What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lie: When DNA Reveals the Family Secret
A simple DNA test sparks a journey of self-discovery.
Jahana continues to struggle with her grief a year after her mother's death. She wishes she knew her maternal relatives, but her mother refused to talk about them.
To help her move on, Jahana's husband buys her a DNA kit.
When the results come in, she discovers more than she bargained for.
Her DNA reveals a family secret she would like to ignore, but can't.
The Lie is too big.
Jahana continues to struggle with her grief a year after her mother's death. She wishes she knew her maternal relatives, but her mother refused to talk about them.
To help her move on, Jahana's husband buys her a DNA kit.
When the results come in, she discovers more than she bargained for.
Her DNA reveals a family secret she would like to ignore, but can't.
The Lie is too big.
- GenresFiction
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2019
107 people are currently reading
783 people want to read
About the author
Heather Dawn Gray
5 books31 followersThere are two different sides to Heather Dawn Gray's writing. Some might call it an inability to focus, she calls it the need to explore creativity from different angles.
On one hand she fashions genealogical fiction out of the real stories behind genetic testing. Her crime fiction novels offer a new perspective on how a DNA test changes lives. A career in medical laboratory medicine and her own results from a genetic test, inspired Heather to write three novels exploring the current phenomenon of DNA testing. And there just may be at least one more genealogical crime fiction novel percolating behind the scenes.
On the other hand, Heather also writes children's books based on the real life of her grand-dog Maddie, who suddenly went blind at four years old. Despite her challenges, Maddie approaches each day with a smile in her heart and a belief that anything is possible. Through these children's books, Maddie continues to remind adults and children alike, that even the darkest day can be the best day ever. The first book in the series has been recently published on Amazon.
Currently residing in Canada, Heather writes and explores wherever her heart and budget take her.
On one hand she fashions genealogical fiction out of the real stories behind genetic testing. Her crime fiction novels offer a new perspective on how a DNA test changes lives. A career in medical laboratory medicine and her own results from a genetic test, inspired Heather to write three novels exploring the current phenomenon of DNA testing. And there just may be at least one more genealogical crime fiction novel percolating behind the scenes.
On the other hand, Heather also writes children's books based on the real life of her grand-dog Maddie, who suddenly went blind at four years old. Despite her challenges, Maddie approaches each day with a smile in her heart and a belief that anything is possible. Through these children's books, Maddie continues to remind adults and children alike, that even the darkest day can be the best day ever. The first book in the series has been recently published on Amazon.
Currently residing in Canada, Heather writes and explores wherever her heart and budget take her.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
November 24, 2020
The Lie: When DNA Reveals the Family Secret is not my typical choice of book – but it’s excellent nonetheless!
A family drama turns thriller when Jahana receives her long-awaited DNA results, her whole life is turned upside down. While he tries to keep the results to herself, not wanting to upset her family about it before she understands what it all means, she also has to chase down rabbit holes to figure out who she truly is.
A book about love and family, faith and secrets, and that which binds us all together.
Gray’s writing is easy and concise, with enough of a pace to keep us interested but still stopping to take in the sights and create a lovely picture of Jahana’s lovely family. It was definitely a pleasure to read.
Faith and ancestry features heavily in this book, which was fascinating to me because it’s not something I deal with to any major degree in my personal life. It was very interesting to get such a detailed view of it.
A great read that will keep you guessing!
A family drama turns thriller when Jahana receives her long-awaited DNA results, her whole life is turned upside down. While he tries to keep the results to herself, not wanting to upset her family about it before she understands what it all means, she also has to chase down rabbit holes to figure out who she truly is.
A book about love and family, faith and secrets, and that which binds us all together.
Gray’s writing is easy and concise, with enough of a pace to keep us interested but still stopping to take in the sights and create a lovely picture of Jahana’s lovely family. It was definitely a pleasure to read.
Faith and ancestry features heavily in this book, which was fascinating to me because it’s not something I deal with to any major degree in my personal life. It was very interesting to get such a detailed view of it.
A great read that will keep you guessing!
September 28, 2019
Wonderful ‘What If?’ Tale of the Modern Era
Jahana’s story is a heart-breaking, heart-warming and thought-provoking story of the outcomes of DNA testing for one woman and her family.
What an incredible first novel Heather Gray has conjured! When I first picked it up, I just wanted a taste what I had to look forward to, but the reality was - I could not put it down. Such a beautifully honest accounting of how one’s life might be impacted by looking into our past. It made me think, made me cry, and made me love everything that was Jahana.
I am so looking forward to Heather’s next book. She has a gift for story-telling, for writing, for creating a modern era engagement with a story that could be in any era, and that gift she has graciously shared.
Jahana’s story is a heart-breaking, heart-warming and thought-provoking story of the outcomes of DNA testing for one woman and her family.
What an incredible first novel Heather Gray has conjured! When I first picked it up, I just wanted a taste what I had to look forward to, but the reality was - I could not put it down. Such a beautifully honest accounting of how one’s life might be impacted by looking into our past. It made me think, made me cry, and made me love everything that was Jahana.
I am so looking forward to Heather’s next book. She has a gift for story-telling, for writing, for creating a modern era engagement with a story that could be in any era, and that gift she has graciously shared.
January 16, 2020
Do you ever have books that you feel like you can’t make a connection to? That is what happened as I began this book. I have an issue with people who are willing to let others control their lives, but as I read more of Jahana’s story, I realized she was doing the best she could in a world of chaos. As I fell deeper into her world, the author helped me by including a weave of a subplot of Jahana sharing a book with her daughters.
While this is a story of how a DNA test can turn a person upside down, it is more a story of how one woman finds herself and has the courage to step into a world that is not perfect but perfect for her. The author did a wonderful job of leading me down the "what if" path.
While this is a story of how a DNA test can turn a person upside down, it is more a story of how one woman finds herself and has the courage to step into a world that is not perfect but perfect for her. The author did a wonderful job of leading me down the "what if" path.
September 19, 2019
I loved this story. Filled with excellent intrigue. A real page-turner. I would definitely read it again. Well done!
October 9, 2019
I really enjoyed this well-written, intriguing story of a woman's DNA test results and how they affected her and her loved ones.
April 6, 2021
I found this book absolutely captivating. When a woman has a DNA test that tears her world apart in terms of her marriage and history. Great read.
June 12, 2024
I am an avid reader of fiction and nonfiction highlighting the use of DNA analysis for family history research. I first read the Kindle „sample“ for this novel and as soon as I finished that I immediately bought the entire book on Kindle. And then I read the whole thing in one session. It is a page-turner, written in a simple style, and a short novel.
It is very interesting because it centers on the lives of Muslims who fled from Iran with the change of regime in 1979—a major world event that I remember. The main character is a woman who achieved a Ph.D. and a professor role in Canada, but is required by her husband to wear the hijab in public.
Although the DNA analysis described is rudimentary, it nonetheless yields powerful results that coincide with other pressures on the MC and her family. The theme of Muslim-Jewish tension is one with special salience given the current war in Gaza.
I am very glad I read this book and I will definitely read the sequel as soon as possible.
It is very interesting because it centers on the lives of Muslims who fled from Iran with the change of regime in 1979—a major world event that I remember. The main character is a woman who achieved a Ph.D. and a professor role in Canada, but is required by her husband to wear the hijab in public.
Although the DNA analysis described is rudimentary, it nonetheless yields powerful results that coincide with other pressures on the MC and her family. The theme of Muslim-Jewish tension is one with special salience given the current war in Gaza.
I am very glad I read this book and I will definitely read the sequel as soon as possible.
October 22, 2019
This novel inserts the reader immediately into the life of the main character Jahanna as she searches for information on her mother's family history, by using a DNA test kit. The truth that she learns from the results takes the reader on a wild ride of emotion, history, politics, and deep family values. The character development for each player in the story is full and deep, and the plot is exciting and relate-able. This is an excellent and fast read- I cannot wait for the next novel from this author.
October 23, 2019
A fictional story about how one womens life is upended when the results of an innocent DNA test are returned. The story illustrates how the side effects of technology can lead to unintended consequences in everyday life.
When the primary character, Jahana, takes a DNA test, the results rock the foundation of everything she knows. She finds herself forced to make choices that will change her life, and those around her, forever.
This is a tension-filled tale that will keep you up at night, and get you thinking.
When the primary character, Jahana, takes a DNA test, the results rock the foundation of everything she knows. She finds herself forced to make choices that will change her life, and those around her, forever.
This is a tension-filled tale that will keep you up at night, and get you thinking.
June 13, 2023
The Lie: When DNA Reveals the Family Secret by Heather Dawn Gray, published in 2019 by hdg Publishing. The story centers around Jahana, a college professor and Muslim woman living in Canada, married to Barid, and mother of two young daughters on a quest to discover the truth about her heritage when a small tube of saliva upends her life forever.
Noosha never volunteered or answered questions about her people. After her death, Jahana's curiosity about her Maman and her family intensified, and her lack of knowledge only compounded the grief she felt over the loss of her mother.
To support his wife, Barid buys a DNA testing kit for Jahana, hoping it will help ease her sadness by finding long-lost relatives from the maternal side of her family and answering the mystery surrounding her beloved Maman. No good deed goes unpunished, though; when the results come in, Jahana is shocked that the test reveals that she is not...a 'descendent of Muhammed,' as she always believed based on the childhood teachings from both her parents. Instead, Jahana discovers that she is an Ashkenazi Jew.
DNA is passed from both parents to the child. That's an undisputed fact. So which parent did Jahana inherit her Jewish ethnicity from...mother, father, or both? The revelation that she's not Arabic, as she grew up believing, is devastating news to Jahana and potentially dangerous. She must keep this information secret from those closest to her as she attempts to get to the bottom of what promises to be one of the greatest scandals in her family history.
Where does Jahana begin? Her father would be the most logical starting point, but he's made it clear that he does not want Jahana to take the DNA test in the first place. As a matter of fact, he is adamantly opposed to it. The question is, why? Does Baba already know the secret? If not, what will he say when he finds out, and if he does know... then why was Jahana never told? Suppose Jahana's paternal cousin Mishal would also be willing to take a DNA test. Would the results of her test complicate matters further?
And to make matters worse, Jahana's husband, Barid, is a strict Muslim with pointed antisemitic views. What impact will Jahana's discovery have on their marriage and the lives of their children? Barid bought the DNA test as an anniversary gift for his wife. Not exactly romantic, but now that she's taken it, will this be their last anniversary as a married couple because of the results?
How does Jahana get the answers to all the questions swirling around in her head without revealing the secret that carries a threat that could likely unravel her entire way of life?
The Lie: When DNA Reveals the Family Secret is a tense and thought-provoking work of fiction that opens up a line of questioning that anyone that has ever taken or is contemplating taking a DNA test must ask themselves, starting with...can you accept the outcome that may alter everything that you once thought you knew about yourself and your family? Or will you turn your back on the results as though they don't exist? You'll need to read the book to find out how Jahana answered these questions.
Noosha never volunteered or answered questions about her people. After her death, Jahana's curiosity about her Maman and her family intensified, and her lack of knowledge only compounded the grief she felt over the loss of her mother.
To support his wife, Barid buys a DNA testing kit for Jahana, hoping it will help ease her sadness by finding long-lost relatives from the maternal side of her family and answering the mystery surrounding her beloved Maman. No good deed goes unpunished, though; when the results come in, Jahana is shocked that the test reveals that she is not...a 'descendent of Muhammed,' as she always believed based on the childhood teachings from both her parents. Instead, Jahana discovers that she is an Ashkenazi Jew.
DNA is passed from both parents to the child. That's an undisputed fact. So which parent did Jahana inherit her Jewish ethnicity from...mother, father, or both? The revelation that she's not Arabic, as she grew up believing, is devastating news to Jahana and potentially dangerous. She must keep this information secret from those closest to her as she attempts to get to the bottom of what promises to be one of the greatest scandals in her family history.
Where does Jahana begin? Her father would be the most logical starting point, but he's made it clear that he does not want Jahana to take the DNA test in the first place. As a matter of fact, he is adamantly opposed to it. The question is, why? Does Baba already know the secret? If not, what will he say when he finds out, and if he does know... then why was Jahana never told? Suppose Jahana's paternal cousin Mishal would also be willing to take a DNA test. Would the results of her test complicate matters further?
And to make matters worse, Jahana's husband, Barid, is a strict Muslim with pointed antisemitic views. What impact will Jahana's discovery have on their marriage and the lives of their children? Barid bought the DNA test as an anniversary gift for his wife. Not exactly romantic, but now that she's taken it, will this be their last anniversary as a married couple because of the results?
How does Jahana get the answers to all the questions swirling around in her head without revealing the secret that carries a threat that could likely unravel her entire way of life?
The Lie: When DNA Reveals the Family Secret is a tense and thought-provoking work of fiction that opens up a line of questioning that anyone that has ever taken or is contemplating taking a DNA test must ask themselves, starting with...can you accept the outcome that may alter everything that you once thought you knew about yourself and your family? Or will you turn your back on the results as though they don't exist? You'll need to read the book to find out how Jahana answered these questions.
July 2, 2020
I received an eBook copy of this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. Since I received a free copy of the book I wanted to provide a review once I finished.
The premise of this story is intriguing. Jahana, a Muslim woman from Tehran, lives with her family in Canada. As an anniversary gift, her traditionalist husband, Barid, gives her a DNA kit from an ancestry website. What unfolds after is a series of events that transpire once Jahana gets extremely surprising results revealing a large family secret about her past. The truth slowly pours out over the course of the book and ends with a culmination of several secrets and lies being revealed, changing Jahana's life forever. It ends on a note of promising more discoveries lie ahead (and after finishing this book I discovered there is a sequel called Where Truth Lies).
What I liked about this story was learning about a modern woman's struggles within a culture and heritage that is not my own. I learned about some intricate cultural beliefs and practices of the Muslim community and gained additional perspective regarding past issues in Tehran. A subplot within the book is understanding the Muslim flight out of Iran in response to the oppressive regime, only to continue to see that traditionalist values and male-dominant realms of oppression live on within the privacy of the home.
At times I felt the writing style to be a bit lackluster, despite the edgy premise. The book is predominantly dialogue, yet at times it didn't read like a real conversation. The author spends a lot of time repetitively revisiting each characters' stubbornness, and for awhile it seems no one can hold an adult conversation without walking out of the room/house/coffee shop in anger. I felt some of the life-changing events that occurred could have been fleshed out more. The unraveling of Jahana's marriage happened so quickly that it did not feel as impactful as I think it was supposed to be. In summation, I think this was a good first novel.
The premise of this story is intriguing. Jahana, a Muslim woman from Tehran, lives with her family in Canada. As an anniversary gift, her traditionalist husband, Barid, gives her a DNA kit from an ancestry website. What unfolds after is a series of events that transpire once Jahana gets extremely surprising results revealing a large family secret about her past. The truth slowly pours out over the course of the book and ends with a culmination of several secrets and lies being revealed, changing Jahana's life forever. It ends on a note of promising more discoveries lie ahead (and after finishing this book I discovered there is a sequel called Where Truth Lies).
What I liked about this story was learning about a modern woman's struggles within a culture and heritage that is not my own. I learned about some intricate cultural beliefs and practices of the Muslim community and gained additional perspective regarding past issues in Tehran. A subplot within the book is understanding the Muslim flight out of Iran in response to the oppressive regime, only to continue to see that traditionalist values and male-dominant realms of oppression live on within the privacy of the home.
At times I felt the writing style to be a bit lackluster, despite the edgy premise. The book is predominantly dialogue, yet at times it didn't read like a real conversation. The author spends a lot of time repetitively revisiting each characters' stubbornness, and for awhile it seems no one can hold an adult conversation without walking out of the room/house/coffee shop in anger. I felt some of the life-changing events that occurred could have been fleshed out more. The unraveling of Jahana's marriage happened so quickly that it did not feel as impactful as I think it was supposed to be. In summation, I think this was a good first novel.
May 17, 2020
Thank you to Goodreads and to the author, Heather Dawn Gray, for gifting me the Kindle edition of this book via a Goodreads giveaway! Jahana is a Canadian Muslim -- wife in an unhappy marriage, mother to two beautiful girls, and teacher. She takes a DNA test that her husband had given her for a birthday, and her life turns upside down! She struggles greatly with how to share her results. Through the test, her past is revealed and it changes her future. Her parents had their reasons for keeping the secret, but Jahana doesn't want to continue to live the lie. Throughout the story, her true self is what is really revealed, alongside of her DNA.
The premise is an interesting one. I know people who have been curious about their pasts who have conducted extensive genealogical research, used Ancestry.com, or taken the 23 and Me DNA mail-in tests. None have had especially surprising results, but "what if?" is always interesting to think about. I didn't connect very well with the characters in this book. I kept reading, because I wanted to learn how she dealt with her results, but, outside of worry, I missed the emotional connection between characters and to the events of the story.
The premise is an interesting one. I know people who have been curious about their pasts who have conducted extensive genealogical research, used Ancestry.com, or taken the 23 and Me DNA mail-in tests. None have had especially surprising results, but "what if?" is always interesting to think about. I didn't connect very well with the characters in this book. I kept reading, because I wanted to learn how she dealt with her results, but, outside of worry, I missed the emotional connection between characters and to the events of the story.
February 3, 2020
So, you take a DNA test because you want to know more about your Mother's extended faamily and she has died. When you get the results back none of it makes sense. How do you talk to your father about it? Why has he lied all these years? You know you can not tell your husband because once you were married he began to become more conservative than you and his reaction would be horrible at best. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is as it should be.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought that Gray did an excellent job of portraying her main character as a strong woman, struggling with not only her identity but her very life. It is interesting to me that regardless of religious beliefs, a controlling male can certainly be a problem, regardless of personal strength.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought that Gray did an excellent job of portraying her main character as a strong woman, struggling with not only her identity but her very life. It is interesting to me that regardless of religious beliefs, a controlling male can certainly be a problem, regardless of personal strength.
April 26, 2020
I won this ebook from Goodreads. Jahana a Muslim woman was brought up in a liberal household. When she married Baird, he was also a liberal, then changed once they were married. He made Jahana wear a hijab in public. For Jahana’s anniversary Baird buys her a DNA test so she can find more family on her deceased Mom’s side. She wants to ask her father about everything, but she feels he is too fragile after the death of her mom, his wife. There is definitely a major twist between Baird and Jahana I did not expect. I will say there is a bit to much talk about Jahana’s bowels in this story. Overall it was a good story and kept me guessing.
July 31, 2021
it's a read that reveals a life that explains how alike itswe are but different. So many trails that lead us to who we really are if we fight to know it. Bringing us to th saying of Paul in the New Testament. I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. I have no more words. Please enjoy!
It's a read that reveals a life that explains how alike we are but different. So many trails that lead us to who we really are if we fight to know. Bringing us to know of Paul in the New Testament. I have learned that whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. Enjoy!
It's a read that reveals a life that explains how alike we are but different. So many trails that lead us to who we really are if we fight to know. Bringing us to know of Paul in the New Testament. I have learned that whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. Enjoy!
July 20, 2020
This book was really eye-opening - something that most folks won't have any familiarity with (at least not as specific as this story).
This story kept me enthralling, wanting to know what happens next. It would certainly be hard to anticipate where the author would take the characters next, which is always enjoyable. While the text wasn't terribly advanced, I found this refreshing as it was a great, quick read.
This story kept me enthralling, wanting to know what happens next. It would certainly be hard to anticipate where the author would take the characters next, which is always enjoyable. While the text wasn't terribly advanced, I found this refreshing as it was a great, quick read.
April 15, 2020
Received as a GoodReads giveaway. Mixed feelings about it. It was an intriguing premise and I read the book quickly. I had trouble relating to Jahana, though, maybe because her cultural background, beliefs and expectations were so different from my own. I was mentally yelling "Just ask him, already!", "Tell them what happened!", etc. And I cheered as she finally began to stand up for herself. The ending seemed unfinished to me. Maybe I'll read the next book to learn more about the family.
April 16, 2020
Absolutely remarkable.
I won this here on Goodreads in a giveaway. This book from begging to end was hard to put down. Very well written powerful and moving. I'm looking forward to purchasing a finished copy. I do feel the ending was a bit rushed would love for this story to continue with a second book?
I won this here on Goodreads in a giveaway. This book from begging to end was hard to put down. Very well written powerful and moving. I'm looking forward to purchasing a finished copy. I do feel the ending was a bit rushed would love for this story to continue with a second book?
January 24, 2022
I read this book in just a few days over a weekend. I am a genealogist who uses DNA to find unknown ancestors - including unknown biological parents. Often people take a DNA test and then uncover huge family secrets. That is the story in this case, and Jahana has to find the truth and weave those answers into her life. I really enjoyed the story and immediately started the sequel.
September 22, 2025
It was an easy, interesting read. Our book club read it, and everyone loved it for so many different reasons.
Heather was well researched. I am looking forward to the sequel. Heather joined our book club meeting virtually, and we had a delightful chat with her. She allowed us to ask her how she developed the story, and she gave us a few hints on how the sequels will go.
Heather was well researched. I am looking forward to the sequel. Heather joined our book club meeting virtually, and we had a delightful chat with her. She allowed us to ask her how she developed the story, and she gave us a few hints on how the sequels will go.
April 16, 2020
Unique story
Very interesting a story based on a DNA test and a woman find ding out that she is not who she thought she was and her worry about her husband finding out her true heritage. But her true heritage saved her from grief
Very interesting a story based on a DNA test and a woman find ding out that she is not who she thought she was and her worry about her husband finding out her true heritage. But her true heritage saved her from grief
January 11, 2021
Enjoyable
A good thought provoking read. At times a little repetitive with the What If questions, but enjoyable and educational all the same.
Your inner feminist (and outer feminist) has you rooting for Jahani all the way through.
A good thought provoking read. At times a little repetitive with the What If questions, but enjoyable and educational all the same.
Your inner feminist (and outer feminist) has you rooting for Jahani all the way through.
January 15, 2022
The Lie: When DNA Reveals the Family Secret
I enjoyed this novel. I enjoy learning about other cultures. This novel is a great family drama! About to start the next book that continues this story.
I enjoyed this novel. I enjoy learning about other cultures. This novel is a great family drama! About to start the next book that continues this story.
March 10, 2022
What do you do when you find your whole life is a lie?
A DNA test turns a family upside down and inside out! Secrets and half truths abound! Will her marriage survive all the revelations?
A DNA test turns a family upside down and inside out! Secrets and half truths abound! Will her marriage survive all the revelations?
May 17, 2023
a good read
I read this book
Because I knew the author long ago in another career.
I Admire people who
Write and publish their work. I liked the book - the plot moved along briskly and the characters were well developed. A good read!
I read this book
Because I knew the author long ago in another career.
I Admire people who
Write and publish their work. I liked the book - the plot moved along briskly and the characters were well developed. A good read!
October 16, 2023
Interesting read
I expected a lot from this highly acclaimed book and was seriously disappointed. It was fine but left little to the imagination. Little to no suspense, practically no genealogical research as it was promoted to have, just an everyday family saga. Really bummed!
I expected a lot from this highly acclaimed book and was seriously disappointed. It was fine but left little to the imagination. Little to no suspense, practically no genealogical research as it was promoted to have, just an everyday family saga. Really bummed!
June 12, 2020
It's a skillfully written book with a compelling plot an characters. It wasn't for me though.
June 26, 2020
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. It ended up better than I thought it would when I first started it and want to read the next. What a conversation that's going to be! High 3 stars
February 13, 2021
I liked the idea behind the book - it was really interesting but not so well written. It all seemed to get wrapped up very quickly.
December 21, 2021
Enjoyable read. Seeing how DNA discovery can provide insight into a person's life was definitely highlighted in this novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews