Murder Notes by Lisa Jones was a difficult book for me to finish. Sure this is catnip for some readers but the super-wealthy woman - an FBI profiler - pursued by men but uninterested reads like a man writing about a woman. Like a reverse batman without the cool villains. This is the first book in the 'Lilah Love' series I don't intend to read the others.

Good mystery and very good pacing blended with romance. The one thing I would change is that cliffhangers need to be written in a way that you still feel you good a complete book. When done right, I've even loved some cliffhangers because they can add to the emotional experience, but when not, they just feel anticlimactic.

Murder Notes was a bit different from the previous author's books. It did take me a little bit to get into this story, But I was in it I couldn't put the book down Lilah Love's story is full of suspense, mystery. Thanks netgalley

Lilah love daughter of an actress and a police chief has a secret to hide. Since joining the FBI and becoming a profiler she has helped solve many crimes and moved away from the Hampton's set she was brought up in, That is until a series of murders appearing to be linked to her past and secrets force her return. Whom is it that is behind the murders? Who is taunting her with notes hinting they know her secret? What actually happened that fateful night on the beach? I am loving this crime mystery and it is keeping me guessing with its twists and turns which is good because if I think I knowvtge answers I rush through to the end to see if I was right and am often then left dissatisfied that it was to easy to solve. I am about to dive in to book 2 Murder girl and still trying to figure this puzzle out,

FBI Agent Lilah Love is a New York native who loves to shock with her pretty looks and foul mouth. A serial killer takes her from California back to her hometown in New York – all the while causing flashbacks of what forced her to flee in the first place.

Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. I couldn’t connect with the main character because I didn’t get enough of a background. There was so much secrecy about her past and what happened that I didn’t feel like I could find a common ground with her. I also did not like the constant flashbacks in the middle of a chapter; it was hard to bounce back and forth between the two storylines. For me, this was a typical murder mystery – so definitely grab it, especially if you’re looking for a series to get into – but there was nothing special to set it apart from the others.

This is the first book in a series and you will need to be committed to reading the next one as the book ends abruptly and the next one begins immediately after.

Lilah Love is a FBI profiler and she has all the badass qualities you would hope for. Really enjoyed this first novel and am now straight into the next!

The title and the author caught my attention then hooked once the pages are turned. I do not often get to read this author so this was a treat. This is also fitting into my reading taste of late when I notice too the character is a FBI profiler. This also will have a series of murders so that promised intensity at times and it delivered. But folks it is not a serial killer according to Lilah. All paths go to her place she grew up so things will and do get deep. Now with family and history in the picture this gives you alot to sink yourself into. You left with questions though needing answers so be ready to devour to get to the next one.

I was hooked from the beginning to the end. Fantastic storyline and wonderful characters Can't wait to read more by Lisa Renee Jones

Honestely this book is first in a series and you should definitely *not* pick it up if you don't want to be stuck to multiple books since this first one ends. Not even in a cliffhanger, it just stops in what could be the middle of the book if books 1 and 2 were properly combined with an ending that makes sense.
Also don't pick it up if you want romance, cause multiple times stating you hate a guy and what he respresents, yet feel yourself drawn too because of certain events in your past and have sex with out of anger is not romance.

Yet the dynamic between Lilah Love, FBI profiler and Kane Mendez, alleged cartel leader,is interesting and I did end up liking the pairing. The book is written in a first-person pov (Lilah's) and I think the writer puts too much effort in creating her like a dark character to explain her connection to Kane. Her repetitive thinking about her being a coldblooded killer as if that would explain why she liked Kane started to annoy me. He's tall, dark, handsome and a little (or lot) dangerous...everyone will be tempted.
It might sound as if it was not enjoyable at all, but that's not the case. I was interested to see where it would lead and who would be the people behind all the murders. So yes, I did start book 2 which proves there's something interesting enough to keep going.
Just don't pick it up if you're offended by a f*ck here or there and only want to read about perfect, female FBI profilers.

*** An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review. ***

3 1/2 you have my attention stars (rounded up)

Murder Notes is the first book in a series, and it ends in a cliffhanger (that feels like it's right in the middle of the story), so you should definitely know that going in bc there is no resolution to anything at the end of this ride.

Lilah Love is:
- daughter of a very famous movie star (who died about 10 years earlier in an accident) and a police chief from a small town turned mayor and now wannabe governor of the state of NY
- a former NYPD detective that became an FBI agent and moved relatively suddenly from NY to LA a couple of years ago
- ex-girlfriend of the heir to a giant drug cartel that insists he is not involved in and is instead a businessman
- current-ish girlfriend of a surfer-looking dude that happens to be a fellow FBI agent in Los Angeles (though she is trying to break up with him bc she knows he's not for her)

Lilah Love is not:
- taking any sh!t from anyone, sorry not sorry
- someone's "woman"
- going to be bullied into going along with the plan when she doesn't believe in the cause or buy into your BS
- a victim - yes, she was attacked, but she more than got the better of the man who dared try to one up her, and she does not feel badly... not even a little... which kind of makes her worry a little (okay, a lot)
- not leaving until she solves these crimes
- not staying either

But now Lilah Love has a problem: someone has laid down clues in the form of assassin-like murders that have led her back to the literal scene of the crime: her former home in The Hamptons where her brother is now the chief and her father the mayor. And her former bestie the ADA. And plenty of people that would like to see her fall flat on her face. So not only does she need to figure out why people are dying and why someone obviously wants her attention, but she has to do so while navigating the landmines that riddle her past. And the man she left behind that has never truly let her go.

What I liked:
--- Lilah started off a little too rough but she eventually won me over; Kane is just straight up sinfully delicious
--- The crimes and mystery definitely grabbed my attention and made me want to read more

What I didn't like as much:
--- At some times, it was a lot to keep up with (who is who/from LA or NY/past or present or both), so it took me a little while to get some clarity
--- Not very much in the way of steamy goodness, but what was there was yummy

Overall, my interest in the story, the mystery, and the characters is definitely high enough that I will continue on with the series to see what happens next!

Plot --- 3.5/5
Main Characters --- 4/5
Supporting Cast --- 3.5/5
Steam Level* --- 2.5/5
Violence --- not overly graphic but crime scenes and attack flashbacks
Language --- Lilah's fave word is the f-bomb
POV --- 1st (Lilah's)

*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I have found a new favorite author! I love Lilah Love, her toughness, her vulnerabilities, her drive, and most of all the love of those who care for her! What a great read! The book starts off with a murder or two and then three seemingly all connected that have something to do with FBI agent Love and her past. Growing up in a law enforcement family with her dad the Police Chief, now her brother the police chief and a past love Kane who as she may try cannot get out of her head - this book was wonderful! I can't wait to read more from this author!

This book can be summed up into two words: Dry and Boring. The writing was not that interesting and keep finding my mind wandering away. The plot and the idea behind could have been amazing. It had all the elements that I would have loved. But the writing was so boring.

In this book, Lisa Renee Jones introduces Lilah Love, an FBI profiler with a complication past and a dangerous present. She hunts murderers, trying to get into their minds and save their next victim. Lilah struggles with her family's money, her mother's death, a near death attack from long ago, and her attraction to the wealthy son of a drug king. Living in California has help Lilah keep these struggles at bay. When a new case sends her back to her hometown in New York, the levee breaks, and all of these issues make her job even harder. Will she find the serial killer? Will she give in to her strong attraction to Kane Mendez? Will she learn about her father's troubling political connections? The chase is on, and the book keeps you guess until the end. You will want to know what happens next for Special Agent Love.

First time I've heard or read this author but definitely won't be my last! This was really enjoyable!! Definitely a author I'm going to be looking for on kindle in the future

This was my first book read by this author and I am officially hooked! I was completely sucked in right off the bat. It will leave you second guessing until the last word and then you'll one-click the next was faster than you thought possible. It was intriguing and twisty-turny. If you love thrillers and mysteries, read this book!

. I was drawn in from the first page and couldn't put it down. I finished in one sitting!
This story is more of an romantic suspense with an awesome female lead.
Every page pulls you in deeper. and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
This is the perfect murder suspense for a quick read.

I love a good suspenseful book and if you add a romance side story within the pages, I’m always up for it. Lilah is an interesting and amazing heroine that you want to be her friend in good and bad moments. Kane is the dark knight that will do everything to protect his family but his heart was always hers. Their story is a very bumpy ride but so worth it.
A must read series.

Murder notes by Lisa Renee Jones.
Lilac Love #1.
As an FBI profiler, it’s Lilah Love’s job to think like a killer. And she is very good at her job. When a series of murders surface—the victims all stripped naked and shot in the head—Lilah’s instincts tell her it’s the work of an assassin, not a serial killer. But when the case takes her back to her hometown in the Hamptons and a mysterious but unmistakable connection to her own life, all her assumptions are shaken to the core.
A very good read. Great story and some good characters. Had no idea who the killer or who Junior was. Looking forward to the next book. 4*.

Bestselling author, Lisa Renee Jones, introduces a new series with protagonist Lilah Love, who is an FBI profiler. Both Murder Notes and Murder Girl are part of what is dubbed as a Murder Duet. Love, is working FBI on the west coast, but a murder investigation takes her back to her hometown in the Hamptons where her father is mayor and brother is chief of police. Lilah chases clues and is assisted by her ex-boyfriend and supposed mob boss, Kane Mendez, who is still in love with Lilah and protects her. Readers will find that the ending of the first of these novels ends in a cliffhanger, and it is necessary to read them together to get the full story.

Most thriller aficionados read series with characters that they like and can relate to, this series is a bit different. While Lilah Love is attractive and grew up privileged and entitled, she has a filthy mouth and does not exhibit even a trace of class. Her favorite word is F**k, and it is used dozens of times whenever Lilah is mentioned. Partly because of this, and because of Lilah’s lack of morals, it is certainly not endearing. Nor is it cute. It does not contribute to making this new series fun or enjoyable. Actually, Lilah as a protagonist, is a terrible character, and anyone with a lick of honor won’t like her.

While the story is well-written, it is difficult to get into a book where the main character is unlikeable. The book is actually a romantic thriller, and the emphasis in both books is on the relationship between Lilah and Kane with not much emphasis on the actually storyline and the actual crimes being committed.

Readers looking for a new series may want to skip this one, unless they like to read profanity rather than meaningful words.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Lilah Love is a bad@$$ FBI agent that says f*ck a lot. And she's been brought home to the Hamptons to profile a murder connected to two others in LA. But when she gets home, she's reminded why she left, and why she can't leave back to LA just yet. Fun, fast paced, a bit snarky, exciting and engaging. With a little steam thrown in for good measure.

One quick note for any readers of this book - this is a series, and each book picks up the previous plot and carries it forward - not necessarily to a conclusion, but to the next book. If you start this book, be prepared to dive into the series.