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Lies and Other Acts of Love
Dear Carolina was praised as “Southern fiction at its best.” Now author Kristy Woodson Harvey presents a new novel about what it really means to tell the truth . . .
After sixty years of marriage and five daughters, Lynn “Lovey” White knows that all of us, from time to time, need to use our little white lies.
Her granddaughter, Annabelle, on the other hand, is as truthful as they come. She always does the right thing—that is, until she dumps her hedge fund manager fiancé and marries a musician she has known for three days. After all, her grandparents, who fell in love at first sight, have shared a lifetime of happiness, even through her grandfather’s declining health.
But when Annabelle’s world starts to collapse around her, she discovers that nothing about her picture-perfect family is as it seems. And Lovey has to decide whether one more lie will make or break the ones she loves . . .
After sixty years of marriage and five daughters, Lynn “Lovey” White knows that all of us, from time to time, need to use our little white lies.
Her granddaughter, Annabelle, on the other hand, is as truthful as they come. She always does the right thing—that is, until she dumps her hedge fund manager fiancé and marries a musician she has known for three days. After all, her grandparents, who fell in love at first sight, have shared a lifetime of happiness, even through her grandfather’s declining health.
But when Annabelle’s world starts to collapse around her, she discovers that nothing about her picture-perfect family is as it seems. And Lovey has to decide whether one more lie will make or break the ones she loves . . .
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2016
656 people are currently reading
6510 people want to read
About the author
Kristy Woodson Harvey
17 books6,891 followersKristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of eleven novels including A Happier Life, The Summer of Songbirds, and The Peachtree Bluff Series. Many of her books have been optioned or are in development for television and film and have received numerous accolades, including Good Morning America’s Buzz Pick, Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Reads, Katie Couric’s Featured Books, and Joanna Garcia Swisher’s The Happy Place Read. Kristy is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize.
A Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism, her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Southern Living, Parade, Traditional Home, USA TODAY, and many more. She also holds a master’s in English, with a concentration in multicultural and transnational literature.
Kristy is the cocreator and cohost of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction with fellow New York Times Bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, and Patti Callahan Henry. She is also the co-founder of the interiors site Design Chic, with her mom, Beth Woodson.
She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband, son, and dog, Salt, where she is (always!) working on her next novel.
A Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism, her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Southern Living, Parade, Traditional Home, USA TODAY, and many more. She also holds a master’s in English, with a concentration in multicultural and transnational literature.
Kristy is the cocreator and cohost of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction with fellow New York Times Bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, and Patti Callahan Henry. She is also the co-founder of the interiors site Design Chic, with her mom, Beth Woodson.
She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband, son, and dog, Salt, where she is (always!) working on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
February 6, 2017
Thank you so much who everyone who took the time to read Lies and Other Acts of Love! I had the best time writing this novel and hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.
January 1, 2019
I did find it strange that everyone else calls it feelgood, sweet and all those fuzzy feelings. I found it rather depressing at times with all the cheating and heartache. And at the same time it was so sweet and filled with Church, and I was all, how are these perfect Christians?
To the book then, it had two POVS. I felt Lovey had the bigger part and Annabelle was in the shadow at times. I also felt that Lovey's big secret never truly was dealt with and I got angry at her in the end for not telling the truth. I also hated how she and her husband had to wait forever to get married, and that they loved each other so much! And still
Annabelle was, sigh, well I did like her, but the more I so of her the more this felt like she was living in the 50s. She was 22, about to get married, ditched him and married someone else. She was said to always keep another man in the wings so she could move on the next day. Because her entire life was built around men and she could not live if a man did not take care of her. I felt sorry for her then, without a man she was nothing. She also wanted to please her man at every time.
No other grandkids came to visit Lovey. It was always aunts and Annabelle. Where were they all? The aunts had such a big part and I have no idea about other kids or siblings.
Also, well, too much Church talk. How he guides the way and blah blah. Omg you are all cheaters and liars. I just can not do overly religious books. Do not even get me started on Priest Charming,
Narrator Janet Metzger
She saved this book. I liked her Lovey voice, and her Ann. She really brought the charm
To the book then, it had two POVS. I felt Lovey had the bigger part and Annabelle was in the shadow at times. I also felt that Lovey's big secret never truly was dealt with and I got angry at her in the end for not telling the truth. I also hated how she and her husband had to wait forever to get married, and that they loved each other so much! And still
Annabelle was, sigh, well I did like her, but the more I so of her the more this felt like she was living in the 50s. She was 22, about to get married, ditched him and married someone else. She was said to always keep another man in the wings so she could move on the next day. Because her entire life was built around men and she could not live if a man did not take care of her. I felt sorry for her then, without a man she was nothing. She also wanted to please her man at every time.
No other grandkids came to visit Lovey. It was always aunts and Annabelle. Where were they all? The aunts had such a big part and I have no idea about other kids or siblings.
Also, well, too much Church talk. How he guides the way and blah blah. Omg you are all cheaters and liars. I just can not do overly religious books. Do not even get me started on Priest Charming,
Narrator Janet Metzger
She saved this book. I liked her Lovey voice, and her Ann. She really brought the charm
January 12, 2016
If you love fully developed characters from the south and a beautiful grandmother/ granddaughter relationship ,have I got a novel for you . The advice and the memories were beautifully written. But there are some big twists in this novel which make you think a lot about the decisions you make in a relationship to make things work in a marriage or for family sake . This is novel so full of detail about love, and loss and Trust. I really lost myself in this book and just enjoyed every moment. Highly recommend!
July 25, 2016
Since I enjoyed Kristy Woodson Harvey's debut, Dear Carolina, I was looking forward to reading her sophomore novel. It also came highly recommended by readers whose opinions I greatly respect. I can definitely say I enjoyed this novel, as well. It had a good balance of lightheartedness and heaviness. Just when you think you know what is coming next, Kristy manages to stick in some game changers.
I liked the narrative switch-off between Annabelle and Lovey. I especially enjoyed reading about Lovey’s past and would have loved more of that than what was going on in the present for her. However, I still enjoyed hearing her perspective. Annabelle was fun and feisty, but I also felt like she needed a man in her life at all times. Being considerably older than her, I sometimes found it hard to relate to what she was thinking and feeling, knowing that she has so much time ahead of her.
The use of description and detail made everything feel so vivid and just pop off the page into my imagination. I could even hear the characters’ voices in my head.
Overall, it was a sweet story and a relaxing read. While I didn’t get as much time to read it straight through, it was easy to pick up where I left off. I would have liked for there to be an epilogue, but maybe there could be cameos in some of Kristy’s future novels.
And just in case Hollywood is looking for casting ideas...
Annabelle: AnnaSophia Robb
Holden: Gregg Sulkin
Ben: Aaron Tveit
Rob: Michael Cera
Lovey: Shirley Jones
Mrs. Taylor: Shirley MacLaine
Jean: Tracy Pollan
I liked the narrative switch-off between Annabelle and Lovey. I especially enjoyed reading about Lovey’s past and would have loved more of that than what was going on in the present for her. However, I still enjoyed hearing her perspective. Annabelle was fun and feisty, but I also felt like she needed a man in her life at all times. Being considerably older than her, I sometimes found it hard to relate to what she was thinking and feeling, knowing that she has so much time ahead of her.
The use of description and detail made everything feel so vivid and just pop off the page into my imagination. I could even hear the characters’ voices in my head.
Overall, it was a sweet story and a relaxing read. While I didn’t get as much time to read it straight through, it was easy to pick up where I left off. I would have liked for there to be an epilogue, but maybe there could be cameos in some of Kristy’s future novels.
And just in case Hollywood is looking for casting ideas...
Annabelle: AnnaSophia Robb
Holden: Gregg Sulkin
Ben: Aaron Tveit
Rob: Michael Cera
Lovey: Shirley Jones
Mrs. Taylor: Shirley MacLaine
Jean: Tracy Pollan
November 28, 2016
Winsome and wise, LIES AND OTHER ACTS OF LOVE shows us that true, strong marriages are forged as much out of pain as passion. Kristy Woodson Harvey treats both Annabelle, the young, naive heroine, and Lovey, the formidable matriarch, with skillful tenderness. Fans of Southern fiction, especially book clubs, will flock to this engaging, heartfelt story.
April 5, 2016
As a big fan of Kristy Woodson Harvey's first book, Dear Carolina, I was so excited to read this book, and I was not disappointed! Lies and Other Acts of Love is a wonderful story about a family whose love for each other forgives and thrives despite lies, both big and small. The story is told from two points of view; Annabelle, the granddaughter, who married her husband Ben within 3 days of meeting him; and Lovey, the grandmother, who is dealing with the illness of her beloved husband, Dan. Both women's stories are so rich, so full of love and heart. The book has a distinct southern charm, and you will instantly feel at home with the wonderful characters in this book. Lovey and Dan have created a perfect family filled with imperfect people, but will lies tear that precious family apart? When Annabelle uncovers lies, secrets, and betrayals, can she trust her heart, and risk it being broken? Although sometimes lies can destroy a family, can lies sometimes be the means to protect a family and make it stronger? And what about the lies we tell ourselves? Despite the serious subject that this book addresses, there are many humorous, light-hearted moments as well. But more than anything, you will fall in love with these charming but flawed characters. This lovely book will pull on your heartstrings; it will make you laugh, cry, and feel the love on its pages.
August 8, 2017
Dear Carolina, Kristy Woodson Harvey's debut novel, is one of my 2015 book favorites, so when she surprised me with a copy of her latest book, Lies and Other Acts of Love, due out in April 2016, I was over the moon with excitement. The story is told in the alternating viewpoints of Lovey, grandmother, and Annabelle, granddaughter, mostly in the present with some past woven in, too. I enjoyed every viewpoint equally, and I found the secrets held within the book to be page turners, especially the biggest secret in the family. KWH has great insight for writing about love and families. Her characters, while always complex and slightly flawed, are gorgeously developed. This was one of those books that had me savoring every word so much so that I found myself re-reading sections like the advice from Lovey at the beginning of each chapter. As a North Carolina native, the Salisbury, Bath, and Raleigh references were dear to me. This book had me reflecting on my own family; and as KWH says, there are no perfect people, but there are perfect families, no matter how they are made. I highly recommend this book for fans of charming southern fiction.
July 31, 2017
A southern summery feel-good novel. The story unfolds as told through a grandmother and her granddaughter; their relationships and how a family can survive even through the most difficult parts of life. 3.5 rating
March 3, 2022
Talented Southern storyteller, Kristy Woodson Harvey returns following her charming debut, Dear Carolina, with LIES AND OTHER ACTS OF LOVE, another heartwarming inter-generational tale of life, love, family, relationships, and marriage.
Filled with humor, reflections, wit, and wisdom—rich in character, this Southern gem will win your heart. “The lies that matter most are the ones we tell ourselves.”
Reflecting on the wisdom and life experiences obtained, we hear from two women:
Grandmother Lovey, age eighty-seven is Southern proper, a classic, affluent, with an eastern North Carolina accent and flair. A grand lady, she loves to impart her wisdom. Her mother told her that honesty was the most important thing in life.
The truth does not always set you free. The truth destroys lives and shatters the mirror. The truth is shameful and selfish, and better kept to oneself. A paperclip for our lives--White Lies. They are defibrillators that bring us back when we are on the brink of succumbing to the light.
However, Lovey always said true love was something you had to fight for. Her husband, (D-Daddy) has dementia. Living in the past. Slipping into old memories. He is fading away. The girls want them to move to an assisted living and sell the house. Some days he does not remember anyone. Their five grown daughters want the best for their parents.
Annabelle-the granddaughter, age twenty-three, a college graduate. Lovey is the most influential woman in her life. D-daddy (her grandfather) is a kind man. Generous, humble, forgiving, faithful, and true. A man who knew his values and stuck by them. Annabelle is a hopeless romantic.
She was engaged to Holden. She dumped her hedge fund manager fiancé and marries a musician—Ben, she has known for three days. She called off a wedding, three years in the making with a thirty-second phone call and zero explanation after the save the date announcements were mailed.
Holden was the dependable one. Predictable. He would never cheat and his secretary would always buy her something from Cartier for her birthday. He would also be on his cell phone with always business first. Not what she wanted.
She meets the good-looking, adventure-RV hippie-loving musician, Ben. Their free-spirited lifestyle touring, ended when Ben moves them to his charming hometown of Salisbury, NC to help his dad (an accountant) with his business. They are a wealthy family and the couple move into the pool house. She loves Ben and they are madly in love. They have passion.
Annabelle wants a baby. Ben’s mom is a sex therapist, and she is feeling pressure to have a baby -- feeling a bit insecure. They have tried everything, and it is not working. In the meantime, she runs into Holden and he continues to text her –he wants her back.
Though Holden couldn’t get her blood pressure up quite like Ben, he was a master of the romantic gesture. He could whisk her off to Paris at a moment’s notice.
She needs to be busy and involved. She begins working at a nearby church, St. Paul’s. This will take her mind off the pregnancy. She loves her job, and she grows fond of the minister-her new boss, Father Rob, affectionately nicknamed Priest Charming by his parishioners. She had taken a part-time job which turned into full-time. She finds her work fulfilling. (maybe something more here). . .
However, she needs friends, living in a small new town. She becomes involved in fundraising and a local girl befriends her. Turns out she betrays her, as well as her husband. She is devastated. She has choices to make. Decisions. She begins second-guessing her entire life.
In the meantime, her grandmother takes a fall, and she is in the hospital. She discovers yet another shocker about her family, a secret—making her rethink marriage, loyalty, and love. She had married for love and look where it had gotten her. Miserable. Disgusted. She had to let go of those Cinderella dreams she had since childhood.
Flashing back and forth, with alternating chapters from Lovey and her life as a young girl, (1945-present) her childhood, her strict parents, her love, dating, the war, college, and their reconnection--- ultimately the marriage to Dan—with five daughters and one lovely granddaughter, Annabelle. The challenges of raising a family and a marriage.
We hear the innermost thoughts of Annabelle. She is close to her grandmother. She begins thinking about her life when she is faced with her own betrayal and lies. Her marriage is not what she planned. She is done with the heart-racing thing.
From the outside, Annabelle has always put her grandparents on a pedestal. Her grandparents are the perfect couple, madly in love. However, when she discovers there is a flaw, she is disappointed. What happened to her grandparents in the past? They protected their family, the best way they could.
What if we had taken a different road? Once you know a thing so huge, you can never unknow it again. Sometimes we become what we hate. Are some things in life better left unsaid?
Thought-provoking: Each chapter in the novel begins with a lesson or observation that serves as a theme. Life is about choices. In between Lovey and Annabelle, we hear from Sally, Jean, and the other daughters. They have problems as well. From loss, love, and hope. People are flawed and imperfect. Marriage, relationships, family, infidelity, divorce, pregnancy, miscarriage, affairs, lies, secrets, betrayal, and dysfunction. We grow from our misfortunes.
“The meaning of deeper love—the kind of love that ebbs and flows, fights, and forgives. The kind of love that takes a bullet, recovers in the ICU, and lives to tell about it.”
I loved Lovey! My favorite part was her story. Priceless. Often, younger generations have no clue about the sacrifices, and obstacles our parents and grandparents had to face in a time when things were different. I also loved Cameron—she was rude and sarcastic with a big heart. If you fell in love with Dear Carolina, readers will love Lies and Other Acts of Love!
Kristy does an outstanding job with character development and knows the South! Some parts are "laugh out loud!" A Charlotte, North Carolina native, loved visiting familiar places, mixed with Kristy’s wit and insights. Enjoyed the Salisbury, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro connections.
Fans of Dorothea Benton Frank, Patti Callahan Henry, Wendy Wax, Karen White, and Joshilyn Jackson, (all my favorites) will delight! For mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and granddaughters- an ideal choice for book clubs, group discussions, and of course a perfect gift for Mother’s Day.
PS. I loved Montaldo’s reference. I used to shop at Montaldo’s in Winston-Salem, NC years ago – the best shoes!
Look for Slightly South of Simple: A Novel coming April 25, 2017! Exploring the powerful bonds between sisters and mothers and daughters, this engaging novel is filled with Southern charm, emotional drama, and plenty of heart.
# JDCMustReadBooks
A special thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Top 50 Books of 2016!
Filled with humor, reflections, wit, and wisdom—rich in character, this Southern gem will win your heart. “The lies that matter most are the ones we tell ourselves.”
Reflecting on the wisdom and life experiences obtained, we hear from two women:
Grandmother Lovey, age eighty-seven is Southern proper, a classic, affluent, with an eastern North Carolina accent and flair. A grand lady, she loves to impart her wisdom. Her mother told her that honesty was the most important thing in life.
The truth does not always set you free. The truth destroys lives and shatters the mirror. The truth is shameful and selfish, and better kept to oneself. A paperclip for our lives--White Lies. They are defibrillators that bring us back when we are on the brink of succumbing to the light.
However, Lovey always said true love was something you had to fight for. Her husband, (D-Daddy) has dementia. Living in the past. Slipping into old memories. He is fading away. The girls want them to move to an assisted living and sell the house. Some days he does not remember anyone. Their five grown daughters want the best for their parents.
Annabelle-the granddaughter, age twenty-three, a college graduate. Lovey is the most influential woman in her life. D-daddy (her grandfather) is a kind man. Generous, humble, forgiving, faithful, and true. A man who knew his values and stuck by them. Annabelle is a hopeless romantic.
She was engaged to Holden. She dumped her hedge fund manager fiancé and marries a musician—Ben, she has known for three days. She called off a wedding, three years in the making with a thirty-second phone call and zero explanation after the save the date announcements were mailed.
Holden was the dependable one. Predictable. He would never cheat and his secretary would always buy her something from Cartier for her birthday. He would also be on his cell phone with always business first. Not what she wanted.
She meets the good-looking, adventure-RV hippie-loving musician, Ben. Their free-spirited lifestyle touring, ended when Ben moves them to his charming hometown of Salisbury, NC to help his dad (an accountant) with his business. They are a wealthy family and the couple move into the pool house. She loves Ben and they are madly in love. They have passion.
Annabelle wants a baby. Ben’s mom is a sex therapist, and she is feeling pressure to have a baby -- feeling a bit insecure. They have tried everything, and it is not working. In the meantime, she runs into Holden and he continues to text her –he wants her back.
Though Holden couldn’t get her blood pressure up quite like Ben, he was a master of the romantic gesture. He could whisk her off to Paris at a moment’s notice.
She needs to be busy and involved. She begins working at a nearby church, St. Paul’s. This will take her mind off the pregnancy. She loves her job, and she grows fond of the minister-her new boss, Father Rob, affectionately nicknamed Priest Charming by his parishioners. She had taken a part-time job which turned into full-time. She finds her work fulfilling. (maybe something more here). . .
However, she needs friends, living in a small new town. She becomes involved in fundraising and a local girl befriends her. Turns out she betrays her, as well as her husband. She is devastated. She has choices to make. Decisions. She begins second-guessing her entire life.
In the meantime, her grandmother takes a fall, and she is in the hospital. She discovers yet another shocker about her family, a secret—making her rethink marriage, loyalty, and love. She had married for love and look where it had gotten her. Miserable. Disgusted. She had to let go of those Cinderella dreams she had since childhood.
Flashing back and forth, with alternating chapters from Lovey and her life as a young girl, (1945-present) her childhood, her strict parents, her love, dating, the war, college, and their reconnection--- ultimately the marriage to Dan—with five daughters and one lovely granddaughter, Annabelle. The challenges of raising a family and a marriage.
We hear the innermost thoughts of Annabelle. She is close to her grandmother. She begins thinking about her life when she is faced with her own betrayal and lies. Her marriage is not what she planned. She is done with the heart-racing thing.
From the outside, Annabelle has always put her grandparents on a pedestal. Her grandparents are the perfect couple, madly in love. However, when she discovers there is a flaw, she is disappointed. What happened to her grandparents in the past? They protected their family, the best way they could.
What if we had taken a different road? Once you know a thing so huge, you can never unknow it again. Sometimes we become what we hate. Are some things in life better left unsaid?
Thought-provoking: Each chapter in the novel begins with a lesson or observation that serves as a theme. Life is about choices. In between Lovey and Annabelle, we hear from Sally, Jean, and the other daughters. They have problems as well. From loss, love, and hope. People are flawed and imperfect. Marriage, relationships, family, infidelity, divorce, pregnancy, miscarriage, affairs, lies, secrets, betrayal, and dysfunction. We grow from our misfortunes.
“The meaning of deeper love—the kind of love that ebbs and flows, fights, and forgives. The kind of love that takes a bullet, recovers in the ICU, and lives to tell about it.”
I loved Lovey! My favorite part was her story. Priceless. Often, younger generations have no clue about the sacrifices, and obstacles our parents and grandparents had to face in a time when things were different. I also loved Cameron—she was rude and sarcastic with a big heart. If you fell in love with Dear Carolina, readers will love Lies and Other Acts of Love!
Kristy does an outstanding job with character development and knows the South! Some parts are "laugh out loud!" A Charlotte, North Carolina native, loved visiting familiar places, mixed with Kristy’s wit and insights. Enjoyed the Salisbury, Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro connections.
Fans of Dorothea Benton Frank, Patti Callahan Henry, Wendy Wax, Karen White, and Joshilyn Jackson, (all my favorites) will delight! For mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and granddaughters- an ideal choice for book clubs, group discussions, and of course a perfect gift for Mother’s Day.
PS. I loved Montaldo’s reference. I used to shop at Montaldo’s in Winston-Salem, NC years ago – the best shoes!
Look for Slightly South of Simple: A Novel coming April 25, 2017! Exploring the powerful bonds between sisters and mothers and daughters, this engaging novel is filled with Southern charm, emotional drama, and plenty of heart.
# JDCMustReadBooks
A special thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Top 50 Books of 2016!
June 20, 2016
3.5 stars
I won this book in a blog giveaway (thanks Bookfan Mary!) and I thoroughly enjoyed this southern multigenerational tale of secrets, "lies", and love in all its forms. For some reason the southern fiction genre says summer to me. It's not my usual fare but I liked immersing myself in this family's engaging and heartfelt stories. No family is perfect but I would have loved to have Lovey as my grandmother and Annabelle's sisters as my own.
The ending was a little too pat (I was left scratching my head a little on Annabelle's choice....can't say I saw that coming).
Ms Harvey is a worthy addition to other southern fiction authors I enjoy and I'd definitely consider reading her other works.
I won this book in a blog giveaway (thanks Bookfan Mary!) and I thoroughly enjoyed this southern multigenerational tale of secrets, "lies", and love in all its forms. For some reason the southern fiction genre says summer to me. It's not my usual fare but I liked immersing myself in this family's engaging and heartfelt stories. No family is perfect but I would have loved to have Lovey as my grandmother and Annabelle's sisters as my own.
The ending was a little too pat (I was left scratching my head a little on Annabelle's choice....can't say I saw that coming).
Ms Harvey is a worthy addition to other southern fiction authors I enjoy and I'd definitely consider reading her other works.
March 6, 2016
This book is one of the best books I've read in a very long time. Full review to come!
March 3, 2016
Hands down, this is an amazing piece of storytelling from beginning to end. I have LOVED this book from the moment I cracked open my copy.
After reading Dear Carolina and falling in love with that storytelling masterpiece, I didn't think it was possible for Kristy to go above my expectations and write what is now one of my favorite books in 2016. I couldn't recommend this book more, even if I tried and I will!
The intricate web of characters Kristy introduces you to one by one, will give you a look into the south and how families truly are - all through the eyes of Annabelle and Lovey.
You will embrace Annabelle for her whimsical love for life, her passion, and for truly living her life the way she feels will make her whole and not just what's expected of her.
Lovey is truly an amazing woman who will do anything for the family and friends that she loves.
Little white lies are woven through out the fabric that binds the pages of this families story together. You will see that no matter what may have happened in the past, what may be happening in the present and what the future looks to hold, you can weather any storm and still love one another just the same as you did before you found out that little secret.
Annabelle thought that Lovey was perfect, the pillar that she looked up to until one day she learns something (at least she thinks she knows) about Lovey that makes her more human, someone that isn't perfect and makes her own share of mistakes.
Then Annabelle has to face one act of turmoil after another, until she is on the verge of breaking. How will she survive all that is being thrown at her? Will she crumble?
I will not give away the amazing webs that are woven throughout, you will need to experience this breathtaking story telling for yourself.
After reading Dear Carolina and falling in love with that storytelling masterpiece, I didn't think it was possible for Kristy to go above my expectations and write what is now one of my favorite books in 2016. I couldn't recommend this book more, even if I tried and I will!
The intricate web of characters Kristy introduces you to one by one, will give you a look into the south and how families truly are - all through the eyes of Annabelle and Lovey.
You will embrace Annabelle for her whimsical love for life, her passion, and for truly living her life the way she feels will make her whole and not just what's expected of her.
Lovey is truly an amazing woman who will do anything for the family and friends that she loves.
Little white lies are woven through out the fabric that binds the pages of this families story together. You will see that no matter what may have happened in the past, what may be happening in the present and what the future looks to hold, you can weather any storm and still love one another just the same as you did before you found out that little secret.
Annabelle thought that Lovey was perfect, the pillar that she looked up to until one day she learns something (at least she thinks she knows) about Lovey that makes her more human, someone that isn't perfect and makes her own share of mistakes.
Then Annabelle has to face one act of turmoil after another, until she is on the verge of breaking. How will she survive all that is being thrown at her? Will she crumble?
I will not give away the amazing webs that are woven throughout, you will need to experience this breathtaking story telling for yourself.
April 29, 2020
Kristy Woodson Harvey is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to Southern Fiction. She has managed to find her voice in that genre and she continues to knock it out of the park with her books. I loved Dear Carolina and I also loved Lies and Other Acts of Love. I feel that the title is perfection, as was the book. Kristy Woodson Harvey captures the charm of, essence of and the depth in characters that make for page turning and emotional reads. Her books cause you to look within your heart and to think about yourself as one of the characters...you think about what you would do, how you would react and how to proceed given the information. This was a book where I laughed, cried and know that I will be thinking about it long after today. 5 stars
April 2, 2016
Outstanding! Kristy Woodson Harvey books are an auto-buy! Her characters are complicated and interesting. I love her books!
April 15, 2016
Review
This book totally took me by surprise in how much I loved it. I mean of course I thought I would enjoy it, hence I requested it for review but I wasn't expecting to just completely be sucked in and attached to these characters. However, that is exactly what happened and I am so thankful for it.
Lies and Other Acts of Love has so many different aspects to it. It has romance, family drama, friendships, can be a bit heavy or be a bit funnier when needed. It really hit on so many different levels I was never bored. Also, we get dual perspectives of grandmother Lovey and granddaughter Annabelle. I love multiple POVs anyway but I loved the difference in ages here and how they viewed the world and the same situations. On top of the dual POVs we also get flashbacks to Lovey when she was younger and her story growing up, falling in love and making her way. I thought they fit in beautifully to the story and all came together in the end.
Family dramas never fail to entice me. While it wasn't necessarily the main issue, we did see Lovey's 5 daughters quite often dealing with their own lives and their aging parents and the tough decisions that need to be made at that point in life. Also, the bond between Lovey and Annabelle was wonderful. They really loved each other and Annabelle really respected and cared what Lovey thought and used it to help guide her through life.
My favorite was that all of the characters here were flawed and made mistakes. It was true to life to me (maybe the tiniest bit dramatic, but hey its fiction people!) all the decisions they had to make, how they handled the problems that faced them - good or bad. One of my favorite parts was getting to see through Lovey's eyes what she thought, what she would do or what she could tell from just being a wise old Southern woman about a situation but letting her family make the mistakes they needed to to learn their own life lessons.
A story set in the South will get me every time. This one was no different and oozed Southern charm. It also had a heavy dose of faith thrown in which was a big part of Lovey and Annabelle's life.
Romance! Don't forget the romance! We get to follow Annabelle's journey and the different men in her life. We also get treated to Lovey's journey of love with her husband Dan through flashbacks. There was heartbreak, swoon worthy moments and some HEA thrown in.
All of this was done with such beautiful writing, perfect pacing and tied in the past and present in a meaningful way. I am super excited to pick up Kristy Woodson Harvey's debut Dear Carolina after loving this one so much.This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
This book totally took me by surprise in how much I loved it. I mean of course I thought I would enjoy it, hence I requested it for review but I wasn't expecting to just completely be sucked in and attached to these characters. However, that is exactly what happened and I am so thankful for it.
Lies and Other Acts of Love has so many different aspects to it. It has romance, family drama, friendships, can be a bit heavy or be a bit funnier when needed. It really hit on so many different levels I was never bored. Also, we get dual perspectives of grandmother Lovey and granddaughter Annabelle. I love multiple POVs anyway but I loved the difference in ages here and how they viewed the world and the same situations. On top of the dual POVs we also get flashbacks to Lovey when she was younger and her story growing up, falling in love and making her way. I thought they fit in beautifully to the story and all came together in the end.
Family dramas never fail to entice me. While it wasn't necessarily the main issue, we did see Lovey's 5 daughters quite often dealing with their own lives and their aging parents and the tough decisions that need to be made at that point in life. Also, the bond between Lovey and Annabelle was wonderful. They really loved each other and Annabelle really respected and cared what Lovey thought and used it to help guide her through life.
My favorite was that all of the characters here were flawed and made mistakes. It was true to life to me (maybe the tiniest bit dramatic, but hey its fiction people!) all the decisions they had to make, how they handled the problems that faced them - good or bad. One of my favorite parts was getting to see through Lovey's eyes what she thought, what she would do or what she could tell from just being a wise old Southern woman about a situation but letting her family make the mistakes they needed to to learn their own life lessons.
A story set in the South will get me every time. This one was no different and oozed Southern charm. It also had a heavy dose of faith thrown in which was a big part of Lovey and Annabelle's life.
Romance! Don't forget the romance! We get to follow Annabelle's journey and the different men in her life. We also get treated to Lovey's journey of love with her husband Dan through flashbacks. There was heartbreak, swoon worthy moments and some HEA thrown in.
All of this was done with such beautiful writing, perfect pacing and tied in the past and present in a meaningful way. I am super excited to pick up Kristy Woodson Harvey's debut Dear Carolina after loving this one so much.This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog
June 9, 2017
I really enjoyed this book and it was all based in NC. Which is where I live now. I loved all the NC references such as: Salisbury, Raleigh, Bath (the city), Charlotte and the best of all Krispy Kreme donuts (my personal favorite!). Lol
October 10, 2015
Review to come later. Manuscript read.
May 10, 2022
KWH can sure teach you life lessons like no one else. I absolutley love to read her books, because I know I'm in for a treat with a local setting, this time Bath, NC. She also weaves the past and present together beautifully. And the Southern accent on the audio version was beautiful to hear.
May 9, 2024
I'm so happy to have discovered this author! The southern Elin Hilderbrand! Loved it!
April 5, 2016
Lies and Other Acts of Love is a multi-generational tale of love, loss and protecting those you love the most. We met Lovey who is trying to maintain the little independence that she has left while caring for her husband who isn’t great health-wise. She loves all her children and grandchildren but she has always had a special place in her heart for Annabelle. Annabelle has always done what is expected of her but when she ditches her fiancée and marries a man she hardly knows all she does is look for acceptance from her Lovey.
Told in alternating storylines by Lovey and Annabelle we see how these two are very much alike. Lovey tells her story of defying her parents when it came to traveling but especially when it came to her love life. She fell in love with her future husband when they were kids and always knew he was meant for her. No matter time nor distance she knew there wasn’t anyone who compared to him. While on the other hand Annabelle has always been the apple of her grandmothers eye, she was the one most like Lovey in more ways than not. We see Annabelle’s story and how she came to the decision to follow her heart and to do what she wanted instead of what the family expected. We see her marriage to a man who she barely knew and what becomes of it.
I’m a believer in everything happens for a reason. While everything might be picture perfect on the surface both Annabelle and Lovey have dealt with heartache and loss, and while Lovey has always wanted Annabelle to have the best she soon finds out that Annabelle has discovered a secret she never wanted anyone to know. We all tell white lies but sometimes they snowball into secrets that once discovered will rock a family to its core. So when Annabelle discovers Loveys lie, she soon thinks her Lovey isn’t who she has always built her up to be. And Lovey being who she is will take the brunt of it all just to maintain the imagine of those she loves the most.
Lies and Other Acts of Love is a touching tale that will linger way after the last page. It’s a story of family and how in the end you will protect the ones you love even if it means sacrificing oneself. Kristy Woodson Harvey continues to bring us wonderfully written Southern fiction that continues to touch the soul with characters that are unforgettable; this is another winner and one that should be read by all.
Told in alternating storylines by Lovey and Annabelle we see how these two are very much alike. Lovey tells her story of defying her parents when it came to traveling but especially when it came to her love life. She fell in love with her future husband when they were kids and always knew he was meant for her. No matter time nor distance she knew there wasn’t anyone who compared to him. While on the other hand Annabelle has always been the apple of her grandmothers eye, she was the one most like Lovey in more ways than not. We see Annabelle’s story and how she came to the decision to follow her heart and to do what she wanted instead of what the family expected. We see her marriage to a man who she barely knew and what becomes of it.
I’m a believer in everything happens for a reason. While everything might be picture perfect on the surface both Annabelle and Lovey have dealt with heartache and loss, and while Lovey has always wanted Annabelle to have the best she soon finds out that Annabelle has discovered a secret she never wanted anyone to know. We all tell white lies but sometimes they snowball into secrets that once discovered will rock a family to its core. So when Annabelle discovers Loveys lie, she soon thinks her Lovey isn’t who she has always built her up to be. And Lovey being who she is will take the brunt of it all just to maintain the imagine of those she loves the most.
Lies and Other Acts of Love is a touching tale that will linger way after the last page. It’s a story of family and how in the end you will protect the ones you love even if it means sacrificing oneself. Kristy Woodson Harvey continues to bring us wonderfully written Southern fiction that continues to touch the soul with characters that are unforgettable; this is another winner and one that should be read by all.
January 17, 2016
Dear Carolina was one of my top 10 books of 2015 so I was very excited to get an arc of Kristy's Woodson Harvey's new book Lies and other Acts of Love. Even though it's very early in 2016, I already know that this book will be one of my top 10 books for 2016. It is a fantastic story full of wonderful Southern women. I live in North Carolina and I know these women - Kristy's characters are so real that they are just like the women that I interact with in my life.
The book is about family and love and the lies that we tell in our families - not big lies but the little white lies that hold our families together. The story is told by Lovey, the grandmother of the family who is dealing with the impaired health of her husband Dan and her grand-daughter Annabelle, who has just left her rich fiance to marry a musician she has only known for 3 days. Also part of the story are Lovey's five daughters but the story is told in alternating chapters by Lovey and Annabelle. As the story of Lovey's past and Annabelle's current life unfold, some family secrets are uncovered and Annabelle must decide how to deal with her newfound knowledge and how it will affect her family.
This is a novel full of wonderful characters, bits of wisdom from Lovey, laughs and a lot of tears. I have to admit that I cried several times during the book but at the end of the book, I was so happy that I got to know two wonderful characters who will stay in my mind long after the last page of the book. Thank you Kristy for creating such wonderful characters and a fantastic story.
The book is about family and love and the lies that we tell in our families - not big lies but the little white lies that hold our families together. The story is told by Lovey, the grandmother of the family who is dealing with the impaired health of her husband Dan and her grand-daughter Annabelle, who has just left her rich fiance to marry a musician she has only known for 3 days. Also part of the story are Lovey's five daughters but the story is told in alternating chapters by Lovey and Annabelle. As the story of Lovey's past and Annabelle's current life unfold, some family secrets are uncovered and Annabelle must decide how to deal with her newfound knowledge and how it will affect her family.
This is a novel full of wonderful characters, bits of wisdom from Lovey, laughs and a lot of tears. I have to admit that I cried several times during the book but at the end of the book, I was so happy that I got to know two wonderful characters who will stay in my mind long after the last page of the book. Thank you Kristy for creating such wonderful characters and a fantastic story.
August 25, 2016
Having previously read Kristy Woodson Harvey's debut novel, Dear Carolina, I was anxious for another dose of her special talent for telling family stories that touch the heart and give you "the warm fuzzies" This is a North Carolina tale of Lovey White, mother of five daughters and grandmother of Annabelle. Lovey has secrets that no one in the family know about.
Annabelle dumps her "perfect" boyfriend and on sudden impulse marries a musician, who she has fallen head over heels in love with. What follows is her realization that romance is not the only important thing in a marriage. When lies are uncovered, will Annabelle reveal them to her family. Will she be brave enough to make the right decisions for her own future and her family.
This book is like a tall drink of sweet tea on a hot Summer night. You finish it totally satisfied.
Annabelle dumps her "perfect" boyfriend and on sudden impulse marries a musician, who she has fallen head over heels in love with. What follows is her realization that romance is not the only important thing in a marriage. When lies are uncovered, will Annabelle reveal them to her family. Will she be brave enough to make the right decisions for her own future and her family.
This book is like a tall drink of sweet tea on a hot Summer night. You finish it totally satisfied.
March 24, 2017
I was given a signed copy of this book by a friend of mine and then it was picked for my Ladies Book Club, so I had two reasons to want to read this book.
Well it wasn't as good as I hoped. I love southern authors and was hoping this would be a good read..
First of all the characters were a little shallow for me and the story line was a bit predictable. I guessed what was going to happened before it did and was frustrated with one of the main characters (Annabelle) and her choices and her predictable actions.
I did like Lovey the grandmother and her story but again, predictable.
The story line to me was a little "too good to be true".
I really pushed it to give three stars.
Well it wasn't as good as I hoped. I love southern authors and was hoping this would be a good read..
First of all the characters were a little shallow for me and the story line was a bit predictable. I guessed what was going to happened before it did and was frustrated with one of the main characters (Annabelle) and her choices and her predictable actions.
I did like Lovey the grandmother and her story but again, predictable.
The story line to me was a little "too good to be true".
I really pushed it to give three stars.
Read
April 3, 2016Such such a beautiful book. Yet again Woodson Harvey has captured the essence of family and the beauty of North Carolina living. Her stories weave together the strains that secrets cause on relationships and the way that love can more often than not pull you through. True love. My full review will be written in the coming weeks, but I had to share this now as I finished reading about 30 minutes ago.
March 30, 2016
As a huge fan of Dear Carolina, I was very excited to read more from Kristy Woodson Harvey. Her prose boasts a voice that is as endearing as it is unique. Lies and Other Acts of Love is a stand-out novel that will have audiences captivated by the expertly woven, generational storylines and the universal truth that love and family are eternal.
January 15, 2016
Once again, KWH has created an intricate, intriguing family story. Secrets & choices that one family member makes can affect everyone for years to come but maybe not in the negative connotation you might think.
January 13, 2016
Harvey is a rising star in Southern fiction!
June 27, 2019
This was a pretty good book. It was a bit boring at times, but would pick back up. Overall, I enjoyed it.
May 23, 2020
All's well that ends well.
April 7, 2016
This review was originally posted on www.125pages.com
Lies and Other Acts of Love had two great stories in it. Octogenarian Lovey and her granddaughter Annabelle. I really liked each story arc, separately. However, when woven together it made a bit of a mishmash out of the flow. On their own, either story would have popped, but the way it was presented, with multi-pov, it hampered the storytelling. Lovey's story tells of her upbringing and the love she and her husband of 60 plus years shared. Annabelle's arc showed a girl in the flush of true love. She left her boring fiancé for a musician she met and they ran off to Vegas and married after only knowing each other three days. But, all is not perfect in either woman's life and they must each decide if love is more important than the truth.
As I mentioned I really enjoyed the plot of each separate narrator. Lovey's story would have made a great family saga, and Annabelle's would have been a great contemporary romance. But the blending of the two brought each side down. I liked the writing of Kristy Woodson Harvey. She was able to make each character distinct and real. The pacing had a few issues as it went from Lovey's past to the current and at times it seemed disjointed. The world created also suffered from this double story telling. Each person was not able to have a fully fleshed out world as it competed with the other pov. The emotions were strong in Lies and Other Acts of Love. I did feel with the characters and was genuinely upset with some of the actions taken. The characters were also great. Distinct and with their own voices, but they drowned each other out in the telling.
I did enjoy Lies and Other Acts of Love, I just would have liked it more if it was one story not two wrapped around each other. Each tale competed with the other so that no one part was able to shine. I also disliked "the big secret". It was never fully fleshed out and made no real dent in the story. Kristy Woodson Harvey can write, however if focused on one main narrator would be more powerful.
Favorite lines - My momma always told me that honesty was the most important thing in life. But I’ve never understood why people are so hell-bent on honesty. It’s not the truth that sets you free. The truth is the thing that destroys lives, that shatters the mirror. The truth is selfish and shameful, and better kept to oneself. In fact, I’m quite sure that the only things that paper-clip any of our lives together are the white lies. They are the defibrillators that bring us back when we were on the brink of succumbing to the light.
Biggest cliché - We are in love, so nothing can hurt us.
Have you read Lies and Other Acts of Love, or added it to your TBR?This book was most likely received free from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lies and Other Acts of Love had two great stories in it. Octogenarian Lovey and her granddaughter Annabelle. I really liked each story arc, separately. However, when woven together it made a bit of a mishmash out of the flow. On their own, either story would have popped, but the way it was presented, with multi-pov, it hampered the storytelling. Lovey's story tells of her upbringing and the love she and her husband of 60 plus years shared. Annabelle's arc showed a girl in the flush of true love. She left her boring fiancé for a musician she met and they ran off to Vegas and married after only knowing each other three days. But, all is not perfect in either woman's life and they must each decide if love is more important than the truth.As I mentioned I really enjoyed the plot of each separate narrator. Lovey's story would have made a great family saga, and Annabelle's would have been a great contemporary romance. But the blending of the two brought each side down. I liked the writing of Kristy Woodson Harvey. She was able to make each character distinct and real. The pacing had a few issues as it went from Lovey's past to the current and at times it seemed disjointed. The world created also suffered from this double story telling. Each person was not able to have a fully fleshed out world as it competed with the other pov. The emotions were strong in Lies and Other Acts of Love. I did feel with the characters and was genuinely upset with some of the actions taken. The characters were also great. Distinct and with their own voices, but they drowned each other out in the telling.
I did enjoy Lies and Other Acts of Love, I just would have liked it more if it was one story not two wrapped around each other. Each tale competed with the other so that no one part was able to shine. I also disliked "the big secret". It was never fully fleshed out and made no real dent in the story. Kristy Woodson Harvey can write, however if focused on one main narrator would be more powerful.
Favorite lines - My momma always told me that honesty was the most important thing in life. But I’ve never understood why people are so hell-bent on honesty. It’s not the truth that sets you free. The truth is the thing that destroys lives, that shatters the mirror. The truth is selfish and shameful, and better kept to oneself. In fact, I’m quite sure that the only things that paper-clip any of our lives together are the white lies. They are the defibrillators that bring us back when we were on the brink of succumbing to the light.
Biggest cliché - We are in love, so nothing can hurt us.
Have you read Lies and Other Acts of Love, or added it to your TBR?This book was most likely received free from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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