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The Greatest Lie of All
A glamorous romance novelist and an aspiring starlet share an unexpected secret in this addictive story about love, ambition and how far we’re willing to go to protect our hearts
Fledgling actress Amelia Grant is at rock bottom when offered the opportunity of a to star in a biopic about the world-renowned romance author Gloria Diamond, who used her own tragic love story as inspiration for her bestselling books. To prepare for the role, she’ll spend a week with Gloria at her secluded Washington estate. It’s a chance to get out of LA, away from her cheating ex-boyfriend, and to make her recently deceased mother proud.
Amelia’s excitement is short-lived, however, once she actually meets Gloria, who is cold, verging on rude and mostly unavailable. If not for Gloria’s frustratingly handsome son Will, the visit might be a complete waste of her time.
But when Amelia stumbles upon a secret from Gloria’s past, she realizes Gloria’s life story is more fiction than fact. And as the movie’s filming date draws nearer, Amelia must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to uncover the truth.
Fledgling actress Amelia Grant is at rock bottom when offered the opportunity of a to star in a biopic about the world-renowned romance author Gloria Diamond, who used her own tragic love story as inspiration for her bestselling books. To prepare for the role, she’ll spend a week with Gloria at her secluded Washington estate. It’s a chance to get out of LA, away from her cheating ex-boyfriend, and to make her recently deceased mother proud.
Amelia’s excitement is short-lived, however, once she actually meets Gloria, who is cold, verging on rude and mostly unavailable. If not for Gloria’s frustratingly handsome son Will, the visit might be a complete waste of her time.
But when Amelia stumbles upon a secret from Gloria’s past, she realizes Gloria’s life story is more fiction than fact. And as the movie’s filming date draws nearer, Amelia must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to uncover the truth.
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First published December 3, 2024
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About the author
Jillian Cantor
16 books1,556 followersJillian Cantor is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of fifteen novels for teens and adults, which have been chosen for LibraryReads, Indie Next, Amazon Best of the Month, and have been translated into 15 languages. Born and raised in a suburb of Philadelphia, Cantor currently lives in Arizona with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
March 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ this gave “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” vibes
January 6, 2025
Excellent audiobook! The story was so good! It started and wrapped up nicely. I loved the twists! I liked how majority of the story was told in two POV: Amelia vs Mer (Gloria). Then added the additional POV when needed with Bess and Annie. The mystery and suspense was good. The narrators did a great job. I liked the past vs present timeline. Some good humor. I enjoyed this audiobook while declutterring. Last night I was woken up and couldn't get back to sleep. Well this book kept me up longer than intended. I really wanted to know what happens next! It got me teary eyed at work!
The story followed Amelia, an actress. She got offered a big role. She will act as this big shot romance author. The author is private and lived in a secluded area. Amelia wanted to stay with the author at her house for a few days getting to know the author so that she can prepare herself for the role. The alternating view was Gloria, the romance author. Gloria's view started back in 1981 leading up to 1991 when she was in college and met the guy she liked named Max. For reasons of her own she decided to push Max away towards her roommate. She ended up with George. In the current day, Gloria's adult son Will just mentioned about a picture of a man he saw at 5 that he didn't recognize who. He only saw it now because he caught Amelia went snooping in Gloria's office. They started digging into the past. When the past involved someone close to Amelia, she started to wonder if the past should be left alone or would it better knowing than not knowing. She also started questioning which are lies.
Thank you HTP_Hive for the complimentary audiobook!
The story followed Amelia, an actress. She got offered a big role. She will act as this big shot romance author. The author is private and lived in a secluded area. Amelia wanted to stay with the author at her house for a few days getting to know the author so that she can prepare herself for the role. The alternating view was Gloria, the romance author. Gloria's view started back in 1981 leading up to 1991 when she was in college and met the guy she liked named Max. For reasons of her own she decided to push Max away towards her roommate. She ended up with George. In the current day, Gloria's adult son Will just mentioned about a picture of a man he saw at 5 that he didn't recognize who. He only saw it now because he caught Amelia went snooping in Gloria's office. They started digging into the past. When the past involved someone close to Amelia, she started to wonder if the past should be left alone or would it better knowing than not knowing. She also started questioning which are lies.
Thank you HTP_Hive for the complimentary audiobook!
January 15, 2025
3.5 🌟 Rounded down. The Greatest Lie Of All is an interesting story told in dual timelines. It follows Amelia, an actress who has been cast to play romance novelist Gloria Diamond. Amelia travels to Washington state to spend time with Gloria and learn more about her as she prepares for her role. What follows is a cold reception, a budding romance, an unsavory co-star, and a quest to have many questions answered following the recent death of her mother. Definitely entertaining and kept me engaged in the story but not really enough character development to connect with the characters and leave a lasting impression.
December 13, 2024
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
“Why did I really need to know the truth, anyway?
Because I wasn’t even sure how to begin to play a character I didn’t fully understand. If I wanted to truly become Gloria, then her secrets would have to become my secrets.”
Okay, brutally honest. I was not overwhelmed by the premise or the writing. I wanted to give it a chance, for while I did have enough quibbles with Jillian Cantor's previous work, I gave myself the benefit of the doubt that their latest release would surprise me with good intentions. Sadly, with so much in the know of hinting to fans of Evelyn Hugo will endear to it, it pretty much takes away the element of surprise, don't you think? 🙎🏻♀️ Not to mention, that the 80s, in my opinion, hardly feel as far back a time that it would feel that its history would be of such uncertainty let alone mystery, & how very unlikable if not unsavory & unpleasant the past characters behaved, too... 🙄
But, I wanted to give it a chance. I wanted to believe that the connection between esteemed glamorous romance novelist, Gloria Diamond and aspiring fledgling and selected actress to play her in her upcoming biopic, thirty-three-year-old Amelia Grant, would not be the most obvious and predictable one. Alas, my fears were warranted. Much like how Fiction Writer was on the heels of Rebecca, The Greatest Lie of All failed to land an impressive impression, simply because of what reading references it alluded to. 🙍🏻♀️
“We all tell stories to ourselves, but some of them are truer than others.”
It was all too predictable, too easy to draw the relationship between everything that it made for a weak read; one that almost put me in a slump! 😫 The writing was also not of the finest touch. I was not feeling it. The dual narrative between Gloria of the past and Amelia of the present also did not help; the choice of being a different choice of povs for each, also made it a rougher transition. We also did not really get enough screen time shared between the two, for Amelia to really make that assessment that Gloria disliked her; is it enough to assume that her avoidance is a reason for it? 🤷🏻♀️
But, it did pave the way for her curiosity to find out the truth. One that begins with her attraction to Will, Gloria's handsome and charming son, which also heralds more conflicting memories that have her questioning her own past. leading to secrets that tie into Gloria's truth. 'She lies and she fictionalizes, and then sometimes I’m not totally sure she even knows what’s real anymore.' 😟 But, there was no intrigue to it or any tension to it; it was for Amelia, sure, but as a reader, it was all too on the nose for me - too obvious that even the twists and reveals 'felt both cliché and disappointing' and decisively flat. I did feel bad for Amelia, though; her desire to live up to Gloria's persona, an author her recently deceased mother revered more than anything, was palpable, and it is disheartening when someone you've idolized does not wish to give you the time of day. 😔
I'm also not quite sure what the intent was of showcasing a negative side of man; be it the Method acting, or Amelia's bad luck with men, or how Gloria's past was also paved with trauma, I just could not draw the parallel between the emphasis on it. Was it to challenge how Gloria wrote fiction of glamorous and everlasting romances that led to what they both have experienced? 😒 Was it to show that when a love comes along, not to risk it for anything, but to hold on tight? To not settle for the worst, when there is the chance for the best? I mean, if it is just to show Amelia's bad luck or how very different Will was to all of them, fine, I'll bite. But, otherwise, it just felt off to me. Although, she and Will were cute together, I'll give them that... 🫂
“If there’s one thing I know, it’s that love doesn’t wait for you. When it comes, it’s fleeting. And if you don’t grab on to it, it disappears forever.”
And If I am going to be kind, I am going to say that it is the loss of a great love that shines. The unspoken mistakes and decisions of staying silent are what played a part in keeping loved ones apart. How we lie to ourselves, in order to protect our hearts from our guilt, our heartbreak, our pain, our sadness - convincingly so that we believe in nothing else. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 How jealousy, doubt, and uncertainty drives us to acts of passion, crime, and anger that never proves to have fruitful consequences, rather only having a great sense of time loss and a life of regrets. It is that lesson Amelia walks away with that perhaps is her saving grace, and Gloria Diamond's most crowning achievement, as well as the understanding of how life has to be lived to the fullest, leaving no chance to fate - 'it’s all about what you do in the middle that counts' 🙏🏻
So, with that I will bid adieu to this author. I was happy to try again, but the feeling that I'm going to have just as distasteful a time next time around doesn't sound very promising to me. Not to mention that both reads I read heavily borrowed on existing fictional works, so that hardly leaves room for originality to be appealing... Oh well, it was worth a shot.. 😔
“Why did I really need to know the truth, anyway?
Because I wasn’t even sure how to begin to play a character I didn’t fully understand. If I wanted to truly become Gloria, then her secrets would have to become my secrets.”
Okay, brutally honest. I was not overwhelmed by the premise or the writing. I wanted to give it a chance, for while I did have enough quibbles with Jillian Cantor's previous work, I gave myself the benefit of the doubt that their latest release would surprise me with good intentions. Sadly, with so much in the know of hinting to fans of Evelyn Hugo will endear to it, it pretty much takes away the element of surprise, don't you think? 🙎🏻♀️ Not to mention, that the 80s, in my opinion, hardly feel as far back a time that it would feel that its history would be of such uncertainty let alone mystery, & how very unlikable if not unsavory & unpleasant the past characters behaved, too... 🙄
But, I wanted to give it a chance. I wanted to believe that the connection between esteemed glamorous romance novelist, Gloria Diamond and aspiring fledgling and selected actress to play her in her upcoming biopic, thirty-three-year-old Amelia Grant, would not be the most obvious and predictable one. Alas, my fears were warranted. Much like how Fiction Writer was on the heels of Rebecca, The Greatest Lie of All failed to land an impressive impression, simply because of what reading references it alluded to. 🙍🏻♀️
“We all tell stories to ourselves, but some of them are truer than others.”
It was all too predictable, too easy to draw the relationship between everything that it made for a weak read; one that almost put me in a slump! 😫 The writing was also not of the finest touch. I was not feeling it. The dual narrative between Gloria of the past and Amelia of the present also did not help; the choice of being a different choice of povs for each, also made it a rougher transition. We also did not really get enough screen time shared between the two, for Amelia to really make that assessment that Gloria disliked her; is it enough to assume that her avoidance is a reason for it? 🤷🏻♀️
But, it did pave the way for her curiosity to find out the truth. One that begins with her attraction to Will, Gloria's handsome and charming son, which also heralds more conflicting memories that have her questioning her own past. leading to secrets that tie into Gloria's truth. 'She lies and she fictionalizes, and then sometimes I’m not totally sure she even knows what’s real anymore.' 😟 But, there was no intrigue to it or any tension to it; it was for Amelia, sure, but as a reader, it was all too on the nose for me - too obvious that even the twists and reveals 'felt both cliché and disappointing' and decisively flat. I did feel bad for Amelia, though; her desire to live up to Gloria's persona, an author her recently deceased mother revered more than anything, was palpable, and it is disheartening when someone you've idolized does not wish to give you the time of day. 😔
I'm also not quite sure what the intent was of showcasing a negative side of man; be it the Method acting, or Amelia's bad luck with men, or how Gloria's past was also paved with trauma, I just could not draw the parallel between the emphasis on it. Was it to challenge how Gloria wrote fiction of glamorous and everlasting romances that led to what they both have experienced? 😒 Was it to show that when a love comes along, not to risk it for anything, but to hold on tight? To not settle for the worst, when there is the chance for the best? I mean, if it is just to show Amelia's bad luck or how very different Will was to all of them, fine, I'll bite. But, otherwise, it just felt off to me. Although, she and Will were cute together, I'll give them that... 🫂
“If there’s one thing I know, it’s that love doesn’t wait for you. When it comes, it’s fleeting. And if you don’t grab on to it, it disappears forever.”
And If I am going to be kind, I am going to say that it is the loss of a great love that shines. The unspoken mistakes and decisions of staying silent are what played a part in keeping loved ones apart. How we lie to ourselves, in order to protect our hearts from our guilt, our heartbreak, our pain, our sadness - convincingly so that we believe in nothing else. ❤️🩹❤️🩹 How jealousy, doubt, and uncertainty drives us to acts of passion, crime, and anger that never proves to have fruitful consequences, rather only having a great sense of time loss and a life of regrets. It is that lesson Amelia walks away with that perhaps is her saving grace, and Gloria Diamond's most crowning achievement, as well as the understanding of how life has to be lived to the fullest, leaving no chance to fate - 'it’s all about what you do in the middle that counts' 🙏🏻
So, with that I will bid adieu to this author. I was happy to try again, but the feeling that I'm going to have just as distasteful a time next time around doesn't sound very promising to me. Not to mention that both reads I read heavily borrowed on existing fictional works, so that hardly leaves room for originality to be appealing... Oh well, it was worth a shot.. 😔
September 17, 2024
The Greatest Lie of All
By: Jillian Cantor
Pub date: Dec 3, 2024
Publisher: Park Row
5 💎 💎💎💎💎
Absolutely AMAZING novel!
The latest novel by Cantor is another MUST read! Gloria Diamond is a romance author who is a bit of a recluse. She is best known for her romance novels inspired by her tragic love story.
💎
Amelia Grants is an actress who signs on the play the famous author in a movie. Part of the movie deal is that Amelia gets the chance to meet with Gloria to find out more about her than the tradition stuff posted.
💎
When they meet Gloria does not present the way “the world” sees her. She is cold, rude, and stand-offish and allows Amelia limited access to her. She also meets Gloria’s son, which provides tension, and some romance. He knows how his mother is, and the tension between everyone is felt in many levels.
💎
Already pre-ordered to add to my other Cantor books. Thank you Park Row for the gifted e-ARC.
#thegreatestlieofall, #jilliancantor, #parkrow, #stamperlady50
By: Jillian Cantor
Pub date: Dec 3, 2024
Publisher: Park Row
5 💎 💎💎💎💎
Absolutely AMAZING novel!
The latest novel by Cantor is another MUST read! Gloria Diamond is a romance author who is a bit of a recluse. She is best known for her romance novels inspired by her tragic love story.
💎
Amelia Grants is an actress who signs on the play the famous author in a movie. Part of the movie deal is that Amelia gets the chance to meet with Gloria to find out more about her than the tradition stuff posted.
💎
When they meet Gloria does not present the way “the world” sees her. She is cold, rude, and stand-offish and allows Amelia limited access to her. She also meets Gloria’s son, which provides tension, and some romance. He knows how his mother is, and the tension between everyone is felt in many levels.
💎
Already pre-ordered to add to my other Cantor books. Thank you Park Row for the gifted e-ARC.
#thegreatestlieofall, #jilliancantor, #parkrow, #stamperlady50
December 2, 2024
Actress Amelia Grant has just lost her mother. After a 10-year relationship, she broke up with her actor boyfriend after she found him in bed with his co-star. Fortunately, she is offered the starring role in a film about the life of her late mother's favorite author, the Queen of Romance novels, Gloria Diamond. To prepare for the role, Amelia spends a few days at Gloria's Seattle home to gain insight and inspiration. The biopic focuses on Gloria's life with her husband George, who tragically died young. This loss of her great love became the basis of everything she would write about. When Amelia meets Gloria's son Will, a charming lawyer, a friendship develops, and it becomes apparent that the story Gloria has been telling of her life is more fiction than fact. There is a darker truth behind Mare, Gloria's real name, and Amelia is determined to uncover it.
Jillian Cantor's The Greatest Lie of All combines mystery, drama, and some romance. The chapters alternate between the present and the past, exploring Mare's college years and her early days of married life and motherhood. This fast-paced, well-written book is highly engaging. All wrapped up in a beautiful book cover. I found it thoroughly entertaining.
Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row Books for providing a gifted advance of this book.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Jillian Cantor's The Greatest Lie of All combines mystery, drama, and some romance. The chapters alternate between the present and the past, exploring Mare's college years and her early days of married life and motherhood. This fast-paced, well-written book is highly engaging. All wrapped up in a beautiful book cover. I found it thoroughly entertaining.
Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Park Row Books for providing a gifted advance of this book.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
June 29, 2024
The Greatest Lie of All by Jillian Cantor
I read this courtesy Net Galley and Park Row. Reeling from her mother’s death and over her boyfriend’s infidelity, actress Amelia Grant agrees to star in a movie about the life of Gloria Diamond, a famous romance author, based on her memoir. She goes to spend some time with Gloria at her home outside of Seattle, when she finds that the woman is nothing like what she had imagined and there are questions that are raised with no discernable answers. With Will, Gloria’s son, Amelia starts to unravel the mystery of Gloria Diamond’s real life—and how she herself is somehow connected to the woman. This story worked well, but there is a deus ex machina kind of reveal that came out of nowhere. Despite that, it is an absorbing tale of legacy, regrets, and secrets that is worth a read.
#TheGreatestLieofAll #NetGalley #WashingtonState #HarlequinTrade #ParkRow #MethodActing
I read this courtesy Net Galley and Park Row. Reeling from her mother’s death and over her boyfriend’s infidelity, actress Amelia Grant agrees to star in a movie about the life of Gloria Diamond, a famous romance author, based on her memoir. She goes to spend some time with Gloria at her home outside of Seattle, when she finds that the woman is nothing like what she had imagined and there are questions that are raised with no discernable answers. With Will, Gloria’s son, Amelia starts to unravel the mystery of Gloria Diamond’s real life—and how she herself is somehow connected to the woman. This story worked well, but there is a deus ex machina kind of reveal that came out of nowhere. Despite that, it is an absorbing tale of legacy, regrets, and secrets that is worth a read.
#TheGreatestLieofAll #NetGalley #WashingtonState #HarlequinTrade #ParkRow #MethodActing
July 27, 2025
On the heels of her mother's death and learning that her boyfriend was cheating, actress Amelia Grant is hired to portray bestselling author Gloria Diamond in a biopic about her life. Determined to nail her performance, Amelia attempts to get to know the famous writer, only to find her overtures rebuffed. With the help of Gloria's son, Amelia starts to dig into the author's past and realizes that things don't add up. This book is quickly paced and I sped through the last third, wanting to know how the story came together. I enjoyed this read and I look forward to reading more of this author.
January 7, 2025
3.5
Two strangers brought together by their mother's complicated relationship learn secrets from the past and get entangled in a romantic relationship when one of them signs on to act the part of the other's mother in the film adaptation of her life story. Twisty and emotional, this was good on audio read by Karissa Vacker and Cassandra Campbell (two fav narrators) and an entertaining, messy domestic story of love found and lost and the implications it has on the next generation. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
Two strangers brought together by their mother's complicated relationship learn secrets from the past and get entangled in a romantic relationship when one of them signs on to act the part of the other's mother in the film adaptation of her life story. Twisty and emotional, this was good on audio read by Karissa Vacker and Cassandra Campbell (two fav narrators) and an entertaining, messy domestic story of love found and lost and the implications it has on the next generation. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
November 21, 2024
I loved this book. Jillian Cantor has written a novel full of mystery and intrigue. It is a story about friendship, secrets, lies, love, and betrayal. It is so well written and kept me captivated through every single page. There are several likeable characters, Amelia, Will and Bess, and a couple, Gloria Diamond and George, not very so likable. I have read and loved many of Jillian Cantor’s previous books, mostly historical fiction novels, and she is now on her way to becoming a top-notch author of mystery, suspense, and thriller novels. I highly recommend The Greatest Lie of All.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy!
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the review copy!
December 31, 2024
(3.5)nice story, pretty predictable and a bit frustrating that everything was built up so much when it felt so obvious. liked the characters enough, but probably read the equivalent to this book x4 now
December 28, 2024
Actress Amelia Grant has just unexpectedly lost their mother. After a 10-year relationship, she broke up with her actor boyfriend after she found him in bed with his co-star.
Amelia is offered the starring role in a film about the life of her late mother's favorite author, the Queen of Romance novels, Gloria Diamond. To prepare for the role, Amelia requests spends a few days at Gloria's Seattle home to gain insight and inspiration and Gloria begrudgingly agrees. When Amelia meets Gloria, she finds her to be cold and secretive, very different from her public persona.
While struggling with getting to know Gloria, Amelia meets her son Will. A spark and friendship develops between them, and while exchanging notes, it becomes apparent that the story Gloria has been telling of her life is more fiction than fact. There is a darker truth behind Mare, Gloria's real name, and Amelia is determined to uncover it.
The Greatest Lie of All combines mystery, drama, and some romance. The chapters alternate between the present and the past, exploring Mare's college years and her early days of married life and motherhood -- as well as the relationship that she considers the love of her life, a secret love she has kept well-guarded. I was captivated throughout the story, although I did find the ending just ever so slightly rushed and bordering on a few clichés. This fast-paced, well-written book is highly engaging.
Amelia is offered the starring role in a film about the life of her late mother's favorite author, the Queen of Romance novels, Gloria Diamond. To prepare for the role, Amelia requests spends a few days at Gloria's Seattle home to gain insight and inspiration and Gloria begrudgingly agrees. When Amelia meets Gloria, she finds her to be cold and secretive, very different from her public persona.
While struggling with getting to know Gloria, Amelia meets her son Will. A spark and friendship develops between them, and while exchanging notes, it becomes apparent that the story Gloria has been telling of her life is more fiction than fact. There is a darker truth behind Mare, Gloria's real name, and Amelia is determined to uncover it.
The Greatest Lie of All combines mystery, drama, and some romance. The chapters alternate between the present and the past, exploring Mare's college years and her early days of married life and motherhood -- as well as the relationship that she considers the love of her life, a secret love she has kept well-guarded. I was captivated throughout the story, although I did find the ending just ever so slightly rushed and bordering on a few clichés. This fast-paced, well-written book is highly engaging.
April 22, 2025
I always enjoy when The Greatest Lie of All has a new novel available. The Greatest Lie of All is different from the historical fiction novels she has written, as the historical part takes place in the 1980s and isn't centered around any specific events from that era. However, it's a really interesting story told from two perspectives in the past and present. I liked seeing how the story would unfold and some aspects weren't what I was expecting at all! I was definitely guessing what would happen, but wasn't sure if I'd be right.
(Originally posted at Chick Lit Central.)
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TW: Domestic violence, infidelity, death of parent, house fire
I definitely felt frustrated for Amelia, with Gloria not giving her much to work with. Especially since she needed that information for the role she was going to play. I also felt bad for Mare, as she was stuck in a difficult situation altogether and it eventually led to tragedy. I don't want to say too much more as this is a story that you really just need to experience for yourself.
The only big concern for me was time, since I didn't know what year it took place in the present. I was guessing the current year, but then the math from the past wasn't adding up. Also a character sounded way older than they were when they were a little kid during flashbacks. These weren't deterrents to my enjoyment and since it was an advanced copy, I'm hoping the timing got ironed out for final publication.
If you're looking for something unputdownable to read, look no further! This novel is addictive, for sure.
(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)
Movie casting suggestions:
Amelia: Emma Roberts
Gloria: Diane Lane
Will: James Wolk
Mare: Sarah Catherine Hook
Bess: Saoirse Ronan
George: Jarred Harper
Max: Nicholas Galitzine
Amelia: Emma Roberts
Gloria: Diane Lane
Will: James Wolk
Mare: Sarah Catherine Hook
Bess: Saoirse Ronan
George: Jarred Harper
Max: Nicholas Galitzine
(Originally posted at Chick Lit Central.)
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TW: Domestic violence, infidelity, death of parent, house fire
May 18, 2024
This is rounded up from 4.5, but still an excellent, well written, heartbreaking story. Amelia is an up and coming actress coming off the untimely death of her mother and the end of her almost 10 year relationship with a fellow actor(jerk) and getting what she hopes is her big break. She's gotten the part in the biopic of her mother's favorite author and she thinks it's a great opportunity. She meets the author, Gloria, to find out more about her to enhance her performance. She's a bit disappointed when Gloria is cold towards her. She meets Gloria's son and starts a friendship with him that deepens when they realize that there is a mystery about Gloria that needs to be solved by them. The more they learn, the more their lives look to become upended. Gloria finally reveals some truth(what she believes to be the truth) to Amelia and Amelia walks away from the project. Amelia finally gets some answers and closure, but misses Will, who she pushed away when she walked away from the movie. After finding a letter Amelia's mother wrote to Gloria and sending it to Gloria, all the mysteries are resolved and the ACTUAL truth comes out. The story is heartbreaking because not everyone got their happily ever after, but that was a lesson learned and heeded by Amelia. I've seen some other reviews that compare this to the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and I do agree that there are a few similarities, but it's a different story and it's a good one.
I was provided this ARC from Netgalley and provided this review voluntarily.
I was provided this ARC from Netgalley and provided this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2024
“The Greatest Lie of All” is the story of Amelia, an up and coming actress who is hired to play the part of Gloria Diamond, a famous romance author, in a movie about Gloria’s life. Seems straightforward, right? As Amelia starts to get to know Gloria in preparation for the movie, though, she starts to realize all is not as it seems with Gloria.
It’s hard to categorize this book or figure out how to describe it or what to liken it to – it’s got slight shades of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”, “Great Circle”, and “Did You Hear About Kitty Carr?” to it so fans of those may enjoy this. Although I’d say it doesn’t have the same level of character development as those books so I wasn’t really invested in the same way. Also, it was a little predictable at times, although I definitely didn’t guess what I’d describe as the final twist.
This is the second book I’ve read by Jillian Cantor and it did leave me wanting to read more by her. I like that I can’t quite pin down her style.
All in all this was an enjoyable and fast pace read and I’d recommend it to fans of the books I’d mentioned earlier!
It’s hard to categorize this book or figure out how to describe it or what to liken it to – it’s got slight shades of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”, “Great Circle”, and “Did You Hear About Kitty Carr?” to it so fans of those may enjoy this. Although I’d say it doesn’t have the same level of character development as those books so I wasn’t really invested in the same way. Also, it was a little predictable at times, although I definitely didn’t guess what I’d describe as the final twist.
This is the second book I’ve read by Jillian Cantor and it did leave me wanting to read more by her. I like that I can’t quite pin down her style.
All in all this was an enjoyable and fast pace read and I’d recommend it to fans of the books I’d mentioned earlier!
January 13, 2025
Excellent story, similar to the Evelyn Hugo book by TJR. I’ll check out other books by this author and reread this one in the future.
October 9, 2024
Advanced Book Review! Thank you @htpbooks, @parkrowbooks and @netgalley for sending me this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
“A glamourous romance novelist and an aspiring starlet share an unexpected secret in this addictive story about love, ambition and how far we’re willing to go to protect our hearts.”
I really enjoyed this book – couldn’t put it down. It definitely has Evelyn Hugo vibes, which is one of my favourite books.
Actress Amelia Grant is coming off of a really terrible couple of months, with the death of her mother and catching her tv star boyfriend cheating on her. She gets the opportunity of a lifetime to portray the world’s biggest bestselling author, The Queen of Romance, Gloria Diamond, in her biopic. Amelia heads to Seattle to spend a week living at Gloria’s house, getting to know her before shotting the movie. Amelia, a method actor, says that “to play Gloria, I would have to become Gloria, understand what she was truly like beneath her dazzling, but always guarded, public persona.” However, Gloria, values her privacy “above everything else.”
I’m a big fan of dual timelines so I loved getting Gloria’s backstory throughout the novel along with Amelia and Gloria’s son, Will, in the present day trying to figure out her secrets. And I obviously knew it was leading to something, but I wasn’t sure what. It kept me fully absorbed and on the edge of my seat right up until the end.
While I did feel that some of the aspects of the plot probably could have been beefed up a bit, I thoroughly enjoyed it and stayed up late to finish.
The Greatest Lie of All was my first book by Jillian Cantor, but it definitely won’t be my last.
4.5 Stars
“A glamourous romance novelist and an aspiring starlet share an unexpected secret in this addictive story about love, ambition and how far we’re willing to go to protect our hearts.”
I really enjoyed this book – couldn’t put it down. It definitely has Evelyn Hugo vibes, which is one of my favourite books.
Actress Amelia Grant is coming off of a really terrible couple of months, with the death of her mother and catching her tv star boyfriend cheating on her. She gets the opportunity of a lifetime to portray the world’s biggest bestselling author, The Queen of Romance, Gloria Diamond, in her biopic. Amelia heads to Seattle to spend a week living at Gloria’s house, getting to know her before shotting the movie. Amelia, a method actor, says that “to play Gloria, I would have to become Gloria, understand what she was truly like beneath her dazzling, but always guarded, public persona.” However, Gloria, values her privacy “above everything else.”
I’m a big fan of dual timelines so I loved getting Gloria’s backstory throughout the novel along with Amelia and Gloria’s son, Will, in the present day trying to figure out her secrets. And I obviously knew it was leading to something, but I wasn’t sure what. It kept me fully absorbed and on the edge of my seat right up until the end.
While I did feel that some of the aspects of the plot probably could have been beefed up a bit, I thoroughly enjoyed it and stayed up late to finish.
The Greatest Lie of All was my first book by Jillian Cantor, but it definitely won’t be my last.
4.5 Stars
May 10, 2025
This was fine-adjacent? I started it on audio, but Karissa Vacker’s narration was (very uncharacteristically) annoying the shit out of me, so I switched to print, but the MC was still irritating, so I think I just didn’t like the character very much, which led to the whole book feeling off. I can see why people liked it, but it didn’t work for me. I did love Cantor’s Beautiful Little Fools, so I’d definitely read another book by her. (And the cover of this is perfect - all I could think of was Elizabeth Taylor saying “White Diiaahmonds”)
March 5, 2025
I read a lot and it is a thrill to discover things in the plot that I didn’t see coming. It still is comforting and nice to discover a happy ending, it’s perfection, even when it’s not what you expected or hoped for.
December 3, 2024
Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and Jillian Cantor for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The description intrigued me and to be honest the cover was different from many books I read.
Amelia loses her mom and her long time boyfriend and needs a change. A last minute leading role in a biopic is just what she needs. Until she meets Gloria Diamond and starts to realize there is more to her story than what has been told.
This book was interesting. There were a number of timelines, POVs and storylines going on between several points in the past, the present and researching the past.
This was a pro and con for me - every time there was momentum in a storyline, it would switch. It was a bit of a bummer but also difficult to not keep reading to get back to the other story line.
I cannot write a review without mentioning a parallel to Evelyn Hugo - there are differences of course and this book stands on its own two feet but there are similarities.
The description intrigued me and to be honest the cover was different from many books I read.
Amelia loses her mom and her long time boyfriend and needs a change. A last minute leading role in a biopic is just what she needs. Until she meets Gloria Diamond and starts to realize there is more to her story than what has been told.
This book was interesting. There were a number of timelines, POVs and storylines going on between several points in the past, the present and researching the past.
This was a pro and con for me - every time there was momentum in a storyline, it would switch. It was a bit of a bummer but also difficult to not keep reading to get back to the other story line.
I cannot write a review without mentioning a parallel to Evelyn Hugo - there are differences of course and this book stands on its own two feet but there are similarities.
December 3, 2024
The Greatest Lie of All
By: Jillian Cantor
Pub date: Dec 3, 2024
Publisher: Park Row
5 💎 💎💎💎💎
Absolutely AMAZING novel!
The latest novel by Cantor is another MUST read! Gloria Diamond is a romance author who is a bit of a recluse. She is best known for her romance novels inspired by her tragic love story.
💎
Amelia Grants is an actress who signs on the play the famous author in a movie. Part of the movie deal is that Amelia gets the chance to meet with Gloria to find out more about her than the tradition stuff posted.
💎
When they meet Gloria does not present the way “the world” sees her. She is cold, rude, and stand-offish and allows Amelia limited access to her. She also meets Gloria’s son, which provides tension, and some romance. He knows how his mother is, and the tension between everyone is felt in many levels.
💎
Already pre-ordered to add to my other Cantor books. Thank you Park Row for the gifted e-ARC.
#thegreatestlieofall, #jilliancantor, #parkrow, #stamperlady50
By: Jillian Cantor
Pub date: Dec 3, 2024
Publisher: Park Row
5 💎 💎💎💎💎
Absolutely AMAZING novel!
The latest novel by Cantor is another MUST read! Gloria Diamond is a romance author who is a bit of a recluse. She is best known for her romance novels inspired by her tragic love story.
💎
Amelia Grants is an actress who signs on the play the famous author in a movie. Part of the movie deal is that Amelia gets the chance to meet with Gloria to find out more about her than the tradition stuff posted.
💎
When they meet Gloria does not present the way “the world” sees her. She is cold, rude, and stand-offish and allows Amelia limited access to her. She also meets Gloria’s son, which provides tension, and some romance. He knows how his mother is, and the tension between everyone is felt in many levels.
💎
Already pre-ordered to add to my other Cantor books. Thank you Park Row for the gifted e-ARC.
#thegreatestlieofall, #jilliancantor, #parkrow, #stamperlady50
February 1, 2025
This story has an intriguing premise, focusing on the connection between the past and present. However, the execution leaves something to be desired. The characters, particularly in the present-day storyline, feel underdeveloped and fail to create a strong emotional connection. Their actions often lack depth, making it hard to fully invest in their journeys.
The past timeline also doesn’t provide as much depth as expected, missing an opportunity to deeply explore its influence on the characters and events in the present. This weakens the connection between the two timelines, making the story feel less cohesive.
While the ending does provide a satisfying resolution, it doesn't offer the depth or insight I hoped for, especially regarding the connections between the past and present. The story shows promise, but ultimately, it doesn't reach its full potential.
The past timeline also doesn’t provide as much depth as expected, missing an opportunity to deeply explore its influence on the characters and events in the present. This weakens the connection between the two timelines, making the story feel less cohesive.
While the ending does provide a satisfying resolution, it doesn't offer the depth or insight I hoped for, especially regarding the connections between the past and present. The story shows promise, but ultimately, it doesn't reach its full potential.
January 25, 2025
Unfortunately this wasn’t a hit for me like several other books by this author. 3 stars might be a bit generous. Didn’t hold my attention. Really struggled to care about the characters, especially Gloria.
Wanted more inside an author’s life vibes or inside the making of a movie vibes than I got.
Infidelity plays a role in the plot which might be where the story lost me. I completely understand that it is a real thing that happens, just feel like it is overused as a plot point. Find something else please. The story was based on misunderstandings and miscommunication. Speak up for what you want. Tell the man you are interested in that you have feelings!
Wanted more inside an author’s life vibes or inside the making of a movie vibes than I got.
Infidelity plays a role in the plot which might be where the story lost me. I completely understand that it is a real thing that happens, just feel like it is overused as a plot point. Find something else please. The story was based on misunderstandings and miscommunication. Speak up for what you want. Tell the man you are interested in that you have feelings!
April 8, 2025
4.75/5
If you liked The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you might wanna read this one! At first, I thought this was predictable but turns out it wasn't (or not as much as I thought it would be). I didn't get as attached to the characters as I did when I read TSHOEH but I definitely didn't wanna put this book down. Tears were streaming down my cheeks when I read the last chapters. I love stories filled with regrets & 'what ifs'.
If you liked The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, you might wanna read this one! At first, I thought this was predictable but turns out it wasn't (or not as much as I thought it would be). I didn't get as attached to the characters as I did when I read TSHOEH but I definitely didn't wanna put this book down. Tears were streaming down my cheeks when I read the last chapters. I love stories filled with regrets & 'what ifs'.
February 25, 2025
So enjoyable! A real page turner!!!
March 22, 2025
Surprisingly good. Random grab from the library.
December 11, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin/HTP the Hive for the arc.
This was a fantastic novel that I would recommend to anyone who enjoyed The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book had everything. Drama, Mystery. Suspense. Romance, and more. I especially loved the mystery element of this book. I was honestly hooked from the very first page, and I just had to know how the story was going to end. I was actually surprised about how the book ended as well, as the ending was different than I predicted it to be....which I think is a good thing?!
Additionally if you enjoy audiobooks, you may want to check out the audiobook version of this book which is narrated by the fabulous Karissa Vacker and Cassandra Campbell!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and HTP the Hive for the arc.
This was a fantastic novel that I would recommend to anyone who enjoyed The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This book had everything. Drama, Mystery. Suspense. Romance, and more. I especially loved the mystery element of this book. I was honestly hooked from the very first page, and I just had to know how the story was going to end. I was actually surprised about how the book ended as well, as the ending was different than I predicted it to be....which I think is a good thing?!
Additionally if you enjoy audiobooks, you may want to check out the audiobook version of this book which is narrated by the fabulous Karissa Vacker and Cassandra Campbell!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and HTP the Hive for the arc.
December 8, 2024
This was a compelling audiobook, but the very contrived melodrama was just too thick for me! Many of the main characters were left with loose ends -like where were the many family members — parents,grandparents ? I just did not find the novel impressive .
December 14, 2024
This is a beautiful story of friendships, mothers and daughters, and most of all love!!!!!!!!!! It is definitely one for the ages and one that you will fall in love with as I did.
January 21, 2025
Book explores the life of a woman who becomes a romance novelist
and how her real life affected her writing. One of her novels is
being made into a movie so the actress who is to portray the novelist
is also a main character.
Highly recommend.
and how her real life affected her writing. One of her novels is
being made into a movie so the actress who is to portray the novelist
is also a main character.
Highly recommend.
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