, and society in general unapologetically echo the oppressive belief that women are subordinate to men. Women can’t live without men. Women can’t have an opinion or voice. Women obey their men.
The obvious love and conviction Kathryn and Alice had for one another; the reality of their situation had me in tears. I cried. I cried for women.
The Veracity of Lies is sapphic feminist historical fiction novel. Anna does a great job of plopping you right into the 1950s. The writing assuages the reader’s descriptive needs from mannerisms to the hairstyles in that era. Brilliant writing!
The FMCs, Katherine, the more assertive character, and Alice, the more demure character, are both actresses in the 1950’s who develop a crush on one another. Both are married to men and living the life society expects them to live (not without their vices.) Being women in the 50’s, conformity was the only way to exist. So they did. Stealing time together in the shadows because relatives, doctors, coworkers, social circles, courts, and society in general unapologetically echo the oppressive belief that women are subordinate to men. Women can’t live without men. Women can’t have an opinion or voice. Women obey their men.
The obvious love and conviction Kathryn and Alice had for one another; the reality of their situation had me in tears. I cried. I cried for women.
September 19, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm crying as I write this review.
This book is about two co-stars who fall in love in 1956, when women being with women wasn't ok.
This book broke my heart. It is beautifully written. It has two beautiful, amazingly strong women who have to go through some shit things to be together.
The book is written from two points of view; Alice and Kathryn. It goes from the 1956 era to the 1980s, telling the story of the two women, their love story, through heartbreak and through their struggles in life.
Kathryn is bisexual and I believe Alice is a lesbian, who was forced to marry men.
This book is so beautiful, heart-breaking and just so amazing. I can't believe this is Anna's first published book.
Please read this book. It does have triggers, including eating disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction, spousal sa, homophobia, cancer, and sexual slurs, but if you can get past them, this book is everything.
Thank you Anna Woiwood for the chance to read this beautiful story. You are amazing.
I'm crying as I write this review.
This book is about two co-stars who fall in love in 1956, when women being with women wasn't ok.
This book broke my heart. It is beautifully written. It has two beautiful, amazingly strong women who have to go through some shit things to be together.
The book is written from two points of view; Alice and Kathryn. It goes from the 1956 era to the 1980s, telling the story of the two women, their love story, through heartbreak and through their struggles in life.
Kathryn is bisexual and I believe Alice is a lesbian, who was forced to marry men.
This book is so beautiful, heart-breaking and just so amazing. I can't believe this is Anna's first published book.
Please read this book. It does have triggers, including eating disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction, spousal sa, homophobia, cancer, and sexual slurs, but if you can get past them, this book is everything.
Thank you Anna Woiwood for the chance to read this beautiful story. You are amazing.
November 30, 2022
this is evelyn hugo if taylor jenkins reid had written everything that went down in the 50s
Read
January 31, 2025DNF around 18%, just felt like an early draft and wasn’t digging it
February 19, 2025
I devoured this book. It made me so uncomfortable at times but I needed more. I think the story and characters will be with me for some time.
May 13, 2025
i cant do this gay shit anymore
November 8, 2022
I received an ARC from the author.
TW: drugs, alcohol, abuse, rape, eating disorder, and homophobic/transphobic slurs
I absolutely loved this book! Anna has lovely writing. I found the storytelling captivating. She truly has a beautiful way with words.
Now I know this book won't be for everyone, because it is a very raw, gritty story. As the reader you get an inside look at the dark side of Hollywood: the drug abuse, sexual assault, and homophobia. The author also shows what goes on behind the doors with toxic traditional marriage. We see how married women are treated like their husband's property. Sadly many of these issues are still alive today but I feel like we can more freely talk about it now.
This a very messy story with deeply flawed characters, but it was incredibly real. I absolutely adored Kathryn despite her many flaws. Seeing the struggles of the characters and how they dealt with their problems, whether wrong or right, was truly captivating. Anna did not hold back on anything.
I loved seeing Kathryn and Alice having to work through things instead of there being a quick and easy happy ending. The ending didn't feel rushed, the author made sure the characters actually worked through their problems and I LOVED it. The ending felt earned.
I'm so happy I received a ARC of this book and I loved it (despite having to take breaks because of the heavy topics). I enjoy reading messy, gritty stories from time to time. Yes, I enjoy reading books as an escape, but I also love reading books that feel very real. If you like reading books like this as well, and if you love Sapphic historical novels, I highly recommend adding this one to your list.
TW: drugs, alcohol, abuse, rape, eating disorder, and homophobic/transphobic slurs
I absolutely loved this book! Anna has lovely writing. I found the storytelling captivating. She truly has a beautiful way with words.
Now I know this book won't be for everyone, because it is a very raw, gritty story. As the reader you get an inside look at the dark side of Hollywood: the drug abuse, sexual assault, and homophobia. The author also shows what goes on behind the doors with toxic traditional marriage. We see how married women are treated like their husband's property. Sadly many of these issues are still alive today but I feel like we can more freely talk about it now.
This a very messy story with deeply flawed characters, but it was incredibly real. I absolutely adored Kathryn despite her many flaws. Seeing the struggles of the characters and how they dealt with their problems, whether wrong or right, was truly captivating. Anna did not hold back on anything.
I loved seeing Kathryn and Alice having to work through things instead of there being a quick and easy happy ending. The ending didn't feel rushed, the author made sure the characters actually worked through their problems and I LOVED it. The ending felt earned.
I'm so happy I received a ARC of this book and I loved it (despite having to take breaks because of the heavy topics). I enjoy reading messy, gritty stories from time to time. Yes, I enjoy reading books as an escape, but I also love reading books that feel very real. If you like reading books like this as well, and if you love Sapphic historical novels, I highly recommend adding this one to your list.
November 23, 2022
Check out our review of this book and other LGBTQ+ books on our new podcast, Your Rainbow Reads.
Available on all podcast platforms or at www.yourrainbowreads.com
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Available on all podcast platforms or at www.yourrainbowreads.com
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/your...
February 17, 2025
Edit
The audiobook was worth it. Brilliant narration! A job very well done.👏
Sublime! A must read 🔥
The audiobook was worth it. Brilliant narration! A job very well done.👏
Sublime! A must read 🔥
November 6, 2022
Anna Woiwood
The Veracity of Lies
Arc
This story broke my heart. I cried after reading it, could not sleep and cried some more the next morning. My heart broke for Kathryn and Alice, how unfair the whole situation was. The book will stick with you for a while.
I do have to say that there are some trigger warnings in this book. There are a few scenes in the book that talk about a woman being raped by several men and an overdose incident.
The story opens with the two main characters sharing a moment where love blossoms between them. It was a different time in the world. A time where they knew they could not be together and be free to love one another.
Then the story moves to the present day. They are older, they are in different places. They are trying to hang in with a younger crowd. Could there be something missing for each of them?
This is a debut novel, it gives you a deep dive into the complexes of love, and how it feels after not having the one person in your life that could have possibly changed the trajectory of your path.
Kathryn is unrecognizable. She has a husband who is taking her down a dark path. Alice was very close to her son, Jack.
The story does have flashbacks. It goes from the 80’s back to the 50’s. When I was reading the book, you could feel the infatuation and chemistry between the two women. Both women had demons. Alice had gotten control of hers, but Kathryn was visibly still struggling.
This is an interesting story that takes you into a world where women's voices are still suppressed by men and the industry. There was a scene where Kathryn's husband, Charles, let something horrible happen to her. It was hard to read.The way women were punished for loving one another. Men always seem to believe that they can cure you by doing unspeakable things to you. It really hit a nerve and quite frankly hurt me.
This was an emotional story of two women who loved each other. Live their whole life unhappy due to the times they found each other. The era that they loved each other, which is in my views, quite sad when you really think about it. Gay people that lived in the 50s 60s 70s and 80s, were often suppressed into marriages with the opposite sex. This story resonated with me very deeply.
I have experienced some hardships by coming out. My family disowned me, but I am able to be free be happy. I love my wife and our daughter, and live with them in peace. I couldn’t imagine not having them in my life. Not being able to be with my wife, the person that I love with my whole soul. My heart broke that they did not have the time and the choice to just love each other, and have the family that they so desperately wanted together. The author does not write like someone that has just written her first novel she really has written a story that leaves your mind in a maze I went through spots in the book. I could not put the book down. It is a wonderful, sometimes hard to sit through scenes, with the two husbands. I really did not care for Charles, he was horrible to her in my opinion. Caused a lot of pain.
There were some supporting characters, I simply did not like Alice's mother, Charles, they were just cruel in my opinion.
I have to say thank you to the author for the arc.. I’m so grateful that I have the opportunity to read your first novel. I wish you nothing but success as you move forward and everything that you do. I highly recommend 5 stars by this book.
The Veracity of Lies
Arc
This story broke my heart. I cried after reading it, could not sleep and cried some more the next morning. My heart broke for Kathryn and Alice, how unfair the whole situation was. The book will stick with you for a while.
I do have to say that there are some trigger warnings in this book. There are a few scenes in the book that talk about a woman being raped by several men and an overdose incident.
The story opens with the two main characters sharing a moment where love blossoms between them. It was a different time in the world. A time where they knew they could not be together and be free to love one another.
Then the story moves to the present day. They are older, they are in different places. They are trying to hang in with a younger crowd. Could there be something missing for each of them?
This is a debut novel, it gives you a deep dive into the complexes of love, and how it feels after not having the one person in your life that could have possibly changed the trajectory of your path.
Kathryn is unrecognizable. She has a husband who is taking her down a dark path. Alice was very close to her son, Jack.
The story does have flashbacks. It goes from the 80’s back to the 50’s. When I was reading the book, you could feel the infatuation and chemistry between the two women. Both women had demons. Alice had gotten control of hers, but Kathryn was visibly still struggling.
This is an interesting story that takes you into a world where women's voices are still suppressed by men and the industry. There was a scene where Kathryn's husband, Charles, let something horrible happen to her. It was hard to read.The way women were punished for loving one another. Men always seem to believe that they can cure you by doing unspeakable things to you. It really hit a nerve and quite frankly hurt me.
This was an emotional story of two women who loved each other. Live their whole life unhappy due to the times they found each other. The era that they loved each other, which is in my views, quite sad when you really think about it. Gay people that lived in the 50s 60s 70s and 80s, were often suppressed into marriages with the opposite sex. This story resonated with me very deeply.
I have experienced some hardships by coming out. My family disowned me, but I am able to be free be happy. I love my wife and our daughter, and live with them in peace. I couldn’t imagine not having them in my life. Not being able to be with my wife, the person that I love with my whole soul. My heart broke that they did not have the time and the choice to just love each other, and have the family that they so desperately wanted together. The author does not write like someone that has just written her first novel she really has written a story that leaves your mind in a maze I went through spots in the book. I could not put the book down. It is a wonderful, sometimes hard to sit through scenes, with the two husbands. I really did not care for Charles, he was horrible to her in my opinion. Caused a lot of pain.
There were some supporting characters, I simply did not like Alice's mother, Charles, they were just cruel in my opinion.
I have to say thank you to the author for the arc.. I’m so grateful that I have the opportunity to read your first novel. I wish you nothing but success as you move forward and everything that you do. I highly recommend 5 stars by this book.
February 3, 2025
if i had to sum up my feelings after reading this book in one word, it would be enraged. and i mean that in the best way possible. i expected the veracity of lies to be a painful read, but it turned out to be even more powerful than i anticipated—a raw, gut-wrenching, and unapologetic sapphic historical fiction that doesn’t hold back.
set against the backdrop of 1950s hollywood (and later, the 1980s), this book lays bare the ugly truths about the industry—the relentless patriarchy, the way women had little to no control over their own lives, careers, and bodies, and the horrifying reality of what it took to survive in that world. and when i say the book does not shy away from showing that brutality, i mean it. it’s infuriating and devastating because so much of it is based in truth. what hit me even harder is that by the end, there’s no magical resolution—just a reminder that the fight isn’t over, and women’s resilience is something to be reckoned with.
kathryn and alice—where do i even begin? my heart shattered for both of them, but kathryn especially. she’s been a victim her entire life, chewed up and spit out by men who saw her as nothing more than something to use. the amount of suffering she endures is staggering, and i still don’t have the words to fully process it. and yet, amid all the pain, there’s this beautiful, heartbreaking love story between her and alice. it’s not a conventional romance—how could it be, given the time period and the rampant bigotry?—but the way they steal moments together, the push and pull of their relationship, the joy they find in those fleeting instances… it’s tragic, but it’s theirs.
there’s one scene that absolutely wrecked me: kathryn asking vivian if she could ever forgive her, and vivian responding, “it was never your fault.” i had to physically stop and just cry. two women, both victims of a rotten system, understanding each other in a way no one else ever could. no need for long explanations, no misplaced blame—just raw, quiet solidarity.
and that’s what makes this book hit so hard. it’s not just about what happened to these women—it’s about how they carried it, how they endured, and how they found pieces of joy even in a world that tried to take everything from them. it’s about stolen moments of love, about pain that lingers long after the wounds have closed, about the unspoken understanding between survivors who recognize the scars in each other.
it also made me think a lot about how history repeats itself. the fight kathryn and alice faced isn’t just a thing of the past. women are still fighting for autonomy, for safety, for the right to exist without being controlled or punished for simply being who they are. and that’s why i love that this book doesn’t tie things up with a neat bow—because the story isn’t over. it’s still being written, every day, by women who refuse to be silenced.
this book says so much beyond what’s written on the page. if you can handle the content warnings, it’s a must-read—a story about survival, resistance, and the unbreakable spirit of women who refuse to be erased.
set against the backdrop of 1950s hollywood (and later, the 1980s), this book lays bare the ugly truths about the industry—the relentless patriarchy, the way women had little to no control over their own lives, careers, and bodies, and the horrifying reality of what it took to survive in that world. and when i say the book does not shy away from showing that brutality, i mean it. it’s infuriating and devastating because so much of it is based in truth. what hit me even harder is that by the end, there’s no magical resolution—just a reminder that the fight isn’t over, and women’s resilience is something to be reckoned with.
kathryn and alice—where do i even begin? my heart shattered for both of them, but kathryn especially. she’s been a victim her entire life, chewed up and spit out by men who saw her as nothing more than something to use. the amount of suffering she endures is staggering, and i still don’t have the words to fully process it. and yet, amid all the pain, there’s this beautiful, heartbreaking love story between her and alice. it’s not a conventional romance—how could it be, given the time period and the rampant bigotry?—but the way they steal moments together, the push and pull of their relationship, the joy they find in those fleeting instances… it’s tragic, but it’s theirs.
there’s one scene that absolutely wrecked me: kathryn asking vivian if she could ever forgive her, and vivian responding, “it was never your fault.” i had to physically stop and just cry. two women, both victims of a rotten system, understanding each other in a way no one else ever could. no need for long explanations, no misplaced blame—just raw, quiet solidarity.
and that’s what makes this book hit so hard. it’s not just about what happened to these women—it’s about how they carried it, how they endured, and how they found pieces of joy even in a world that tried to take everything from them. it’s about stolen moments of love, about pain that lingers long after the wounds have closed, about the unspoken understanding between survivors who recognize the scars in each other.
it also made me think a lot about how history repeats itself. the fight kathryn and alice faced isn’t just a thing of the past. women are still fighting for autonomy, for safety, for the right to exist without being controlled or punished for simply being who they are. and that’s why i love that this book doesn’t tie things up with a neat bow—because the story isn’t over. it’s still being written, every day, by women who refuse to be silenced.
this book says so much beyond what’s written on the page. if you can handle the content warnings, it’s a must-read—a story about survival, resistance, and the unbreakable spirit of women who refuse to be erased.
January 21, 2024
A friend told me about this book so I thought I’d pop into and give it a shot. What a shot!
This is one of those books that really make you think about life. To really think about how far we have come as a society. Yes, there are many things we still need to improve on, but that is not the purpose of the review for this book. On that note, this is a great take on the reality of history. Especially the history of women in a Hollywood or performance arts scene.
The story itself is definitely is a lot to digest, but I always think it’s so important to remember the struggles of others and ourselves to appreciate the evolution of who we are today. Anna has a talent of being able to craft a story that truly emulates the struggles: emotionally, physically, and psychologically, of her MC’s. It was a lot of raw emotion that had to be hidden behind the ever present strong facade that women often find themselves needing to put out to the world.
The relationship between Alice and Kathryn was as tumultuous as you can expect of costars in Hollywood in the 1950’s. It is a relationship that goes beyond two women who are just attracted to each other. The social pressures they face both public and especially privately with their own first marriages shows a bond that goes beyond lust. Being within the same career field, they endure things that only a few people may understand, which in turn strengthens the bond between them.
Because the book spans a number of years, it goes to show, sometimes the truest of loves takes time to come to fruition. And it shows what it truly means to connect with someone and be there for them even when they just need time to work through their own issues.
While I did not live through the time period itself, I have done a lot of research into women’s history and this was definitely on point for what women endured during the 50’s. Even down to the propagandized substance abuse and nicotine addictions that were used to sell to the public. There was no shying away from what the sensuality and sexuality of women were used to sell to the American public. Raw, but absolutely fantastic and on point to hit home of the reality of things.
Overall it was a grammatically it was a very well written book. Eloquent and succinct in vocabulary, vernacular and flow of the story. It wasn’t overly indulgent with big words, again, the best way to put it is “raw but real”.
I look forward to more amazing works by Anna.
This is one of those books that really make you think about life. To really think about how far we have come as a society. Yes, there are many things we still need to improve on, but that is not the purpose of the review for this book. On that note, this is a great take on the reality of history. Especially the history of women in a Hollywood or performance arts scene.
The story itself is definitely is a lot to digest, but I always think it’s so important to remember the struggles of others and ourselves to appreciate the evolution of who we are today. Anna has a talent of being able to craft a story that truly emulates the struggles: emotionally, physically, and psychologically, of her MC’s. It was a lot of raw emotion that had to be hidden behind the ever present strong facade that women often find themselves needing to put out to the world.
The relationship between Alice and Kathryn was as tumultuous as you can expect of costars in Hollywood in the 1950’s. It is a relationship that goes beyond two women who are just attracted to each other. The social pressures they face both public and especially privately with their own first marriages shows a bond that goes beyond lust. Being within the same career field, they endure things that only a few people may understand, which in turn strengthens the bond between them.
Because the book spans a number of years, it goes to show, sometimes the truest of loves takes time to come to fruition. And it shows what it truly means to connect with someone and be there for them even when they just need time to work through their own issues.
While I did not live through the time period itself, I have done a lot of research into women’s history and this was definitely on point for what women endured during the 50’s. Even down to the propagandized substance abuse and nicotine addictions that were used to sell to the public. There was no shying away from what the sensuality and sexuality of women were used to sell to the American public. Raw, but absolutely fantastic and on point to hit home of the reality of things.
Overall it was a grammatically it was a very well written book. Eloquent and succinct in vocabulary, vernacular and flow of the story. It wasn’t overly indulgent with big words, again, the best way to put it is “raw but real”.
I look forward to more amazing works by Anna.
January 31, 2023
It's me not the book.
2.5/5
Trigger warnings:
Alcoholism, homophobia, rape, sexual assault, physical abuse, verbal abuse, drug abuse, depression, anxiety, eating disorder, trauma etc.
The synopsis had kept me captivated for so long, and I had been so excited to read the book.
Initially I totally loved it, at the first page I was like okay hit me.
It did hit, the story kept on moving, it did keep me hooked but then it became unbearable for me because the both characters suffered so much and their chemistry faltered away leaving only a bittersweet or more like void emptiness that made me feel they shouldn't have reconnected afterwards.
And I don't have any thing against anyone smoking but the way Kathryn just smoked every goddamn second of the book just kinda annoyed me.
Even though I was really interested in knowing the background of the demise of Kathryn and what transpired between Kathryn and Alice it didn't justify the injustice they all went through because it was so explicit; fairly horrible things do happen and much more terrible things have happened that the history knows of and some that history doesn't but people do but I guess there is something that tugs at my heart to suffer because you love someone quite the contrary to what is sought to be considered "okay". The cruelties the characters be it real life or fictional go through make me feel nauseated and entirely detached.
And so the actresses were plunged deeper and deeper into the whirling black holes of doom by the people who controlled their lives, it was heartbreaking for me to see it happening but I think it has never been my cup of tea. Nor the writing style.
Plus, how the mental problems were handled and how the characters struggled with it, how some things just didn't happen the way in real life, and how it- that I think- was overlooked in the book didn't do the thing for me.
Also, I guess the pull and push between the characters became too repetitive for me so I just couldn't like it much.
I wanted to love the book and the characters but it just didn't pan out for me.
2.5/5
Trigger warnings:
Alcoholism, homophobia, rape, sexual assault, physical abuse, verbal abuse, drug abuse, depression, anxiety, eating disorder, trauma etc.
The synopsis had kept me captivated for so long, and I had been so excited to read the book.
Initially I totally loved it, at the first page I was like okay hit me.
It did hit, the story kept on moving, it did keep me hooked but then it became unbearable for me because the both characters suffered so much and their chemistry faltered away leaving only a bittersweet or more like void emptiness that made me feel they shouldn't have reconnected afterwards.
And I don't have any thing against anyone smoking but the way Kathryn just smoked every goddamn second of the book just kinda annoyed me.
Even though I was really interested in knowing the background of the demise of Kathryn and what transpired between Kathryn and Alice it didn't justify the injustice they all went through because it was so explicit; fairly horrible things do happen and much more terrible things have happened that the history knows of and some that history doesn't but people do but I guess there is something that tugs at my heart to suffer because you love someone quite the contrary to what is sought to be considered "okay". The cruelties the characters be it real life or fictional go through make me feel nauseated and entirely detached.
And so the actresses were plunged deeper and deeper into the whirling black holes of doom by the people who controlled their lives, it was heartbreaking for me to see it happening but I think it has never been my cup of tea. Nor the writing style.
Plus, how the mental problems were handled and how the characters struggled with it, how some things just didn't happen the way in real life, and how it- that I think- was overlooked in the book didn't do the thing for me.
Also, I guess the pull and push between the characters became too repetitive for me so I just couldn't like it much.
I wanted to love the book and the characters but it just didn't pan out for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2025
I don’t even know where to begin with this beautiful story. It tore my heart apart, shredded it, and then put it back together, leaving me feeling a profound sense of reflection. Set in the 1950s on the backdrop of a sitcom, Kathryn Anderson shines as an established, older actress. Joined by Alice Kincaid, a talented actress ten years her junior, the narrative explores the complexities of queer love and identity. Kathryn embraces her bisexuality in her open marriage, while Alice hides her sexuality in the shadows of her controlled existence with an abusive husband. As the two women’s connection deepens, Kathryn finds solace in her struggles through substance abuse and Alice battles an eating disorder, a problem that stemmed from her mother. Spanning decades and culminating in 2003, the story beautifully captures the essence of resilience and transformation. While I usually prefer stories that focus on a specific stage of life rather than wrapping everything up at the end of a character’s life, this tale unfolds seamlessly, embracing the fullness of existence. I look forward to more of Woiwood’s stories if this is any indication of what magic she can create with words.
This was the first story I heard narrated by Kimberly Wetherell, and it showcased her remarkable talent. With a full cast of characters and the challenge of aging the actresses' voices, she delivered captivating performances. Wetherell infused Kathryn with that classic Hollywood sound, gravelly and rich with experience and cigarettes, while Alice's more timid and insecure voice brought depth to her character. She even masterfully embraced a native German accent for multiple characters. The romantic scenes created by Woiwood, though nearly fade-to-black, were filled with such intensity and anticipation that Wetherell's narration left me feeling profoundly fulfilled, as if every detail had been shared and leaving nothing to the imagination. This will not be my last Wetherell audio and I think we have a new forever match made with Woiwood and Wetherell. I cannot wait for more!
This was the first story I heard narrated by Kimberly Wetherell, and it showcased her remarkable talent. With a full cast of characters and the challenge of aging the actresses' voices, she delivered captivating performances. Wetherell infused Kathryn with that classic Hollywood sound, gravelly and rich with experience and cigarettes, while Alice's more timid and insecure voice brought depth to her character. She even masterfully embraced a native German accent for multiple characters. The romantic scenes created by Woiwood, though nearly fade-to-black, were filled with such intensity and anticipation that Wetherell's narration left me feeling profoundly fulfilled, as if every detail had been shared and leaving nothing to the imagination. This will not be my last Wetherell audio and I think we have a new forever match made with Woiwood and Wetherell. I cannot wait for more!
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