Wow what can I say! This book was an ARC read provided by NetGalley and I'm so glad I was given the opportunity to read this book..

From the offset, this book was filled with suspense and drama! It was fast paced, had short chapters (always a win from me!) and had me hooked from the first page! And to top off the amazing read, it had SPICE - something I haven't seen in suspense/thriller books before!

If you are looking for a book that has you gripped from the start with amazing main characters, this one is for you!

Out 23rd September 2025!

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of Beneath Your Lies by Nicole J. Owens — thank you to NetGalley, Moonlit Graves Publishing, and of course the author herself for the chance to read it early.

From the very first page, this story grabs you and doesn’t let go. The pacing is relentless — fast, sharp, and impossible to put down. I picked it up one afternoon thinking I’d just start a few chapters… and before I knew it, I had finished the entire book in record time. Honestly, it’s one of the fastest books I’ve ever read.

This book delivers all the hallmarks of a dark romantic suspense — betrayal, obsession, morally grey choices, and secrets that refuse to stay buried. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the twists hit and change everything. Veronica’s marriage-of-convenience-turned-nightmare and her entanglement with Ronan, the hitman with his own scars, kept the tension high and the surprises coming.

For a debut, this feels incredibly polished. Owens writes with confidence — weaving together danger, passion, betrayal, and twists that strike at the perfect moment. I cannot wait to see what Nicole J. Owens writes next.

This was my first NetGalley ARC and it did not disappoint! I was immediately hooked after reading the synopsis and my interest was continually piqued as I read the first few chapters. This is definitely a dark romance with multiple twists and turns that keep the reader hooked. I did not see the ending coming and was pleasantly surprised once everything came together. If you’ve read Butcher and Blackbird, you’ll love this book!

This book was on point. I can honestly say i didn't see those twists and turns coming, and I loved it.

Hell hath no fury, then a woman scorned and daammmmnn did Veronica knock it out the park! Then comes Ronan 🔥💕

This book is dark, dysfunctional on so many levels but gripping, I loved it!

Now Olivia......does she have what it takes to mess with the power house of Veronica and Ronan???

Beneath Your Lies is dark, sultry, and completely addictive. Owens weaves a story of betrayal, forbidden passion, and dangerous secrets that had me hooked from the very first page. Veronica and Ronan’s chemistry is explosive, the twists are relentless, and the tension never lets up. A perfect blend of suspense and romance that kept me breathless until the end.

**Thank you NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review**

something about the way this is written is kinda not working for me

thank you nonetheless to netgalley and moonlit graves publishing for this arc to review!

“Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged". -Samual Johnson

In this spicy romantic suspense, our main character Veronica learns that her husband Richard, State District Attorney has been…. you guessed it, sleeping with his secretary. *GASP* 😱
I promise this is the LEAST shocking element of this book.

In an attempt to salvage his marriage and public image, Richard proposes an unconventional solution: Veronica may partake in her own affair.
In his mind, after said affair, they will be “even” and will live happily ever after together. Oh Richard 🙄. For being Ivy League educated you really are quite dense.

Enter Ronan- the character who seasoned this book perfectly 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

The twists were twisty, the spice was spicy and the revenge was *chefs Kiss*

Overall I was really impressed with this authors debut novel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Moonlit Graves Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Beneath Your Lies by Nicole J. Owens

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Beneath Your Lies was everything I love in a romantic suspense—fast-paced, intriguing, and deliciously spicy. Nicole J. Owens did such a great job balancing the suspense and tension with sizzling chemistry, making it impossible to put down. The twists kept me guessing, while the romance pulled me in even deeper. I was completely hooked from the very first chapter and loved how the danger and desire played off each other perfectly.
Even more impressive—this is Owens’s debut novel, and it feels polished, addictive, and so well-executed. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you NetGalley and Moonlit Graves publishing for the ARC.

thank you netgalley and the publishers for lending me and eARC in exchange for an honest review.

HOLY COW

the twists. the turns. the revenge. the reveals. the SPICE.

I ATE THIS UP. devoured from the moment i started, it pulled me in. honestly, read the trigger warnings. this is a dark/mystersy/suspense book. and if that sounds like your genre - add this to your tbr now and thank me later.

This book is the perfect blend of thriller, mystery, romance, and suspense—crafted in a way that will keep you up well past your bedtime because you simply cannot put it down.

Told through multiple points of view, each chapter shifts to a different character, complete with its own beautifully illustrated header. This structure allows the story to build seamlessly, introducing each character’s backstory while gradually weaving their timelines together into a rich, interconnected narrative.

And those final chapters—what a ride! The twists, the turns, and the masterful way every storyline comes together in one perfectly tied bow…absolutely brilliant.

I read this book in one sitting—it’s dark, twisty, and full of deeply flawed characters. While some parts felt predictable for the genre, there were still a few surprises that kept me engaged. Most of the characters (with the exception of Sylvie and Lauren) weren’t particularly likable, yet I still found myself eager to see how everything unfolded.

A gripping debut that blends dark romance with suspenseful twists. Veronica's journey from betrayal to empowerment is both intense and captivating. The chemistry between her and Ronan is undeniable, and the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat. Owens masterfully weaves themes of revenge, trust, and healing into a story that's hard to put down. Fans of dark romance and thrillers will find this a compelling read.

I was shocked when I saw that this is a debut novel. Nicole J. Owens writes with the kind of confidence and fluidity you’d expect from a seasoned author. The prose is immersive, the pacing is on point, and the story flows effortlessly from beginning to end. I love a good twist in a book and Owens delivered many. Some I did guess but it didn’t take away from the story as there were other things I was completely surprised by.

Beneath Your Lies is a sexy, dark romantic suspense that kept me hooked from the very first page. Veronica and Ronan both have dark secrets and an insatiable draw to each other. Yes, their relationship falls into instalove territory, but in the world of dark romance where obsession is often part of the draw, it works.

I devoured this in under two days and I’m so excited to see where Nicole J. Owens goes from here. She has all the makings of a breakout voice in dark romance.

Highly recommend if you’re into suspenseful, steamy romance with a darker edge.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed this book, and it turned out to be such a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect such a powerful twist, which made the story even more gripping and impossible to put down.

This story definitely deserves a place on the shelf of every thriller lover, as it offers both gripping suspense and powerful emotional moments.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read this book ahead of its release.

#NetGalley #beneathyourlies

spicy and romantic with a touch of suspense!!!! i loved this book, and would certainly recommend to others!!! very well written :)

This was a good read! It was the right amount of suspense and spice. The writing had me hooked from the beginning! The chemistry between the main characters was amazing

I’m excited to read more from this author! I’m surprised this was a debut

Thank you to NetGalley and Moonlit Graves Publishing for the ARC.!

I am genuinely so surprised that this is a debut novel because I struggled to put it down! It was fast-paced and full of twists and turns.

Beneath Your Lies had me feeling all types of emotions, from rage, all the way up to it making me kick my little leggies because let me tell you, I loved Ronan and thought the chemistry he had with Veronica was brilliant!

Oh. My. God. I was NOT ready for this book, and it absolutely ate me alive.

At no point - zero, nada - was I able to predict what was coming. And you know what? I LOVED every second of it.
Nicole crafted a story that’s so detailed, so addictive, so ruthless...and still managed to leave me sitting there like… what the hell just happened??

Now let’s talk about the actual book: if you love badass women, revenge served ice cold, and just the right sprinkle of smut… you're in for a ride.
You’re not reading this - you’re being dragged through it by the throat, and you won’t see a single twist coming.

This is a story about revenge (the kind that takes years to simmer) and a brutal reminder that there’s always more going on beneath the surface. Full of layered characters (except Richard, the human definition of useless). Multiple POVs were such a smart move; it's like watching a movie play in your brain, and every perspective adds fuel to the fire.

And the smut? Written by a woman, thank GOD. It’s the perfect amount, enough to make you blush and breathe, but not so much that you forget this is still a ruthless, twisty revenge story at its core.

In conclusion: Nicole, ma’am, what did you just do to my brain?

Thank you NetGalley and Moonlit Graves Publishing for the ARC.
If you enjoy romance mixed with suspense and thriller elements, this one is worth picking up. The plot twist was gripping, and I really enjoyed the touch-her-and-die vibe woven throughout. Nicole did a great job of highlighting women’s strength, which I loved. That said, the book at times felt a little unstructured, and I found myself slightly confused in certain parts. With a bit more rearrangement of events, it could’ve flowed more smoothly but overall, I still found it engaging.
Veronica Sullivan’s perfect life shatters when she confronts her husband about his affair. Determined to protect his reputation as the State’s District Attorney, he makes a shocking proposal, Veronica can have her own affair, but only under his supervision. Enter Ronan, a mysterious hitman with demons of his own. Their connection is instant, dangerous, and impossible to ignore. But with disappearances and murders gripping the city, Veronica must decide how much of herself and her secrets she’s willing to risk.

Beneath Your Lies is the kind of book that pulls you into the drama right away and keeps you hooked with its dark, suspenseful energy. It’s all about secrets, betrayal, and revenge, with two leads who are far from perfect- which honestly makes them so much more interesting to follow. I really enjoyed the morally grey vibe throughout; it made every decision feel unpredictable and kept the tension high.

The story leans into themes like female rage, obsession, and messy relationships, which gave it a bold and unapologetic tone. There were definitely a few spots where I wanted more depth — especially in understanding certain choices or getting closure on smaller plot threads- but it didn’t take away from how entertaining the ride was.

If you like dark romance that’s heavy on suspense and filled with complicated characters who blur the lines between right and wrong, this is definitely worth picking up.