Willow Rose definitely knows how to keep her readers on their toes! I could not turn the pages fast enough!

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Another fast paced book by Willow Rose. In this one we see the beginning of Eva Rae. While it was a good story line I didn't love the book. I feel like too much was happening and things were a bit rushed.

This book is the prequel for the Eva Rae Thomas mystery series. We follow Eva as an FBI profiler who takes on an old case where a man may have been falsely accused and wrongly convicted. The investigation into the six year old murder has Eva on the trail of a possible killer on the loose. There are some unresolved threads to the story which are addressed in the first official book of the series. Otherwise, the pacing and writing was good and the characters engaging.

So We Lie is a gripping thriller that plays out fraught with tension and high stakes. The things we can’t live with are the lies we weave… what happens if you are forced to see the truth? Spell binding highly recommend it!

I had already read a few books by Ms. Rose (Emma Frost series) and decided to give this series a try. So We Lie is fast-paced and keeps the reader guessing till the end, it is short, and gives a taste of what the following books will bring. Entertaining!

So We Lie is the prequel to the Eva Rae Thomas series, taking the readers back to the beginning of Eva's career as a FBI profiler but comes way later in the order of the actual series which so far consists of ten books. The thing is I already have a few books from the series but I decided to start off with this prequel. On the whole, the book was definitely very fast paced but I felt that after all the non-stop chase the mystery, which deals with a six year old murder cold case and child trafficking, still seemed unresolved. However, it is hinted that this book is connected with the events of book 1 in the series so I guess I will read that next to see how the plot from both books come together and the whole thing resolved.

I received an e-Arc of the book from the publisher Buoy Media LLC and the author Willow Rose via NetGalley.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨💫

Freshly graduated at the top of her profiling class, FBI agent Eva Rae Thomas dives head-long into her first assignment – a six-year-old murder case that was studied in class that, even then, she felt it needed to be re-opened. Even though the victim’s husband confessed that he did it, something doesn’t make sense to Eva Rae. As she digs deeper, key witnesses to the crime are murdered – convincing her that the correct person was not convicted, but she also finds herself and her loved ones in danger.

This is great story from Willow Rose – lots of twists and turns, and surprises you don’t see coming. I haven't read any of the stories in this series, but I am pleased with this prequel. I can't wait to read more.

I've been reading Willow's Emma Frost series and I love it so I had to check out this series. I usually like to read a series in order but since it was a prequel I decided to jump in and I'm glad I did! I loved the telling of the story mixing the present with the past seamlessly. A quick, enjoyable twisty mystery that will keep you guessing. I can't wait to delve into the rest of this series!

The book is the prequel to the Eva Rae Thomas series. A mother of two crashes her car into a tree at 4am and it seems fairly straight forward but evidence found in the car soon raises doubt and questions. In short order her husband is arrested and convicted of her murder. Six years later, novice FBI profiler Eve Rae Thomas com across some information that blows the case wide open and she has to convince others to reopen the case and find the real murderer. The story was a bit convoluted and hard to follow in parts, flipping back and forth in time, but overall Eva's determined search for the truth shows us glimpses of the agent she will become. A great story that will have me checking out other books in the series. Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great start to the Eva Rae Thomas series. I have read several of the books and really enjoy them. Eva Rae is a great character...and it was good to see how her history started with the police. Great series for those who like a real life, hard working, strong female character. I like the tie in between her family life and her police work. Love the series!

Eva Rae, a FBI agent has opened a six years old murder case for further investigation, the murder victim Arlene was a married woman and eventually her husband Frank was convicted of her murder. but when Eva begins to delve deeper into old evidences, suddenly one of the main witnesses ends up murdered in a brutal way. so she suspects that Frank may have been wrongly accused.
So I haven't read the previous nine books but this was a really good experience. the author gave briefly history of her between pages so I did fell comfortable reading the tenth book of a series and wasn't confused. the story line was great and though some of the scenes could be better, the whole book was a very delightful experience for me.
This is my honest opinion.
I hope you enjoy reading it. and thanks to NetGallery for providing me a copy of this great book.
this review will be published on Goodreads and NetGallery.

This was a good addition to this series. Not necessarily needed but it still was a good quick and easy read. Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for this arc

This is a prequel coming far into an established series. It hops and skips back and forth, which is not my favorite method of storytelling. What is really off-putting, though, is having characters that are too human. I want the books I read to have someone cheer-worthy, someone who has admirable qualities. Not in a “paragon of virtues” way, but at least have something about the character that I like. This book? Not so much. The newly minted profiler, our main character, is not a good mother, nor is she a good wife. I spent the entire book waiting for her to leave her husband or have an affair. Instead, she lied to him and treated him poorly. Hubby is a big
baby, so I didn’t feel sorry for him. His silent treatments were ridiculous. This is a couple who decides <SPOILERS> to bring a new child in the world.. oh yes, because this marriage is HEALTHY (eye roll).

Then there is the mystery. If you like a mystery full of contrivance, this is for you. I reached the denouement, and I literally paused and wondered if I had fallen asleep and missed a part of the book. I went back a few pages, reread…still the same.

What is my recommendation? Apparently there is a following for this series since this is book 8 or 10, or something like that. I’ve read worse, and not every book will appeal to every reader. This book did not push my buttons. I think it has room for improvement. I am rating this a 3.

This was given to me by NetGalley to review, so for that I am grateful. Unfortunately, I realized WELL into the book that it is like the 8th book in this series. Thankfullly though, it is also a kind of prequel - so even though it is book 8- it takes the reader BACK to the beginning. I have a HUGE issue starting books in the middle of a series.....so unfortunately for me, that was not a good thing. So, there is that.

This is a "new to me" author. The series apparently is about a woman who is an FBI profiler who also is a mother and a wife. She seems to have pretty good instincts when it comes to cases, yet I have to admit, she is NOT a very likeable MC.

I'm not sure what the deal is lately, but I have come across several books lately where the MC is not even remotely likeable. Why do authors do that? Maybe it's just me but I have found that I WANT to be able to root for someone. I WANT to like SOMEONE in a story. Maybe it's just me. Thankfully, she is not TOO bad. Just a bit self centered.

The problem that I had with her was not the fact that she was a working mom and felt justified with the fact that she deserved a career. I don't think there is a working mom among us that hasn't had to deal with the guilt of being a working mom. We ALL deserve to be able to feel satisfaction not only in the home but in a career outside if that is something that we want. What I started feeling uncomfortable with was that her children tended to be "after thoughts". She literally forgot about them often. She began to lie to her husband about her where abouts and she completely dismissed his feelings about her level of contribution to the family. She thought he was just being a whiny baby and if the tables were turned, I would never want my feelings discounted like that.

But, that's neither here nor there. The case itself was really odd. When all was said and done, if you were to map it out, it doesn't really make sense. Without going into spoilers, I can't say more, but it has MANY, MANY plot holes.

So, an interesting new series, but I think I'm going to stop at this one.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

Although #10 in this series, So We Lie is a prequel set in D.C. right after Eva Rae Thomas has obtained her FBI profiler credentials. During her training, they studied a case that has been bothering her since: a man who initially claimed he was innocent of killing his wife ultimately pleaded guilty and is 6 years into his sentence, but Eva Rae doesn't think he fits the profile for the perpetrator. She starts to gather new evidence on her own time and convinces her boss to reopen the case, while juggling motherhood and marriage. I enjoyed the book, but I wasn't really convinced of the perpetrator's motives in the end --it felt contrived, like the main motive was for the author to be able to include a really unexpected plot twist.

The plot could have been good but there is no way to save any semblance of reality. The heroine is just so unprofessional, idiotic and ridiculous. We are to believe she get shot, lots of blood, drags herself to the car and chases the guy who shot her all while holding her gun in one had, hitting a guardrail, keeps going until she crashed into his truck and only then passed out
She lied to her husband and is often arguing for no reason yet he stays with her. Realky?
Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc

I love Willow Rose’s writing style, this book is fast paced and I couldn’t put it down.
Rose tells an awesome story with several storylines at the same time. Both past and present. The book kept me guessing right up until the end. I would definitely recommend this book.

This novel is the tenth in the series but takes us back to the beginning of Eva Rae’s FBI career as a profiler and her first case. We learn more about her back story and as with all the others it is fast paced and action packed.

The plot of the book was such a great page turner. The plot of the book was very well written. I truly cannot wait to read another wonderful book from this truly great author. This was a truly great book.

I am a huge fan of Willow Rose and the Eva Rae Thomas Mystery series so for me I spent a lot of the time yelling at Eva Rae and saying, “Nooooooo!” (laugh)

So We Lie is a prequel to the series so it can definitely be read as a standalone and you will not spend the entire book yelling at a character who can’t hear you. (chuckle)

I love these mysteries because Rose admits to taking stories right from the headlines and putting her own twist on them. The sad part is that she is not too far off in how this story plays out. The mystery is good. I did not see the twist coming. Nor did I see the killer which I always like - I want to be as surprised as Eva Rae is.

Rose lays the groundwork for what will come for Eva Rae and her family. Hence my repeated yelling at her. I was intrigued by a character that Rose says in her notes we will see again. Things that make you go hmmmm.

I am trying to think now looking back at the books whether I remember a twist that comes later that has long-lasting effects showing up in later books or whether this is an additional twist that Rose will have to add to later books. Readers want to know…or really just me. (smile)

I loved the mystery. The family dynamic is always a part of Eva Rae’s story, and it is interesting to see the kids when they are young. I just loved everything about this book. Then again, I admit to being a huge fan of Willow Rose and Eva Rae’s so I could be a little bit prejudiced - just saying.

I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.