This book is deeply dark and immensely compelling. It explores an intensely menacing side of human nature and is disturbing in so many ways. I wasn't taken with the narrative and found it difficult to get into. It is thrilling in places and very tense.

This is a dark, and unhinged plot (my favorite). We follow Lydia, a forensic pathologist, as she gets assigned the case of a murdered couple found in a secluded camping area. A potential serial killer is on the loose and they want to send a message. Lydia hears the message loud and clear and as the murders grow, so do her dark inner thoughts. Thoughts she has kept locked up since she was a child 💭 Also, while investigating the case she meets a fellow tortured soul and book lover named Adam. They talk about their love for The Silence of the Lambs and fall in love in 23.7 seconds.

TW for rape, child death, and graphic violence to name a few. Definitely lived up to a horrific read! This gave me Dexter vibes. Not as well done, but I appreciated what Rose was trying to do and I know she will continue to grow as an author. I was hooked to some parts of the novel and I look forward to her next novels. I wasn’t a fan of the insta love + could not get my head around the actions or thoughts of Lydia. I think the plot would move so fast it was hard to rationalize how she could feel such polarizing feelings within the span of one or two pages. I think it’s best going into this knowing these characters make morally gray characters look like Mr. Rogers and friends.

I don't really read horror but this was really creepy and gripping! I'm glad I read it!

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

First, thank you to NetGalley, Stephanie Rose, and Mad Axe Media for the ARC!

Hiding Lies is an upcoming romantic?/horror releasing this October that follows the lives of 2 troubled adults trying to cope with the abuse they suffered as children.

Lydia funnels all her energy into her obscure job as a forensic photographer. An occupation the author claims makes Lydia a social outcast and loner. I personally feel like that would be quite interesting.. I mean, I wouldn’t want to do it but to talk to someone about it.. might be fascinating.

Adam channels all his anger into killing. He’s Portlands new and elusive serial killer with a type. Pretty much if he catches random strangers in lies (big lies) he singles them and their loved ones out and murders all of them.

I was not expecting this book to be this dark. The first page has a whole list of every trigger warning but i chose to continue anyway.

Lydia’s presence in the police investigation is very heavy and I feel like we got no resolution there, her relationship with Frank (professional) just dropped out of the book after she figured Adam out. Actually- Franks back story was never resolved..

I feel like if the story didn’t end where it did, and we got more I would have liked this better.
I was hoping for more of a mystery book over knowing just about every secret right off the bat.

Just not the one for me, but I could see someone else loving this!

The idea of this story is what gripped me, a forensic photographer and a serial killer?? Yes please but I feel the story fell flat and there were times I had to read the sentence a few times to actually understand what was being said. I feel the book will benefit more with someone going over it a few more times and correcting some punctuation errors.

Adam’s chapters were a lot easier and better written in my opinion, I believe because he was the killer and a lot more detail was required for it to make sense with how he was murdering the victims but I would’ve liked maybe a chapter in the past which explained both their backstories a little bit more, I know it explained about the foster homes for Lydia and uncle/auntie for Adam but I would’ve liked a little bit more of that.

I did find it a tad unrealistic (shock I know it’s a story😂) with her still photographing the crime scene with it being someone she knew and with the way she broke down before. If it was in real life, I think they would’ve removed her from the case.

I do feel like Adam and Lydia literally fell in love from the get go, which really empathised their characteristics and sorta being psychopaths. It was love at first sight with them and it’s like they saw themselves within one another which personally I did like in this case. I do sorta wish there was more of a twist with the book for example, when she went away for a week and ghosted Adam, I had a side thought that maybe she’d gone away, confessed everything to frank and was working undercover and the ending would’ve been him being caught but I did like the aspect of them becoming a team. I would like to see them in the future and see if Lydia sabotages crime scenes with her photos knowing full well she and Adam killed together.

With a bit of work, I believe this book could be a 5 star as the idea was amazing and some scenes were 10/10.

I haven’t posted a review of this book anywhere else as it isn’t due out yet and me rating it 3 stars. I don’t want to bring down the rating etc.

This was a gripping read, I thought the characters were intriguing and I'm going to keep an eye out for more from this author.

This was a great read! Full of unexpected twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put this one down. Highly recommend!

I have a hard time with alternating POV stories, but this one worked really well.

I initially thought this was going to be a generic thriller but was much more psychological horror, with a sprinkle of slasher. Some scenes were particularly gruesome. Oh, and it’s also a romance but, creepily, it works.

While it was easy to see where the story was going, I stilled enjoyed the ride.

I think many people who are fans of true crime will love it for the psychological aspect, and the extreme horror freaks (me) will love it for the blood.

Hiding Lies is a brilliant, beautifully crafted psychological thriller read, that you will be incapable of putting down. Told from the POV of two very dark and haunted minds, this book captured my attention from the very first line to the very last.

The author gives readers a detailed look into the background of our MCs, allowing readers to have a better understanding of the complexity of their minds and lives, along with the inner mental and emotional turmoil they face each day, being haunted by their past.
This book was fast paced and never held a dull moment. I really liked how the author always made sure that there was something happening on these pages. I am firm believer that books under 300 pages, should have suspense all throughout- this book delivered in that regard.

Another thing I really appreciated was how the author didn't make things overly gruesome or gory. As a reader I was able to read and digest everything without feeling overwhelmed. There was no reliance on shock value to carry the story and really made it even more enjoyable for me.
I really liked both these MCs in this book and thoroughly enjoyed both their POVs; even the romance was a welcome surprise and didn't distract from the plot.
Overall, this was a really enthralling read and I would probably re-read again in the future.

4.75 rounded up for Goodreads!

Thank you to Netgalley, Mad Axe Media and Stephanie Rose for my eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: October 29th, 2024.

This book had me addicted from the start! It was so intense that I could not wait to see the twist. Authot knows how to deliver the breath taking, draw dropping twist that we all know and love and never expect the ending. I believe this book is her best one yet but I say that everytime I read one of her books. Thank you for allowing me to read your book in advance.

Lydia, a forensic photographer, is living life through her photographs. Until she is called to come to the most gruesome case of her career and then meets someone worth while, Adam. As the case starts to unfold, her personal life and work become intertwined. Lydia must decide if she will follow her heart or her morales.

Hiding lies is a book in its own league. It gave me the creepy vibes that I wanted from it. Really enjoyed the writing style and story, thought just slightly predictable. I’d recommend this to anyone who likes a dark crime mystery!

TW: Contains detailed descriptions of torture, murder, sexual assault, domestic abuse, child abuse, child death, and mentions of animal abuse.
Stephanie Rose's chilling new thriller, "Hiding Lies", offers a gripping narrative that will keep you on the edge of your seat. As mentioned by other reviewers, it blends the suspense of Caroline Kepnes' "You" with the intensity of an episode of "Criminal Minds."
Dual perspectives provide depth to the characters of Lydia, a complex forensic photographer, and Adam, a terrifying yet strangely charismatic serial killer.
While it was a short read, the author did a good job of pacing the story and allowing the characters to develop naturally.
I really enjoyed this book and eagerly anticipate future works from this talented author.
This review is voluntary and my own personal opinion.
Thank you, NetGalley, Stephanie Rose, and Mad Axe Media for the eARC.

Ok so I really really enjoyed this. There is a serial killer/love story-esque feel to it. The writing was very good and descriptive. If you are squeamish I would definitely refrain from this one, as there are several moments in the book that could be considered disturbing to some readers. I loved the forensic aspect of the book through Lydia, as well as the POV of the killer through Adam. I loved this book, it’s very fast paced and easy to dive into! Overall, a solid 4.5 for me! Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐬𝐞
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 | 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫
𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫!!
𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟑 ⭐️

An addictive, fast paced, serial killer ride. This isn’t for the squeamish as some scenes are pretty gruesome.

Told in two different POV, by Lydia, A forensic photographer with a love of true crime and a history of trauma.
Adam, a history of trauma also, and becomes very very dark.

What I enjoyed;
•The police investigation
•Lydia, I thought her character was great & I loved the fact there may be an influence from Beetlejuice with the main character being called Lydia and a photographer!
•The crime scenes

What I wanted more of:
•Frank!!! I really liked his character
•The ending, I’m not sure I’m entirely convinced with this ending… it’s open for a sequel surely?

Overall a great read, but a few things were missing for me. The book should have been longer in my eyes.

Thanks so much to @netgalley & mad axe media for this eArc.

Remember, releases 29th October so perfect for Halloween!

#bookstagram #bookstagramuk #bookstagrammer #booktok #hidinglies #booksbooksbooks #bookworm #bookworm #booklover #bibliophile #bookishcontent #bookishpost #bookphotography #books #netgalley #netgalleyuk #netgalleyreads #netgalleyreviewer

The book is a dual narrators psychological thriller horror. The author is a debut author and I was immediately charmed by her writing style. I loved the serial killer’s point of view and the fact that she did a lot of research on actual serial killers in order to create the character of Adam. The pages turned, the darkness deepened, and I literally had to hold my breath. Highly recommend this book for your book club and thrillers/horror fans!

My first pre release review, and I loved this book!
The first 30~ pages nearly had me put it down, but it's worth pushing through for the rest of the book, it was so entertaining and I really enjoyed it.
It's a bit slow going at first, then the rest of the book is fairly fast paced and exciting, the plot is well written and almost funny, and I liked the characters, they felt like actual people.

I will be recommending this book, it had me guessing what would happen next right up to the end.

Lydia Walker is a forensic photographer with a traumatic past. While Lydia is working on a homicide case she crosses paths with Adam, a kindred spirit of sorts, also scarred by life. As the case progresses, Lydia finds herself personally connected to it and realizes she has a choice to make regarding her morality.
The story is well written, fast read. I finished it in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed the story being told through the alternating view points of Lydia and Adam, almost in a good VS evi| Way: But Lydia isn't that good, is she? F did find some scenes and plot points to be a bit rushed and under developed. And let's not forget that while this is a twisty and dark story, there is a dash of romance sprinkled in. I look forward to the growth to come from future novels by Stephanie Rose.

This was a real page-turner. Very compelling thought and very dark in a good way. This kept me guessing and very engaged. Great read.

I really loved the premise of this book. I felt the story was original and fast-paced. The execution just felt very YA to me. The writing seemed a bit juvenile and it made me remember I'm reading a book. What I mean is, with my 5-star reads, I am completely enveloped and get lost in the book... the dialogue in this one made me cringe and felt really cheesy at times.

****Thank you to NetGalley and Stephanie Rose for a free ebook copy in exchange for my honest opinion****

Is killing always wrong? I was pulled in by the main premise of this short, dark thriller/romance.
I'm giving the story 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4). The writing was good and the characters were complex.
Lydia is a forensic photographer with a troubled past. She is brought into a case, and quickly realizes that it is the work of a budding serial killer.
I enjoy Lydia's perspective. I have empathy for her trauma and I love her drive. I also love the fact that she is a horror and true crime addict. Her relationship with detective Frank is very sweet, and I wanted more of that to be showcased.
Adam is the budding serial killer. His backstory was a little confusing to me; and I had trouble understanding his pain and motivation for killing. I guess it just wasn't enough for me to have sympathy for him and his actions (well, most of his actions).
Why did this not get a higher rating from me? I have some issues with the way the story develops. It doesn't completely work for me. I hesitate to say more, because I don't want to give anything away. However, I would say that this deserves to be read and decided on for yourself.
I look forward to reading more from Stephanie Rose.