I really enjoyed this book, if you're going to pick it up be aware that this definitely is a mystery/thriller; however, I would also classify it as a romance. I enjoyed the mesh of genres that Michelle Cruz was able to achieve, but if you don't like romance then you may not like this!

Reagan Reyes is a former intelligence officer now working as the in-house investigator for the well known and pricey criminal defense attorney, Cade McCarrick. She is also in a relationship with him, despite the law firm's strict rule against workplace romance. One day a mysterious woman comes in the office and leaves an envelope for Cade; just a few hours later the same woman is found dead. Reagan is determined to find out what happened - no matter the cost.

This was really well written! The reader can truly picture the people & places described. This was a quick read for me the plot kept me engrossed and I couldn't put it down! I loved the featuring of a female hero, and Reagan was a fantastic character to play that part! I loved her character and how intelligent and independent she is.

The audio was done very well! I love Nan McNamara's narration always, and this was no exception! The story was brought to life even more through the audio.

If you are a reader who enjoys a strong female lead, a good mystery, romantic elements, and forbidden romance then pick this up! You won't regret it!!

This was a really fun cat-and-mouse domestic/legal suspense read!

I thoroughly appreciated that the author pointed out the harsh and shitty parts of being both (and even one of the two) female and Latinx in America right now (and historically). The prejudice, the racism, the unspoken assumptions that go along with both.

I also very much loved the investigative side of this story—unraveling threads that barely existed…only to find they’re intricately intertwined with literally everything else.

As an avid thriller reader, I wouldn’t necessarily categorize this as a true thriller, but it was definitely suspenseful and had enough intrigue and mystery to hold my rapt attention. I didn’t want it to end! The book moved at a good pace, and I didn’t really find any slower spots (yay!).

Overall, great read and I would read more by this author! Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Dreamscape Media for a review copy!

I wasn't really sure what I had to say about this after finishing it. I read a few other reviews, and do agree with one thing. This book kind of has an identity crisis going on. Is it suspense or romance? Yes, there is such a thing as romantic suspense (Sandra Brown does it best), but the two components were not woven together well. They were very separate for the most part. Maybe because we start the book with them already being a couple and living together? You lose all the chemistry from two people who meet and are in a dangerous situation.


Now, where I differ from a lot of other reviewers- I actually preferred the romance to the suspense. While there were a couple of surprises, the mystery wasn't hard to figure out. I was annoyed that the characters hadn't figured it out.

The audiobook is narrated by Nan McNamara. Nan McNamara does a good job and this book works as an audiobook. (I say that because I just DNFed an audiobook due to having far too many characters and I could not keep track.)

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this audiobook, though I felt the story skewed a bit more toward romance than mystery/suspense. The relationship was a key element of the plot, and, while I enjoyed the way Reagan and Cade's romance developed, it felt in some ways that the mystery was secondary. There also weren't a ton of surprises. Everything unfolded fairly neatly without many twists and turns. That being said, I liked the characters and was happy to be along for the ride that led to a suspenseful conclusion.

A family deception that threatens to destabilize a business, leading to some twists and turns along the way. The manner in which the characters are exposed one by one gives way to a great ending.

Received ARC audiobook through NetGalley.

DNF. I really wanted to like this book. It is the perfect set up for a great beach read - there’s romance, mystery, a strong female lead. I couldn’t even make it to 50% of the audiobook though. This was one of the slowest books I’ve encountered. The “mystery” is introduced within the first couple pages but then only referred to for the next third of the book. You don’t actually find anything out about it until almost halfway. Which normally is fine as it builds tension… nope. They spent half the time talking about how Reagan shouldn’t be investigating it because Cade doesn’t want her to. Investigating what??? I was genuinely lost the whole time with the mystery aspect.

Additionally, I considered putting the audio book on 1.5 speed. The author was overly descriptive. About everything. In the middle of dialogue, there were long rants about feelings and emotions or scenery that felt irrelevant and also distracting. There were multiple times were I had to rewind just to figure out what was last said as Reagan went on a 5 minute rant about Cade in the court room back Cade in the bed.

Unfortunately, would not recommend.

Even When You Lie by Michelle Cruz was a page turning thriller with a good sprinkling of romance. The pacing was quick and full of action. The plot twists were kind of easy to see coming but still executed well. The characters were all so interesting. I really enjoyed getting to know them throughout the story. This is a must read for fans of a modern romantic mystery.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

Too much unnecessary romance.

The first quarter of the story is very crucial, it pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the novel. Instead of focusing on the mystery aspect of the story, there was too much needless romance. It dragged the story down and I found the writing to be disjointed at times. Sadly, I couldn't get into the story. I finished it, but nothing stood out. Overall, not for me.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Michelle Cruz, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

This book was super fast-paced and action-packed. The mystery kept me wanting to know more and discover all the connections and twists. There was a lot of romance, which is not always my favorite, but it was well written and didn't take away from the mystery.

Former intelligence officer, Reagan Reyes has started a new career as an in-house intelligence officer at an up-scale Dallas law firm. She has also started a new relationship with her boss, Cade McCarrick despite the firms policy against in-house relationships. Even though they have to lie about their relationship they have promised never to lie to each other. But that changes when a mysterious woman drops off an envelope for Cade and then drops dead. The following investigation draws Raegan into a web of crime and corruption in Dallas’s corporate world. She is completely on her own and will have to use all of her skills to survive.

Even When You Lie is a fast paced, heart pounding corporate thriller with a strong, capable female main character. There is a good level of suspense and twists to keep the plot moving and make it interesting. I really liked the characters in this novel. Reagan is smart, confident and knows how to handle herself. Cade is genuine and respects Raegan as an equal. I appreciated how the author portrayed a healthy relationship between two mature adults instead of the stereotypical toxic relationship.

I thought I had this one all figured but then the final twist hit and I was completely wrong! I was pleasantly surprised by this debut novel and can’t wait to see what Michelle Cruz writes next!

Story about privilege and what it can cost you. Learning who you can trust with your life and your secrets. An up and coming lawyer who chose the wrong law firm and becomes entangled in a family drama.

Thank you for the arc (Audio version). I went in to this book with the wrong impression. The book summary was a little misleading. I was expecting an investigative thriller. The story seemed to focus more on the main character’s relationship than anything else, it lacked details on the investigation side of the story. Given their background, I expected them to be a little more badass than they were. I’d describe it as a romance read with some added mystery. Or maybe a slow burn suspense? Don’t get me wrong, I love a romantic thriller. This one just didn’t do it for me. Some parts fell flat but it did eventually pick up, there was a little more action towards the end. I still think it’s a solid debut, I enjoyed the narration and look forward to what the author comes up with next.

The book centers around Reagan and Cade. An investigator and lawyer at a prestigious law firm in Dallas. Their relationship has been a secret since they started working together. Reagan thinks that is the biggest secret she will have to keep. Until a woman with pink hair walks into the office with an envelope that will change everything.

Reagan and Cade are caught up in decades long struggle that will uncover a prestigious family’s darkest secrets.

I really enjoyed the book but I have to say the romantic portion was kind of cheesy. Cade and Reagan love each other…. that doesn’t need to be every other paragraph. It was unexpected and based on the description I expected more thriller/ mystery elements. Overall the book was enjoyable and if you like romance with your thrillers this is a good choice.

Romantic thrillers have become one of my new favorites. I really enjoyed the suspense and romance in this one. The narrator was fabulous as well!

Even When You Lie by Michelle Cruz is a mystery thriller with some romance mixed in. I was intrigued by the combination. I listened to the audiobook, which was done very nicely. The story held my attention reasonably well, but at times I found it difficult to follow all the characters, which weakened the plot for me. I think this novel might be good for someone interested in legal, investigative thrillers that don’t go too deep into the details. Also maybe someone with a Dallas connection - there were regular mentions of various parts of the city.

Special thanks to Dreamscape Media for the audiobook ARC via NetGalley.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Mystery
Key details:
- work place romance
- mysterious envelope
- random death
- privileged characters

Not the most engaging mystery, but I did want to see how it ended! I would listen to a second one, if it was ever written! I’d love to hear about the co-worker’s relationships in a second book.

This one was just okay. It wasn’t one that was so great that it will stick with me, but overall it was an okay read. The plot was interesting enough to keep me reading until the end. The story focuses a lot on the romantic relationship between the 2 main characters so you get a genre that is both romance and thriller. The pace is a little erratic, it starts off with a bang and then slows way down and drags through the middle and then picks back up at the end. The characters were just okay, I felt like they needed a little more development. I was confused by the main character, Reagan. She was ex-military and an investigator but played the part of damsel in distress and needed protection from the men around her. From the description of her background I expected her to be a strong female lead. I just didn’t get that from her.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the Arc Even When you Lie. I was sent the audio version of this book. I think the narrators did a great job. The storyline was intriguing and kept you wanting to know what happens next.

This story kept me wanting more and more throughout the entire book. I was so upset whenever someone would interrupt my reading because I needed to know "who dunnit" and why. Michelle Cruz made sure the reader understood what it was like to be a woman working in a male dominated field. I appreciated her voice, but it became too repetitive towards the end.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you Dreamscape media for the advanced listening copy!

Reagan Reyes has found the perfect job, prime investigator for pricey criminal defense attorney, Cade McCarrick. With her military background and secret, budding romance with Cade, Reagan is known for being great at her job and finding the secrets of others. When a mysterious woman comes into the office with an envelope for Cade, then ends up dead on the street, Reagan can't help herself but investigate the sudden death and her possible connections to Cade/the firm. Reagan suddenly finds herself on the receiving end of violence in a race against those who desperately want to keep their secrets hidden.

I enjoyed this one so much more than I was expecting. It started off a little slow for me but was soooo worth the perseverance, as it turned into a gripping thriller with a great mystery. This was described as a "romantic thriller," which is the perfect descriptor. I loved the romantic moments mixed in with the complexity of the rest of the story. The book really kept me guessing, with some great moments of foreshadowing that were so fun as the reader. I really grew to cherish the complexities of Reagan's character. The narration was fantastic and very well done, with some poetic language throughout. Overall, a really solid thriller that was a fun listen.