A suspense story unfolds when a wife confronts her husband about his affair. Some lies and secrets follow us. Loved it!

This story follows the FMC, Veronica, the second wife of her older, DA husband (an all-around skeeze ball) and our MMC, Ronan, a renown hitman with a penchant for gruesome violence. The chemistry is palpable between Veronica and Ronan and there are some really interesting side-characters that I wish had more page-time, like Sylvie, a snarky, badass hacker.

The plot hinges on the idea that Veronica's husband, Richard, arranges revenge hook-ups on her behalf after she catches him cheating with his secretary. I could buy in to the fact that he is a powerful DA. I could buy into the fact that he has connections all around the city and is a slimy enough guy to take advantage of them to hurt Veronica. What I could not stomach, no matter how much I tried to suspend my disbelief, is that Veronica willingly goes along with this ridiculous plan because there is a mysterious *something* that she needs from her husband.

The idea that there is more to her story that needs to be uncovered as you read is a good one. Love that! I just felt that there needed to be a little more backstory laid out at the beginning to get me to understand her motivations a bit more. Really had to speed-read to get through it because I had trouble connecting to the characters and a lot of over-explained exposition in the first 20%.


I received an e-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is so good. There's enough hidden background and history to keep you turning pages hoping for answers. The spice and romance between the mmc and fmc is palpable and the last quarter of the book had me biting my nails, kicking my legs and squealing antsy to see how it would all turn out. I don't always love touch her and die in contemporary romance but it works so well here. Thanks so much to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc.

Started off a bit slow, but once it found its rhythm, it really picked up. The final few twists were especially well done—unexpected and gave the book a strong finish. Definitely worth sticking with if you enjoy a story that builds momentum and delivers a punch at the end.

This book is perfect for those who love smut and suspenseful stories. Full of twists and turns, with a strong FMC. Some portions of the book were a tad predictable and even a little cheesy, but I also wasn't sure where the story was headed until the very end.

Fast passed suspense dark romance, with fun twists and plot. This was an easy read and great pallet cleanser that I enjoyed. Hitman romance, cheating trope, and mystery that keeps you turning the page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Moonlit Graves Publishing for an arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

WOWWWW WHAT A DEBUT NOVEL 👏🏻
This has me absolutely hooked from the very beginning. I couldn’t wait to see how this story played out and I was not disappointed!!! Veronica is such a bad bitch and I STAND BY HER 1000%. Her and Ronan had so much chemistry on these pages I could feel it!!!! I already cannot wait to read more of this authors work and I want to be first in line for whatever book she comes out with next! This was such a fun read. I need a physical copy of this as a bookshelf trophy IMMEDIATELY!!!!!

“I’m still not sure that I’m worthy of you, but I’d do anything to be. Being with you feels like coming home for the first time. To a real home. A happy home with a family.” BRB CRYING!!!!

Loved this. 4.25 stars. 🌟

🌟4🌟 To say I’m shocked that this is Nicole J. Owens’ debut novel would be an understatement… She has truly outdone herself here!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC!

I immediately fell in love with Owens’ writing style - for me it perfectly mixed metaphorical language with witty and punchy humour, which I believe worked really well for Veronica’s character in particular. Her writing is so addicting to read, I don't believe I've ever flown through a book so fast!

Typically, I truly dislike male characters who center themselves around protecting female characters that they’ve just met (almost like they’re damsels in distress), but Owens’ writing was so good that I was able to enjoy Ronan’s character type more that I usually would.

My only gripe would be that Veronica and Ronan’s relationship felt more lustful than anything else, so it was a tad unbelievable to me that they were falling in love so hard and fast - though, I am aware that I’m normally never able to believe when characters “fall in love” very quickly, so this may just be a personal gripe of mine. However, I’m glad that both Veronica and Ronan weren’t overly delusional and were cognisant enough to recognise that they’re both as insane as each other.

Although I predicted one plot twist, the other left me utterly shocked which was incredibly satisfying. And, I love how the ending could lend itself to a sequel, though even as a stand-alone it works very well too.

Overall, I am thoroughly impressed by this debut and am so excited to read her subsequent releases! (I could quite literally feel that this was going to be at least a 4-star read while I was barely 3 chapters into the book!)

TW: Domestic Violence, Murder, Death, Infidelity, Blood, Torture, Age Gap Relationship, Child Abuse, Kidnapping, Gun Violence, Cursing, Injury/Injury Detail, Sexual Content, (Minor Mentions of:) Car Accident; Death of Parent; Drug Use; Animal Death; Miscarriage; Alcoholism; Vomit

⭐️⭐️✨ (2.5 stars) | 🌶️ (1 pepper)

Thank you to NetGalley and author Nicole J. Owens for the opportunity to read Beneath Your Lies. This is my honest review of the ARC, and I truly appreciate it.

Before we start just wanna say: Fans of dark romance with morally grey/black characters and intense drama may find it worth the ride.

Review contains spoilers!

🕵️‍♂️ Themes 🕵️‍♂️
The book dives headfirst into heavy themes like infidelity, manipulation, violence, and trauma. Reading about men cheating with much younger women, especially those barely out of their teens, was deeply unsettling. The emotional weight of these betrayals is palpable, and the quote, “Men are forgiven much more quickly than women are…” really struck me. It reflects a harsh truth about societal double standards that still persist.
The main character, Veronica, is betrayed by her husband Richard, who cheats on her with a 19-year-old while she’s just 25. That dynamic alone sets a disturbing tone. The emotional fallout from this betrayal is intense, and the book doesn’t shy away from showing how deeply it affects her.

🕵️‍♂️ Characters & Relationships 🕵️‍♂️
Ronan, the mysterious stranger with a dark past, was one of the more compelling characters. His obsession with Veronica, even before they properly meet, toes the line between romantic and unsettling but it’s undeniably engaging. Their first interaction in the booth was steamy, and his small gestures (like ordering wine and appetizers ahead of their date) added charm to his otherwise dangerous persona.

However, some character decisions felt inconsistent. Veronica’s naivety especially not realizing Ronan is a killer even after he tells her was hard to believe. Her emotional swings between pushing him away and clinging to him felt abrupt and underdeveloped. FMC was too naive or acting naive... I'm just not a fan of such women in dark romance... Jacob, Richard, and other male characters were portrayed as deeply flawed, and while that added tension, it also made the cast feel overwhelmingly toxic at times. Very toxic most of the time.

🔍 Plot 🔍
The plot is packed with twists, it's actually a cool thing, so some genuinely shocking, others however felt confusing... Ronan being hired to kill Veronica, the disappearance of Myranda, and the reveal of Claire as a murderer all added layers of intrigue. But certain developments felt rushed or underexplained. For example, Ronan’s sudden rescue of Veronica lacked buildup, and Taylor’s storyline felt disconnected until the very end, where it was revealed that Veronica and Taylor are the same person. That twist, while ambitious, didn’t land smoothly due to the fragmented narrative.
The final chapters introduced new POVs and revelations (like Olivia’s intent to kill Veronica), which added drama but also felt overwhelming. The pacing in the last third of the book was chaotic, and some plot threads like the political implications of Veronica’s anonymous accusations against Richard weren’t fully explored.

🗺️ Writing style 🗺️
One recurring issue was the lack of scene-setting. Many chapters began with dialogue, making it hard to visualize where the characters were or what was happening around them. A bit more grounding in the environment would have helped the story feel more immersive.

✅ Strengths ✅
- Bold exploration of dark romance and psychological tension
- Strong emotional reactions evoked through betrayal and trauma
- Ronan’s character adds intrigue and intensity
- Some quotes and themes resonate with real-world issues
- Twists that keep the reader guessing

❌ Areas for Improvement ❌
- Inconsistent character behavior, especially Veronica’s emotional logic
- Underdeveloped subplots (e.g. Taylor’s role, political stakes)
- Abrupt pacing and skipped transitions in key scenes
- Overuse of toxic male characters without enough balance
- Lack of descriptive grounding in many chapters

📚 Final thoughts 📚
Beneath Your Lies is a dark, emotionally charged thriller that explores betrayal, obsession, and survival. While it delivers some gripping moments and memorable quotes, the execution felt uneven. With more clarity in structure and character development, this story could have been even more impactful. Still, fans of dark romance with morally grey characters and intense drama may find it worth the ride.

**Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC**

If it the main characters do not even interact with each other, then there is a problem. Veronica and Ronan don't even SPEAK to each other until chapter 21. TWENTY-ONE!!! This had such great promise, but the execution was horrible. Nothing has happened in the first 20 chapters, and I am bored out of my mind.

**I received this as an ARC**

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! This gave me similar vibes to Under Your Scars, but not as much emotional damage at the end. Veronica and Ronan have a beautiful story and the ending? There were twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. And it’s set up perfectly for a sequel, but I don’t feel like it’s needed and I’d feel complete with or without one.

Beneath Your Lies by Nicole J. Owens was a dark, addictive read that I devoured. It’s part psychological suspense, part dark romance, with just the right mix of tension, secrets, and heat. Owens gives us female rage, forbidden love, revenge, and healing—all wrapped in a storyline that bridges thriller, crime, and romance.

The characters are layered and complex, especially the main duo whose chemistry is undeniable. I also loved the sharp side characters, who added depth without pulling focus. The atmosphere is tense and unsettling, and the twists had me hooked, even when I thought I had it figured out. Some parts in the middle slowed down a little, and a few moments stretched believability, but overall this was such a fun, gripping read.

If you like your suspense with dark romance, emotional stakes, and a dash of spice, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I’ll definitely be reading more from Owens.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Beneath Your Lies is a spicy dark romance full of betrayal, revenge, and love.

When Veronica learns her high profile husband has been unfaithful, he shockingly gives her permission to have an affair of her own, but only under his conditions. Refusing to play by his rules, Veronica takes matters into her own hands and finds herself drawn to Ronan, a hitman with whom she shares instant, undeniable chemistry.

I really enjoyed this book, but I do wish it had slowed down a bit. The fast pacing made me want more detail, especially when it came to exploring Veronica and Ronan’s relationship. That said, the story is packed with twists—some of which completely caught me off guard—and Veronica’s long awaited revenge made for such a satisfying payoff. She’s a fierce, unforgettable heroine who takes control of her own life.

If you’re a fan of dark romance with plenty of spice, suspense, and a bold leading woman, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.

I feel like this book could be the next booktok favourite! Veronica is "allowed" an affair under her husband's (the State's District Attorney) supervision after she found out about his infidelity in a desperate attempt to save face. She meets Ronan, someone she feels an immediate connection with, who turns about to be a hitman. Veronica gets tangled up in a web of secrets, trying to navigate between her newfound affair and her husband's rules.

If you like books such as "Lights out" by Navessa Allen & "Butcher & Blackbird" by Brynne Weaver, or even Freida McFadden, this could be the next book for you! It is fast-paced, and problems don't linger too long as they are resolved quickly. With the right characters being likeable and creating a strong dislike for the "bad" characters, it is a book that is difficult to put down and turns into a quick read.

The book was a bit insta-lovey for me, whereas I prefer a slow burn, which is reflected in my overall opinion about the book... Some things happened a bit too quickly for my liking and could've taken more time or pages. Overall, I would give this book 3.75 stars, and I'm very impressed with this author's debut novel.

As with every dark romance, make sure to read the trigger warnings before starting this book!

First of all, the cover of this book is beautiful.....it is what caught my eye at first. This is a romantic suspense story full of twist and turns.....but some of these twist and turns are really outlandish and unbelievable. I really liked the premise of the book and the beginning of a romance between Victoria and Ronan. I just felt like some of the storylines were rushed and it led to a not believable story. I did however, like the ending and would actually read Olivia's side of the story in the next book.

***I would like to thank NetGalley, this debut author, and the publishers for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Wow!!!

I’m not typically a fan of suspense/thriller types of books, but I could not stop reading this one. Of course I snagged a copy of this accidentally during a busy week with little down time, but I found myself taking breaks where I could to get a quick chapter in because each chapter left me hanging. I love a book with short chapters because I hate stopping mid-chapter. I also LOVVVVE when each chapter ends with me wanting more more more!!

I cannot believe this book was a debut because it was written so well. I loved the multiple POV written in first person. I loved not knowing where the twists would be and having my mind go everywhere trying to come up with the ending in my head. I changed my mind so many times, and I figured a few things out…but the way all the puzzle pieces fit together in the end was mind blowing! 🤯 I really enjoyed it!

You know what I loved the most about this suspense/thriller novel? The romance thrown in there!! I was not expecting that at all!! It was more of a dark romance than a thriller honestly. The way our morally gray FMC & MMC fell into each other’s lives was epic, and their connection was so intense that I simply couldn’t get enough. The spice was delicious, and not at all over-the-top. It added to the story instead of becoming the story, and it ignited the chemistry.

The characters were developed so well that I really couldn’t stand the thought of anything happening to them. I knew with this type of book that anything could happen to anyone at any moment, so I tried not to get attached…but Ronan & Veronica?? Loveddddd them!!! I usually figure everything out in books like these, but for some reason I did not with this one. One of the characters is introduced throughout the book in the past, and I couldn’t place where that character would fit into the story until the end. Again, the puzzle pieces fitting together at the end made my head spin.

Do not sleep on this suspense romance!!! There is violence, murder, drugs/alcohol/addiction, child abuse, spice, morally gray characters, and adultery in this book. If you can handle all of that, then this book is definitely for you!! I will be recommending to all once this one comes out.

Beneath Your Lies is an absolutely gripping thriller that had me hooked from page one. Nicole Owens weaves together suspense, secrets, and unexpected twists so seamlessly that I couldn’t put it down. The characters feel real, layered with flaws and hidden motives that kept me second-guessing everyone. Just when I thought I had the story figured out, Owens threw in another twist that left me stunned. The pacing is sharp, the writing is addictive, and the tension builds to a jaw-dropping conclusion. If you love thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat and make you question who you can really trust, this book is a must-read!

beneath your lies- nicole j. owens🐍

WOW! i am gobsmacked. this was an arc copy that i got from netgalley and i am SO glad, i got to read this! a debut also, i believe?! and what a debut indeed😮‍💨🔥

my mind?! BLOWN. i am actually SPEECHLESS. but i also have SO MUCH to say and it’s not often a book leaves me like this🤯

i.. i? erm WHAT!!! plot twist, after plot twist, AFTER PLOT TWIST! and i think i maybe figured one out along the way? but i’m not even sure anymore because THIS WAS INSANE. i couldn’t place this book down, HOOKED is an understatement.

i wanna say dark romance/mystery/suspense?! INCREDIBLE. I ATE THIS UP. like, YOU NEED TO ADD THIS TO YOUR TBRS IMMEDIATELY. this hitttttt!!! reading slump? who is she??? I READ THIS IN A DAY!😮‍💨

ronan??? YES SIR.
VERONICA?!?! whaaaaaat!!! ain’t nothing like a woman scorned, lemme tell you, she is a CLEVER WOMAN.

i absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS!🔥

•★ ★ ★ ★ ★
•🌶️🌶️🌶️

•releases- september 23, 2025!💫
•available on ku: ☑️

(as always, check your triggers peoples!🫶🏼)

*Arc review*

Story: 5 ⭐️’s
Spice: 3 🌶️’s

Beneath Your Lies is a debut book written by Nicole Owens. It is stand alone contemporary romantic thriller that could easily be turned into a series. It’s tropes include:

✅ Love Triangle
✅ Fleeing abuse
✅ Insta-Obsession
✅ Stalking
✅ Morally Grey MC’s
✅ Hitman MMC
✅ Touch her and 💀
✅ Tragic backstories
✅ Hurt comfort
✅ Feminine rage
✅ Plot Twists
✅ An ending that leave you thinking about it after your finished reading.

The book is about a young woman named Veronica’s who’s in an age gap marriage to a powerful district attorney. He’s up for reflection when she uncovers he is having an affair with his secretary. In order to maintain his public image and save his marriage, he develops a plan to orchestrate Veronica’s own affair, under his supervision.

Her husband plan to let her have an affair turns out to be the worst one ever, when Veronica accidentally meets a hot hitman named Ronan. Ronan is the perfect morally grey book boyfriend, hot, tattooed, mysterious, and immediately obsessed with her. This of course angers her D-bag, unappreciative husband. This love triangle leads all of them into a web where their secrets and dark pasts threaten to upturn all of their lives.

Overall I was super impressed with how this story unfolded. The entire book is smart and well written and the ending was completely unexpected. Ronon was completely swoon worthy, and Veronica completely surprised me by the end. I am eager for more from this author, as well as for some character art. Because wow! I NEED to see Ronon for myself! ☺️


I received this book as an advanced reader through NetGalley, in exchange for its honest review. Thank you to the author or and publisher for the book.

This book started out thrilling and mysterious. I was excited to see what was going to happen. Unfortunately, only a handful of chapters in and I quickly lost interest. I think if you're a fan of instalove, you will probably like this but I am very much not which meant I was bored during the romance scenes and found myself wanting more of the mystery/female rage. Overall, I felt this book was severely lacking and it just didn't work for me. I do LOVE this cover and will be looking out for what this author writes next. This one just didn't hit.