Don't Lie To Me has a lot wrong with it - no real character development, no believable stakes, and no real twist. The writing is flat and feels more like a plot outline than world development. I understand that unlikable characters exist and are necessary - but I don't understand a book where there isn't a single redeemable mother (the kids of good moms can also be 'believable' kidnapped/hurt). There isn't a single good parent in this book. It was impossible to connect with any of the characters. And a good mystery book requires investigations. I finished it, but I will not be continuing the series or seeking out other books by Willow Rose.

I enjoyed this book so much! From the start it was full of action and I was sucked in. I enjoyed the different POVs throughout. The ending was also a complete shock to me and I didn’t see it coming. I can’t wait to pick up book 2 in this series!

Thank you Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Book: Don’t Lie To Me
Author: Willow Rose
Publisher: Buoy Media
Pub Date: April 15, 2022

This was just not the book for me. It didn’t hold my interest at all. I’m also not a “series” book fan and I didn’t realize this was part of series. Which I should have realized before I requested. I will still try another book from this author.

Thank you Buoy Media and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is April 15, 2022.

Don't lie to me by Willow Rose is the first book in the Eva Rae Thomas Mystery Series. Willow Rose does not disappoint. I love everything I read by her, and this is no exception. Although it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the complete series in order. You will get so much more out of it by knowing the background of each previous book.

This is a thrilling suspense, full of lots of twists and turns. Eva Rae is trying to put her life back together after her divorce. She resigned from the FBI as a profiler and moved back home with her 3 kids. A child is missing and eventually found dead. Eva Rae ends up helping the Sheriffs Dept in the investigation. Soon another child, the daughter of a senator comes up missing. Can Eva Rae save her before it’s too late?

This is a fast-paced, unputdownable book that will keep you reading into the night. It’s full of suspense, action and lots of drama. A very intriguing read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Buoy Media for this free eARC.

A 'new to me' series with Eva Rae Thomas. This one set in home town Cocoa Beach. She and her law enforcement boyfriend, solve a few crimes

I'm afraid this one was not for me. The dialogue just did not flow according to my reading ears and the male protagonist just did not seem to be made of hero material much of the time, though he may or may not have redeemed himself in the end (to avoid spoilers.) Also, I found it really hard to read about children being kidnapped, tortured, murdered and sometimes dismembered!

Wow, what a great start to a series! This is my first Willow Rose novel and I can promise you it won't be my last!I definitely didn't see that surprise ending, my two guesses on the bad guy were wayyy off lol I really enjoyed the twists and turns on this ride. Getting to know Eva Rae was an entire experience in itself; I feel like she's going to make a great detective for all her future cases/novels and I can't wait to prove my theory correct - there's like 10 more books in this series just WAITING for me to devour, so if you'll excuse me... 😘😉

As always, thanks so much netgalley for giving me the pdf so that I can share my thoughts and opinions with y'all 🧡

I'm trying to read everything Willow Rose has written. She has really captivated me. This is from the Eva Rae Thomas series, but there are other characters who each have their own set of stories. Eva Rae is sometimes likable, sometimes not likable, sometimes sympathetic, sometimes not so much. She will leave you wanting to read more, though!

First time reading this author - definitely won't be the last!

This book had me from the first chapter - a kidnapped Girl Scout! As a former GS employee I was hooked!

Willow does a great job in character development. Totally felt the characters were relatable, real people. The plot developed at a pace that was easy to keep up with and kept me wanting to turn the page. It was a fast read - maybe because of the short chapters that kept things moving.

Did not see the villain and was shocked! Can't wait till Eva's next!+

I can’t say I like it or don’t like it. It has a lot of missing parts to the story. It left me wondering what happened.

I liked this book. It was a fast read, with short chapters. I had it done in two sittings. I really liked Eva Rae's character. It's always nice to read about a strong female FBI (well former) agent. She was great, even if she had her doubts. I also liked Matt. I hope their relationship continues in the next books.

The twist...I did not see that one coming. It never even crossed my mind. I like when that happens. I think the author did a great job!

I did enjoy the setting of this book as it takes place in an area of FL not too far from me and also a beach town I visited often as a child.
This was however a tough read for me. The first half is in major need of some editing. The sentence structure was so distracting and often didn't make sense or flow easily. The dialogue was also very disjointed. The way the main characters spoke to each other didn't always come across as real or natural. I found myself having to reread passages over to make sure I was following .
While I realize that most mystery thriller books require some sense of stretched imagination or suspension of reality on the readers part some things were just too much for me. At times what the characters do or say just isn't inline with the way they were portrayed...for example the FBI professional mother leavers her young son outside in the car alone while she goes inside a house to find a child that was kidnapped by a child predator at large!! What in the World!!!???
I did finish this book even though I wanted to give up many times. It finally picked up and became much easier to read around 60% in. I found the ending suspenseful and engaging...but it also left me with questions and a storyline unanswered.
I might want to read the next in the series to know what happened...but then again I might not.
https://www.goodreads.com/sharlene_macaluso

Thanks NetGalley for my e-reader copy of this book!

3.5 Stars
This is my continuing enjoyment of this series.

Willow Rose has created a series that will keep you interested.

This is the second book in the series, and wow, it is even better than the first book! I enjoyed this so much, the intrigue, the drama, everything, can't wait to see where it goes in book 3! Recommended.

A whodunit book with lots of mystery and suspense. Personally, I did not like the shifting point of view each chapter. It was confusing and annoying to have to wait to see what happened after a previous chapter ended with a cliff hanger. Ultimately, the book seemed to be about divorce and emphasized the negativity of it. Although the main character fought this stigma, it still left a lasting impression.

The format of this book was one I could not download and read. It is disappointing to have this happen so much lately.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

Eva Rae Thomas has retired from the FBI and moved her three kids back home to Coca Beach, Florida. Eva is a recently single mom to her three kids, and she promised them that she would use her time to make a happy home life. Unfortunately, that is a promise she is unable to keep as more children turn up missing.. can she solve the murder?

This is the first book I have read by Willow Rose. I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope to read more by this author. Give it a try. You will not be disappointed!

After her husband leaves her for a younger woman, Eva Rae Thomas quits her job as an FBI profiler and moves back home to Cocoa Beach, FL, with her 3 kids. As they adjust to their new life, Eva Rae gets tangled up in a local case after a young girl kidnapped 3 months ago shows up dead. What I liked about this book: fast paced, quick read, and twists that I never saw coming. What could have been better: some of the plot elements were too far-fetched, as were Eva Rae's "chaotic" parenting skills. Overall, a recommended read if you're in the mood for a quick distraction.

This is the second boom by Willow Rose I have read. And it did not disappoint! It kept me on the edge of my seat, very suspenseful, the characters were very well done, and the plot was very well written. I hope to see more of the romance blooming in the next book! Absolutely recommend this book. Look for the authors other books as well!