Absolutely loved this! Didn’t know what to expect going in but it was a lovely introduction to NetGalley and I thought it was brilliant

A story about a wife who learns that her DA husband is cheating on her with his secretary. He offers her to let her have her own affair with a person he chooses, but she thinks it’s outrageous. It’s a dark romance where the villian gets the girl and also please know that there are talk about parents’ death, abuse and explicit sex scenes.
The story flows well with many POVs thrown at your however it all ties up properly at the end.

A huge sparkling 5 stars from me this book had me up to early hours of the morning, as I was so transfixed to the story. It was so good I read it within 24 hours! The ending had me gasping in awe!

This book will grip you from the very first page and hold you tightly in its grasp right until the very last page and it will leave you wondering what book you could possibly read next because no book would be able to top this one!

I’d highly recommend everyone to add this book to your reading list, you won’t be disappointed! A truly gripping psychological thriller!

Wow I'm spechless!!

Beneath Your Lifes started off as a gripping psychological thriller. The various POVs gave the story so much dimension. I had to know what would happen next to Veronica, Ronan, and Taylor. The story alternated between present and past, giving small clues and hints at what was going on.

I really enjoyed the writing and being thrown into action straight away. I kept turning the pages. This was unputdownable!

This is a solid 5-star read.

Veronica Sullivan's seemingly idyllic life gets turned on its head when she confronts her husband about his infidelity. Desperate to maintain his image as the State's District Attorney and salvage their marriage, he proposes a shocking solution-Veronica can indulge in her own affair, but only under his supervision! Wow wow wow!! Some truly shocking twists! Fantastic storyline with great suspense, murder, serial killers, mystery, fantastic characters, and a few jaw dropping moments! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I love the suspense and love the curve ball at the end. I did not expect it. I read this as an ARC and I am so glad I did. I will definitely be reading more from this author! My review contains spoilers on Goodreads.

4.5 ⭐ – Love love love!

Fast-paced, twisty, and told through three POVs - one of which brilliantly clicks into place at the end. Veronica and Ronan’s chemistry was a highlight, though one spicy scene felt a bit unrealistic given the events beforehand (the only reason I didn't give a full 5⭐).

Still, I absolutely loved reading this and I'm so happy that my very first ARC experience was such an amazing one. Thank you to Nicole Owens and NetGalley for the opportunity! I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for a second book… please say it’s coming!

Wow what a twist!
Started and finished this book today, couldn't put it down.
Got so into the characters and their stories, and the ending was a good suprise!
The spice was a great addition and didn't take away from the storyline.

A fantastic dark romance that I could not put down.

It gives female rage, forbidden love, suspenseful romance and revenge & healing.

Veronica has discovered that her District Attorney husband Richard has been unfaithful and she confronts him leading him to insist she moves into a hotel room and has her own affair to settle the score. But only with a man of his choosing and under his constant influence.

But Veronica has plans of her own. That is until she meets hitman Ronan. Dark and mysterious with his own demons. The chemistry between the two of them is undeniable and they find they can’t stay away from each other despite how dangerous it is for them both.

This story struck the perfect balance between story and spice. The spicy scenes are brilliantly written and leave you tingling. But they support the fantastic storyline that cleverly bridges genres of thriller, crime and romance.

The characters are complex and deep, and the cast of side characters are no different. I particularly loved Ronan’s best friend and hacker Sylvie. I was gripped by how Veronica and Ronan’s lives, secrets and destinies are linked and come to a head at the end.

Richard as the villain was the perfect blend of power and control. His influence of powerful people in the city was truly terrifying, you can’t help but love to hate him.

You learn more about the characters as the story progresses but some of the twists still had me gasping. And without giving away any spoilers the final chapter was a shocker that makes me think there will be a sequel. Fingers crossed.

A fantastically fun read that I absolutely devoured. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy

Whewwww this book splash some water on me lol !!! It was so good inviting page tuning wow !! I loved the storyline at first I was wondering where is this going but it took a different turn I didn’t like Veronica’s husband at all but I’m glad Veronica got on game and did what she had to do good good read thank you

I absolutely loved this book! Veronica and Ronan’s story had me hooked from page one — the perfect blend of slow-burn romance, raw emotion, and just enough suspense to keep me turning the pages late into the night. The chemistry between them felt real and earned, built through stolen moments, vulnerable conversations, and unshakable trust that developed over time.

What stood out most to me was how the story showed that trust takes time, people carry hidden battles, and love — while messy — can also be deeply healing. It’s a reminder that the past doesn’t have to define the future, and that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is open your heart again.

This book gave me all the feels, and I’m already excited for my next read from Nicole J. Owens!

I loved this from the moment it started. The characters are so realistic, I felt like any of them could be me (or someone I know)
The plot was SO twisted, up until the VERY LAST PAGE! literally...I forgot the name and then started reading like OMFG!
The amount of "YES GIRL' that I told myself while reading was hilarious.

I love a good thriller!
This was tense, suspenseful, twisty and such a page turner.
If you like thrillers definitely give this one a try! You won’t be disappointed!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“BENEATH YOUR LIES,” BY NICOLE J. OWENS. A stunning dark romance set to release 09/23/25.
🐍 “Good for her.”
🖤 Cheating husband trope.
🐍 Hitman MMC love interest.
🖤 FMC is wife of District Attorney.
🐍 Time jumps ( Present / Past ).
🖤 Insta-crush.
🐍 Forbidden love.
🖤 Dual POV.
Thank you to @netgalley for the opportunity to review. This one is for the baddies with a praise addiction, who are into overstimulation, and a man murdering for you. We love to see it.
OVERVIEW:
Veronica Sullivan’s seemingly idyllic life gets turned on its head when she confronts her husband about his infidelity. Desperate to maintain his image as the State’s District Attorney and salvage their marriage, he proposes a shocking solution-Veronica can indulge in her own affair, but only under his supervision.
As she embarks on this unconventional journey, Veronica meets Ronan, an enigmatic hitman haunted by his past who has a shared interest. They have an unmistakable, unquenchable connection, yet Veronica guards her own secrets closely, especially as a series of unsettling disappearances and murders grip the city. No matter how hard Veronica tries to deny it, there’s something about Ronan that keeps making her go back for more...
MY THOUGHTS:
I knew from the authors dedication page that this was going to be a riveting tale of revenge, and it turned out to deliver exactly that, and MORE. I was curious about the cast, and the characters were complex, and deep. Veronica was 100% my favorite, as I have a soft spot for candid, no-bullshit women. Ronan was a perfect love interest for her, equally as seductive as he was vicious, dark, and… traumatized. Lol.
Banter was absolutely delicious. More than enough twists and turns to keep me satisfied, and no spoilers… but that FINAL CHAPTER? YK WHO WAS THE KILLER?? OMG. PLEASE LET THERE BE A SEQUEL?? I’ll cry if not. Dual POV was the perfect choice. The MMC wasn’t the only one with a secret, which was an added cherry on the top. And the FMC’s secret is SO juicy that I actually gasped.
All in all, what a fun read!

Nicole J. Owens ventures into morally treacherous territory with Beneath Your Lies, crafting a psychological thriller that refuses to offer easy answers or comfortable protagonists. This is a novel that operates in the gray spaces between victim and perpetrator, exploring how betrayal can transform ordinary people into something unrecognizable. The result is both fascinating and occasionally frustrating—a story that succeeds through sheer audacity even when its execution wavers.

The novel’s greatest strength lies in its willingness to embrace psychological complexity without sanitizing difficult emotions. Owens creates characters whose responses to trauma feel genuinely unpredictable, avoiding the therapeutic frameworks that often constrain contemporary fiction about infidelity and revenge. The protagonist’s journey from wounded spouse to active participant in dangerous games feels psychologically authentic, even when morally questionable.

The central relationship crackles with the kind of intensity that makes readers question their own moral boundaries. Rather than presenting straightforward romance, Owens explores how desperation and attraction can become dangerously intertwined. The chemistry between her leads feels genuinely volatile—not just passionate but potentially destructive in ways that create authentic tension rather than manufactured drama.

Where the novel excels is in its atmospheric creation of mounting dread. Owens understands that the most effective psychological thrillers operate through accumulating unease rather than sudden shocks. The sense that violence lurks just beneath civilized surfaces permeates every interaction, making even mundane conversations feel charged with potential danger.

The narrative structure presents both opportunities and challenges. Multiple perspectives allow for complex character development and moral ambiguity, but the frequent shifts sometimes undermine emotional continuity. Just as readers begin investing in one character’s internal journey, the focus shifts to another viewpoint, creating distance that can work against the intimate psychological exploration the story seems to promise.

The genre-blending approach demonstrates admirable ambition but occasionally creates tonal inconsistencies. The domestic drama elements require different pacing than the thriller components, and the romantic threads need space to develop that sometimes conflicts with suspense requirements. When these elements align, the result is genuinely compelling; when they don’t, the story can feel pulled in competing directions.

Owens’ handling of morally complex characters deserves particular recognition. Rather than creating antiheroes who remain fundamentally sympathetic, she presents people whose choices genuinely challenge reader allegiances. This approach requires considerable skill—too much sympathy undermines the thriller elements, while too little makes the story unengaging.

The exploration of power dynamics within relationships adds sophisticated psychological texture. The novel examines how people use emotional manipulation, physical intimidation, and professional influence to control others, creating scenarios that feel uncomfortably realistic despite the heightened circumstances.

The pacing fluctuates between breathless urgency and contemplative character study, sometimes within the same chapter. While this creates variety, it can also disrupt narrative momentum at crucial moments. The story works best when these different speeds feel intentional rather than accidental.

For readers who like:
-Morally ambiguous protagonists
-Psychological thrillers
-Multi-perspective narratives

Final Verdict
Beneath Your Lies succeeds through pure boldness, creating a story that’s more interesting for its willingness to explore uncomfortable psychological territory than for its technical execution. Owens has crafted something genuinely provocative that will likely divide readers—some will appreciate its moral complexity while others may find its shifting focus frustrating. Despite structural issues, this remains compelling reading for those seeking fiction that doesn’t provide easy answers or comfortable protagonists.

Grateful to NetGalley, Moonlit Graves Publishing, and Nicole J. Owens for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book! Veronica and Ronans story is so beautiful and I love them! The plot twist was so unexpected and I loved it!

Very exciting beginning, draws you in immediately.
The characters evolve as the story progresses, making them realistic and making the story more intriguing.
It's well-written overall, at times there might be slight repetitions but they feel more stylistic and flow well in the book.
There are twists that keep the story intriguing and exciting.

Read this as an ARC on NetGalley and really enjoyed it!
I couldn’t put it down and read it in a day.

It’s a story of true female rage & revenge with forbidden romance and twists that I did not see coming.

The epilogue drew me in right away, as did the first sentence in Veronica’s first chapter. I loved that we were fed little hints of Veronica’s dark past without giving anything away. It kept me reading and wanting to work it all out.

Ronan is the morally grey mmc that you know you shouldn’t root for but find yourself doing exactly that. I’m not usually a fan of the instant love trope but it worked so well in this story and felt more believable given Ronans background.


4/5 star dark romance.

This book has all the things. A mystery guessing through the entire story, with steamy scenes sprinkled in. Loved, loved, loved it!

Veronica, the wife of the district attorney finds out her husband is cheating on her. She confronts him and he offers a solution to ‘save their marriage’, that she can have an affair with someone else of his choosing. Veronica meets Ronan, a hitman and they share an immediate connection and chemistry. They each have their own secrets and past.

I really really enjoyed this book! It drew me in from the beginning. There was so much suspense and plot twists throughout that kept me so engaged and wanting to read more. I absolutely loved Veronica’s character, she was so strong and loved her and Ronan. Loved the different pov of each character, allowed me to learn more about each character. Absolutely loved and the plot twists at the end, oh my!!!

5 STAR READ!!

When I read the description of this book, I was completely sold. And I was not mistaken.

I suspected what had happened to Victoria since almost the beginning (I read a lot of Nordic crime novels when I was in my twenties), but it didn't prevent me to enjoy a very well-narrated plot. The side characters are very well described, and that really helps you get into the book and feel part of the story. I loved Sylvie and Lauren since the first time they appeared on-page.

The spice is top-notch, and who doesn't love a morally grey hero and some "touch her and die" scenes? I definitely do. Victoria and Ronan are perfect for each other, and I was plotting Richard's demise alongside her the whole book.

100% recommended!
Happy reading! 🥰

Everything seems normal for Veronica until she finds him having an affair and her husband suggest she do the same except he will pick her affair partner.
DA's young wife Veronica and hitman Ronan suffered tragedies in their lives that changed their lives forever. They met and they fell strong connection to each other. More time they spent together, they understood each other and also fell in love in the process.
I wasn't sure what I should expect but couple of reviews convinced me to read right away. So I started and finished in couple days.
This book is not what I expected and it made me wonder and question some of the POV's like who is Taylor. There were so many secrets, lies like puzzle pieces and it was solved at the end. And last chapter was even more shocking. I hope there is another book. I enjoyed it and this is first time reading.this author and I enjoyed it.
I received this book via netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

thank you to Netgalley and Moonlit Graves Publishing for the ARC!

is this book high literature? absolutely the fuck not. is it an absolute blast with a ton of twists that I devoured in about two hours? well, yes!

I do find it genuinely endearing that I think the only characters in this book are:
1. the dark romance murdercouple
2. truly awful straight men who only exist to bother the murdercouple, who then murders and/or tortures them
3. very cool lesbians/bi ladies

also did the author watch Supernatural because Sylvie (I LOVE HER??? I am shocked by how much I enjoyed a character in this silly book) is soooo Charlie Bradbury

This story is full of secrets, lies, and jaw-dropping twists that kept me turning the pages late into the night. The pacing never let up, and every revelation pulled me deeper in. Suspenseful and addictive all the way through.

Alright, I just devoured this book and WOW! 🤯 If you're craving something dark, twisted, and utterly addictive, this is it. Veronica's husband's "solution" to his infidelity is wild, and it throws her right into the path of Ronan, a hitman with an undeniable, scorching connection. 🔥 Seriously, their chemistry is off the charts, but the suspense with the murders and secrets? It's a total mind-bender. This book is NOT for the faint of heart (in the best way!), but if you love a morally gray heroine, a dangerous hero, and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very last page, you absolutely have to pick this up. So good! ❤️

If you frame a hitman for murders he actually committed, is it technically framing?

First of all, this was a wonderful debut. Seriously. I had so much fun reading this--it's engaging, it's fun, it's an enjoyable very funny captivating read.
-----------
He's a hitman set on offing the DA, she's married to the DA, what could go wrong??
Richard, a corrupt DA mid-reelection campaign, caught cheating by his wife, books her a hotel stay, and has the audacity to set her up on a line of dates that he so chooses -- so that they could "get past this", but Veronica ain't an idiot, she knows what she's worth, and she's got plans of her own.
This man sees her once, says nothing, and immediately decides she’s his. If that sounds horrifying, fair. If you're willing to enter “lol okay delusional hitman in love??” mode -- congrats, you're about to have a great time.
-----------
Sidenote -- this book is pitched as “Adult fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Romance" (in that order) -- and while the mystery/thriller parts are definitely there, they don’t really hit full force until about the 60% mark. Before that, it’s mostly romance with a vibe of “something is going on, but don’t worry about it yet.” -- But that didn't bother me cause I was already fully invested 10% in and the mystery elements that creeped in slowly had me guessing, theorizing, oooing and noooing early on. It was genuinely a really good satisfying read. Still, if you're expecting nonstop action, know that this leans heavily romance.

The book also uses multiple POVs, something I am usually not a fan of, but it was done really well here -- I was happy when the pov shifted, each shift felt satisfying and like it was exactly what I needed at that moment from the book -- this book was really good pacing/structure wise

If you like dark romance with emotional mess, complicated characters, and a plot that slowly opens up and twists around itself, I think you'll enjoy this as much as I did.
------------------
Also, side note? Ronan seems like kind of a terrible hitman with terrible opsec. But he’s got baby-blue eyes and I'll take it Veronica dw
------------------

Her husband cheats. His fix? Let her stray—while he watches. But when she meets Ronan, a hitman with secrets, their affair spirals into danger, disappearances, and murder.

OHHHH MY DANG, did I eat this book up! I finished the entire thing in a little over a day, which I don’t normally do, since I have two feral boys at home and work a full time job. This book is THAT GOOD! It has literally everything a romance/thriller reader like me loves. Suspense? CHECK. A smoking hot morally grey man? CHECK. TWISTS ON TWISTS ON TWISTS?! CHECKKKKK. I will absolutely be buying the physical copy is this beauty when it is released because I need a trophy for this masterpiece!

This book was amazing. This spicy romantic suspense had be turning the pages faster than ever. First off I loved the writing, it really pulled you in on the first chapter. The suspense starting from the beginning hooked me. Also love the short chapters, just something I enjoy. The twists and turns in this book were a complete mind blow and caught me off guard.

Veronica Sullivan the wife of DA Richard, catches her husband cheating. He has something to help “save” their marriage and very unconventional. Veronica stays at a hotel and prepares for dates with other men to essentially call it even with Richard but the games have just begun. Veronica meets Ronan the hitman ordered to kill Richard, and they have an immediate connection and Veronica can’t seem to stay away from him. They have their own secrets proving some secrets can never stay buried no matter how hard you try.

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!

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 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.

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 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!

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.

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.

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 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.

“…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 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!

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.

*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.

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!🫶🏼)

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!

***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.

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!

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!

🌟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

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. 🌟

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.