Member Reviews

Eva Rae is a great heroine, feidty, troubled, yes damn good at her job, despite her families doubts. I willbe looking out for more!

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Boring. Sorry I just couldn’t get into it. Event bout I wanted to like it
Now j keep getting an error when trying to submit this which makes me like this book even less.

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Don’t Lie To Me by Willow Rose is a gripping psychological thriller that follows FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas as she investigates the unsettling murder of a beloved local teen, Sophie Williams. When another child goes missing, Eva Rae is pulled back into a case that threatens both her professional and personal life. Rose masterfully builds tension with each chapter, balancing suspense with emotional stakes. The twists keep readers on edge, while the evolving relationship between Eva Rae and her ex, Matt Miller, adds a compelling layer to the narrative. With its dark secrets and fast-paced plot, this book will keep fans of crime thrillers hooked until the very end.

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I loved this book it was such a great read. Things the first from this author and I’ll be reading more in future.

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Kidnapped and murdered children, divorce as the worst thing that can happen to children, abuse and child neglect with very disjointed writing, and that's just the first half of the book. Fortunately, after all the angst and multiple story lines, it all starts to come together and the last half is like what a mystery/suspense plot should be.

Eva Rae Thomas has quit the FBI and moved her three kids back home to Coca Beach, Florida. Eva now has total charge of her kids and is having trouble keeping up with their active lives. That was her househusband's responsibility before he opted out of it all. When she finds the body of a local 12 year old surfing phenom, Eva is right back in solve it mode, even if she has no authority whatsoever. And, she promised her kids she would not get involved in any police work and just be a mom for the first time in their lives. Unfortunately, that is a promise she is unable to keep as more children turn up missing.

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When twelve-year-old Sophie Williams went on a Girl Scout summer camp, she never returned home. Three months later, her body is found inside her sleeping bag in the most frequented area of Cocoa Beach, and the town is outraged. The girl isn't just any child. She's the town's most beloved surf idol, and it was believed that she could be the next Kelly Slater.

As another child, the son of a well-known senator is kidnapped, and the parents receive a disturbing video, FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas — who has just returned to her hometown, divorced and out of a job — plunges into the investigation, breaking her promise to her children not to do police work again. Local law enforcement, with her old flame Matt Miller in charge, are the ones who ask for her help in a case so unsettling that only she can solve it. But the deeper they dig, the deadlier it becomes for Matt and Eva Rae. Soon, everyone she holds dear is in grave danger as this case hits a little too close to home.

This had so much promise. It started out well, but too many characters and a mediocre execution of the plot made this just "okay" for me. It was an enjoyable read, but it didn't make much of an impact on me. Overall, 3.5⭐ for me, but if you enjoy this genre, you might like it better. 🙂

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

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Amazing book. My first by this author. It has lots twists and turns, and is very fast paced. I would love to read more by this author. I will be recommending this book to everyone who loves a good thriller.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

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Don’t Lie to Me by Willow Rose offers an intriguing premise with plenty of twists. The mystery of Sophie Williams’ tragic death and the kidnapping of a senator’s son sets the stage for a suspenseful investigation, and FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas is a compelling lead. Her personal struggles and complicated past add depth to the story, but at times, the pacing felt uneven, and some plot points stretched believability.

The small-town setting and the connections between the characters were interesting, though I found the dialogue a bit stilted and the relationships underdeveloped. As the first book in the Eva Rae Thomas Mystery Series, it does a good job setting up her character and hinting at future conflicts, but I would have liked more focus on the mystery itself without so many subplots competing for attention.

That said, fans of fast-paced thrillers with strong female leads might still enjoy this one. I’m curious to see how the series develops.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!

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The book is not bad but it is not my cup of tea !
The excitement is missing , at least for me.
I expected a bit more thrill in writing but the narration enthusiasm has been lost !

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This was published years ago but a copy was available on NetGalley, so why not!?! This is the first book in the Eva Rae Thomas mystery series.

Eva Rae is a former FBI Profiler who turned in her badge and moved her kids back to her hometown after her marriage fell apart. Upon arriving in her hometown, she quickly learns that there is a child kidnapper/murderer on the loose. The goings on bring up PTSD/recurrent memories of something that happened to Eva as a child, so she is immediately hooked into the investigation.

I liked the quick chapters and engaging pace. This story has a similar style as Freida McFadden books (minus the goofy humor). I kept thinking I knew who the killer was but, in true mystery fashion, I did not expect the twist!

I believe a lot (or maybe all) of the series is on Kindle Unlimited so I’ll definitely be reaching for more of these when I want a quick mystery!

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review!

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Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really don’t like giving a 3* review but I honestly couldn’t stretch it to a 4! It starts off reasonably well and I was a bit intrigued but it very quickly became clear this is not written well. There is absolutely no depth to the characters, no believable plot, therefore twists are just clumsy. There are so many individuals and families involved that it’s hard to follow and retain who is who. I finished it because it was a review read, it was a very disappointing who did it and aftermath to that. Sorry, but wouldn’t recommend.

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Willow Rose's Don't Lie to Me is a gripping psychological thriller that explores the complexities of trust, deception, and the hidden truths that can shatter lives. The story follows a protagonist who finds herself entangled in a web of lies as she seeks to uncover the truth behind a mysterious disappearance in her community.

Rose's writing is taut and suspenseful, skillfully building tension with each chapter. The characters are richly developed, each harboring secrets that keep readers guessing. As the plot unfolds, the protagonist’s journey becomes increasingly fraught, making it difficult to discern friend from foe.

The pacing is expertly handled, with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Themes of betrayal and the consequences of dishonesty resonate throughout, prompting readers to reflect on the nature of truth in their own lives.

Overall, Don't Lie to Me is a captivating read that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers. It’s a compelling exploration of the lengths people will go to protect their secrets and the devastating effects of lies.

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Don’t Lie to Me by Willow Rose is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that pulls you in from the very first page. The story follows FBI profiler Eva Rae Thomas as she investigates a chilling case of a missing child in a small Florida town. The plot is full of twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat, with moments of suspense that build up the tension perfectly.

What I really enjoyed about this book is how well Eva Rae’s character is developed. She’s strong, determined, and her personal struggles make her relatable. The mystery itself is well-plotted, though at times it felt like there were a few too many twists that could have been simplified. However, the pacing is excellent, and it’s the kind of book that you’ll want to finish in one sitting.

If you love crime thrillers with strong female leads and an engaging plot, Don’t Lie to Me is definitely worth picking up.

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I did not really like this book. It felt like there was a lot of unnecessary dialogue and plotlines that don't help this book. It took a bit of time to get through this book. I also think that this qualifies as a thriller, there was no suspense, it was pretty lax and dull to me. I was not a fan

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

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Unfortunately, this author is not for me.
Not the first time I picked a book by this author, and not the first time it didn't work for me.
Maybe it's the topics Rose discusses, maybe it's her writing style, maybe it's her characters?
It just doesn't work for me.
And it's fine. I'm sure other readers will like it.

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I really enjoyed this book. This was the first book that I have read my Willow Rose but it will not be the last! This book had me on the edge of my seat, always wondering what was going to happen next.

Willow Rose has a way with her writing that makes you think you are right there in the book and like you have known the characters for your whole life. She keeps you intrigued throughout the whole book with all of her twists and turns.

Don't Lie To Me is the first story in the series that has Eva Rose as the main character. This story brings us into the realm of child abuse and the repercussions stemming from that. There are a few subplots in this book, that I think will be connected in the following books in the series.

This is for sure a book that you won't be able to put down. I promise you, you won't be able to guess the ending (which are the best kinds of books). you will be turning pages throughout the night and putting off all other responsibilities just to be able to finish and find out what happens at the end.

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Who are these people? Why should I care? Please spare me from inane dialogues to fil the space. The aim should be to grab readers’ attention from the start.

I think this book is only readable if you are already a fan.

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I really enjoyed the first book in the Eva Rae Thomas series! I loved the characters, the suspense and the twist that I never would have guessed. I am now looking forward to reading the next instalment and beyond! 5 stars.

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Eva Rae Thomas has moved back to her hometown with her three children. She has left the FBI to focus on the kids, seeing as her husband decided to leave her. But even her good intentions of staying away from cases don’t help when she is caught up in a murder straight away.

Sophie Williams, a rising surfing star, has gone missing from a scout camp. When her body is discovered, it leads to a string of abducted and murdered children that leaves the police confounded. Eva is asked for assistance and when videos surface of the killer blaming divorce and the consequences on children for the reason behind the abductions, Eva knows time is of the essence. But with memories of her abducted sister coming to mind, Eva knows this one will feel close to home. She just doesn’t realise how much...

I’ve read a number of books by this author but each series I start I feel disappointed. There are always too many ideas and things thrown into the plot and some lead nowhere while others are meant to hint at the ending but majority never do. There are just too many “huh?” moments in this to allow you to read the book and escape into it.

So firstly you have a killer who is doing this to show their deep hatred of divorce and the consequences it has on the children. The killer is killing innocent children to prove this? Um, why? Then you have an ex-FBI agent who has no jurisdiction but constantly goes into crime scenes, gets involved, and the police are so befuddled that she has to join them? But does not actually use her profiling skills. She has promised to be more of a mother now that she has all this time with her children but cannot keep up with groceries, laundry, or school events because she is too busy helping her old flame in the police and even leaves her hyperactive child in the car while she checks out a crime scene?

I found the writing stilted to read and the chapters that were in the child’s POV were written in an adult voice. Then there were so many kids either left alone overnight or not contacted in months and the number of times people said Sophie would be the next Kelly Slater was crazy. There are other surfers from Cocoa Beach! And the mother turning a blind eye to their child being molested so that they could be coached by the best? I don’t think so! And the abuse of one of Eva’s friends? What did that have to do with the whole story? A subplot that didn’t add anything.

Then when the killer is outed (which was a very unrealistic time grudge to hold) the families carry on as though “Oh well, these things happen” when for it not to be noticed was highly suspect.

It started out with a hook but landed up going in tangents and not a series I would continue as I didn’t connect with any of the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review the book.

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Wow!! This was a great thriller. You'll never guess who the killer is!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

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