Rating: 4.25/5

This book was such a fun surprise for me. It’s first and foremost a thriller/mystery, which I loved. It felt like a puzzle I had to solve, and I was completely hooked from the get go. This was one of those books where I found myself ignoring my to-do list because I just wanted to keep reading and piece everything together. There was something about this book that reminded me of Butcher & Blackbird minus the gore and humor.

The tension between Veronica and Ronan was another highlight. Their chemistry really jumped off the page, and while I wouldn’t have minded a few more spicy scenes, that’s only because the ones we got were so good. I actually appreciate that the author didn’t throw in unnecessary spice just for the sake of it. Every moment between them felt intentional and helped move the story forward, which I think made those scenes hit even harder.

Were there moments that felt predictable? Sure. A couple of the secrets I guessed before they were revealed. But even with that, there was one twist that completely caught me off guard and left me grinning—I love when a book surprises me like that. It also made me really curious to see where Owens might take this story next, because there’s definitely room for more.

All in all, this was such a quick, engrossing read with the perfect mix of mystery and romance. If you’re looking for a thriller that keeps you turning the pages and gives you just enough heat to make things interesting, this one’s worth picking up.

This was a book that kept me sooo interested! I absolutely loved the story line. The characters all had their own stories to tell, but tied together so beautifully. There was some spice, as well as some twists and turns. It was a great combination of smut and thriller!

“…a woman’s fury is patient. It’s silent. It’s cunning. What is that saying? Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

Excuse me, how is this her debut novel. Literally could not put it down. The twist at the end, perfect and jaw dropping. Seriously loved this book so much!

Veronica and Ronan, Lordy be. They were perfect. The built up tension and the fact that they recognized the darker parts in each other: it was like fated mates.

This book felt like a contemporary romance, mixed into dark romance and I ate it up! The way this man was possessive from the first look was everything. And Veronica being just as obsessed was the cherry on top. I loved the different POV’s and really not knowing where the story was leading to. It was the perfect setup for the ending.

I can’t wait to see what you write next!

Tropes:
❤️Dark romance
🐍Romantic suspense
❤️Touch her and ☠️ vibes
🐍Revenge and secrets
❤️Twists and turns
🐍He falls first
❤️Female rage and revenge
🐍Slow burn romance
❤️Twist ending

This book was such a wild ride! I honestly didn’t expect to get pulled in so quickly, but once I started, I couldn’t put it down. It strikes that perfect balance between story and spice: the chemistry between Veronica and Ronan is absolutely electric, but what I loved most is that the heat never overshadowed the actual plot. Every scene served the thriller-meets-crime-meets-romance vibe the book was going for.

Richard, as the villain, was chillingly well done. That mix of power, control, and his influence over the city’s elites made him the kind of antagonist you love to hate. Meanwhile, Veronica and Ronan’s dual POV gave such depth to their story. Two broken people finding each other amidst secrets, lies, and danger. Their connection felt raw and magnetic, and the way their past tragedies shaped them made me root for them even harder.

The pacing was quick and intense, a blend of the predictable and the surprising (that last chapter left my jaw on the floor). The puzzle of secrets and lies unraveled beautifully, and though I saw some turns coming, others completely caught me off guard.

It's gripping, sultry, and suspenseful. It’s a genre-blending story that keeps you hooked until the very end. Definitely one I’d recommend if you love romance tangled up with danger, dark secrets, and a touch of shock factor.

My copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Moonlit Graves Publishing for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Feeling like I found a gem reading this book. Had A LOT more spice than I was anticipating but I’m not mad about it. I really believe the cover threw me off and I was expecting it to be more thriller/mystery heavy but the spice in this was amazing.

If you watched “The Hunting Wives” on Netflix and are a fan of Frieda McFadden and the “Made” series by Danielle Lori - this is the book for you. This is a plot twist filled spiderweb and by the end you see where each point intersects. Throughout the book you’re seeing these POV chapters from a character who had not been introduced but it’s easy to guess who the individual really is. However, by the end you’re seeing all of these plot twists play out and boy, do they keep on comin’.

This is very much a insta-love kind of read that is borderline obsessive but sometimes, the man really does need to fall (obsess) first. The MMC is absolutely a morally grey type of guy (and the FMC starts to slowly show her shades of grey throughout) but you’re routing for them anyways.

I am not a proud member of the “Richard needs to die” fanclub because that man had me FUMING. I loved the thriller aspect to this and was actually invested in how everything played out. This was the type of book I was thinking about when I wasn’t actively reading.

As a girl who doesn’t normally read epilogues (I know, I’m sorry) I am telling you the epilogues of this is a MUST read because it will leave you wanting book 2 even more.

This spicey thriller was right up my alley. I love a good feminine rage book. I really enjoyed the writing and pace of the book as well.

WOW — this ARC. Beneath Your Lies by @Author -Nicole J. Owens had me hooked from page one. Suspense, romance, plot twists, secrets, strong FMC, "touch her and die" MMC...I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Veronica discovers her husband's cheating - and his solution? She should have an affair of her own - with conditions. Along this crazy twisty journey she meets Ronan, a hitman.

Their chemistry? Off the charts.
The spice? Intoxicating.
The twists? Nail biting.
The suspense? Gripping.
The ending? Still in awe.

If you love suspense + romance + shocking twists, you need this book on your TBR.

Beneath Your Lies is a terriffic debut novel from Nicole J Owens, She describes it as 'a spicy romantic suspense' in her afterward, and it's certainly all that and then some.
The book is a page-turner with often literal twists, turns and contortions on every page. A great read.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

This is a 3.5 for me!
I enjoyed the suspense and the twists and turns of this book. I had guessed parts of the ending but not all which made it more fun for me to find I hadn’t guessed it all. I thought the story was weaved well; with each character serving an important purpose. I didn’t find myself liking or routing for the main characters but I suppose given who they are that’s not 100% unexpected. What I did enjoy was how baddass and in control of her own fate Veronica was. I enjoy reading about strong women. For me, I’d have enjoyed this book more if the relationship between the two main characters was a bit less dominating and dark and a bit more authentic. While there were authentic moments, I didn’t believe that the relationship was as deep as it was made out to be because it was all about control in those ‘smutty’ moments. The language used in the spicy moments wasn’t something I generally enjoy reading either. I’d have probably preferred the romance if it had been less dark- that’s my personal preference.

Beneath your lies is a dark story of revenge that kept me hooked right from the start. I loved Veronica and was rooting for her and Ronan! This was an easy read and came together nicely in the end.

I can’t say I loved this book unfortunately. I thought it was good in some places and just ok in others. I found it a little inconsistent at times which was a bit disappointing but I wouldn’t say I hated it. I’ve rounded ir up to 3 stars. It was fast paced and held my interest throughout,

Usually I don't really take on dark romance books because well...no one would like a romance like that in real life so when I dive in one of these, it's a no thoughts, empty brain exercise for me. With this I am not saying they are bad books, just they are not for ME.
However, I really liked the thriller side, action and twists of this one. I think the pace it's perfect, the amount of information that it's released every chapter it's perfect to keep you enganged and hooked (worked for me for sure because I couldn't put this down). And the three POVs make everything click perfectly.
I would say what I like the least about the book it's the main couple. I am not sure why, I just didn't vibe with them together I guess. Also there's one spicy scene...yeah, nope. I had to backtrack and reread to be sure I read correctly what had just happened.
Overall is a really fun and entertaining book honestly.

This profanity laced psychological thriller will keep you turning the pages. The characterizations and plot twist are well written. There are a lot of different things going on in the story. I was given a complementary copy of this book and opinions are my own.

When broken, damaged people meet a corrupt, power-mad man sparks fly, and not all of them in the fun, sexy way.

In a city that is besieged by someone murdering young women, Veronica gives her District Attorney husband Richard Sullivan, a lot of latitude, people are scared, and this makes for late nights at the office...or does it. Veronica finds proof that he is having an affair with his young secretary Olivia and confronts him about it, finally she will have a way out of this relationship that is no longer working for her. What she doesn't expect, is Richard sending her to a hotel to have an affair of her own to balance the scales. Richard will set up dates for her to accomplish this.

Veronica understandably needs a drink after everything that transpired and sits in the hotel bar, where she locks eyes with a blue-eyed stranger. She imagines being with someone new could be fun, but then is approached by a boring suit guy, that tells her Richard sent him. She dismisses him but it's too late, blue eyes is gone.

Meanwhile, Ronan receives a list of names of people that need to be 'taken care of', culminating in a very prominent member of the city. He puts his confidant and tech support agent, Sylvie in charge of research and surveillance, and the levels of corruption she uncovers just makes him that much more interested in completing his task.

But then Ronan and Veronica's paths cross and the sparks that fly are impossible to extinguish. Richard continues to behave in more despicable fashion setting up a somewhat ridiculous yet satisfying comeuppance.

This book was at turns ridiculous, sexy, frustrating and so unrealistic and yet I enjoyed it overall. Great literature, no. Great fun, sure.

2.5 ⭐️ rounded up, spoilers included

Veronica's way-too-old, controlling, abusive husband cheated on her and to get her back under his thumb and reset the balance of power, he proposes a solution: sleep with someone else to make it 'fair.' Of course, his idea of how this situation should go and what she wants are diametrically different. Then Ronan spots her in her hotel bar, and all bets are off.

The opening chapters were strong, cover is absolutely beautiful, and I appreciated the dark blend of romance, spice, violence, and female rage. The pacing made it easy to finish in a couple of sittings.

That said, I found the tone and prose less consistent after the first few chapters, which was disappointing as that’s what drew me in. Along with some overly detailed descriptions that broke immersion (e.g., a heavy bag being described multiple times being inside a ring, which isn’t how gyms are structured). I also prefer more of an 'insta-lust' over 'insta-love' dynamics and found certain plot turns predictable. The ending with Olivia felt like it was purely series setup rather than fully earned.

Another personal critique: the story includes a Black woman character whose purpose seemed less about being her own person and more importantly to serve as a sacrifice for the FMC’s journey. Although she’s repeatedly described as intelligent, invaluable, and beautiful, it doesn't offset the fact that she’s used by the MMC, then positioned as a sacrifice for the FMC (who even calls her that verbatim), then finally redirected into a 'safe' pairing with the FMC’s female best friend, after not being able to resist flirting with the FMC earlier, as well. It’s a trope I’ve seen too often, and one I wish authors would leave behind.

Overall, though, this was a dark and interesting story that fans of DR will enjoy. It’s entertaining, dramatic, and delivers on multiple forms of female rage, even if some elements didn’t land for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pretty Average – Lots of Tropes, Some Decent Moments
Beneath Your Lies was an okay read. The story had some intense moments and a few twists that kept me turning the pages, but overall, it felt pretty familiar—like a mix of every dark romance/mystery trope I’ve read before.
You've got the brooding bad boy with a dark past, the “strong but secretly broken” heroine, secrets that unfold just slowly enough to drag things out, and of course, the love-hate dynamic that turns into romance. If you like those tropes, you might enjoy it more, but for me, it didn’t bring anything new to the table.
Some parts of the plot felt a little rushed or underdeveloped, and I didn’t always buy into the characters’ choices. The writing wasn’t bad, but it leaned pretty heavily into drama-for-drama’s-sake at times.
Not a terrible book, just not super memorable either. A quick read if you’re in the mood for something intense but predictable.

Handsome hitman and scorned woman fall in love and they want the bad guys to pay for their crimes. This was sexy and thrilling and full of twists. I was hooked and could not put this down. The epilogue was intriguing and I see another book on the horizon for this author. Fantastic read.

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

this book left me with very mixed feelings. on one hand, there are aspects that simply didn't work for me. on the other, i can't deny how quickly i devoured it.

first of all, i have to admit i'm not a fan of multiple POVs. while the alternating perspectives added variety, the short length of the chapters meant that i never truly connected with any of the characters. instead of deepening the plot, the structure made it feel fragmented. plus, i found all of the characters to be quite superficial, only to fit certain tropes without nothing else to say about them (the bad, mean husband, the poor wife trapped in a sad marriage, the bad boy who comes to save her, etc.)...

as a thriller, i don't think this book fully succeeds, the crime elements that could have added suspense were often overshadowed by the drama between the characters, to the point that they became almost forgettable. on, and the romance! of course. honestly, i think the thriller aspect to it all only comes at the end of the book. however, if i shift my perspective and judge it purely as a dark romance, it makes much more sense. the messy relationships, dramatic conflicts, and wild, almost unbelievable twists are hallmarks of the genre, and in that respect, the book delivers exactly what fans might expect.

despite my criticisms, i want to highlight that this was an incredibly easy and engaging read. there's no denying how addictive it was. i sat down and read it straight through in a short span of time, it reminded me of wattpad-style stories: fast-paced, dramatic, and a little chaotic, but compulsively readable. i personally enjoy books like that from time to time, so i can't fault it for being entertaining.

so, if you're looking for a polished, layered thriller with strong character work, this isn't for you. but for readers who love dark romance, then his book is exactly what it sets out to be. it wasn't perfect for me, but it was undeniably addictive, and sometimes that's exactly what we all need from a book :)

This book was absolutely amazing, I was hooked from the very beginning! The chapters were short and are written in multi POV. Which is my favorite style of writing. The book does have some pretty spicy scenes and a jaw dropping ending. READ READ READ this book!