Thank you NetGalley for a copy of Decoding the Truth by Julie Miller. This was a pretty good listen. Very interesting story line. It started off slow but got better as it moved on.

Really liked elements of the story.

I love that we got a lead that was not ""perfect" and was dealing with some serious PTSD, but on the other hand I feel like too much time was spent on her insecurities and being "different." It would have been nice to see her owning it with less need for reassurance which pretty much took over a large portion of the book.

"While helping an ex cop look for his son things clearly get someone stirred up and now it is a race to find the who and the what before it is too late.

It was never explicitly said but it was hinted that there was more than just the PTSD and her childhood that shaped the way she viewed the world. the idea that a "hot" man (and an older one at that) just made everything better without a real buildup to their relationship was a let down.

The story was fine but the narration did not connect with me. I found it very monotone and there was no inflection or "color" painted even during the intimate scenes or emotional beats. I also did not feel the tension building toward the revelation/confrontation.

I may have enjoyed this better as read rather than a listen. I do love this line however and look forward to more titles.

Thanks to the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to listen and NetGalley for connecting us!

Decoding the Truth by Julie Miller is a fast-paced, thrilling romantic suspense novel that blends heart-pounding action with an unexpected romance. Chelsea O’Brien, a dedicated crime lab technician for the Kansas City Police Department, finds herself in grave danger when a vengeful hacker sets his sights on her. The tension escalates quickly, and it’s up to Robert "Buck" Buckner, a brooding ex-cop with personal baggage, to protect her.

The dynamic between Chelsea and Buck is one of the highlights of the book. Chelsea’s warmth and determination contrast perfectly with Buck’s reserved, tough exterior, creating a compelling tension both on and off the page. Their unlikely partnership adds layers of complexity to the story, as they not only have to track down a dangerous criminal but also navigate the sparks flying between them.

Julie Miller skillfully weaves suspense and romance together, delivering a narrative that is both gripping and emotionally charged. The plot moves quickly, with plenty of twists and turns, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. The chemistry between the leads, coupled with the high stakes, makes for an intense and satisfying read.

Decoding the Truth is a perfect pick for fans of romantic suspense, with a balance of action, mystery, and romance that will keep you hooked until the very end. If you enjoy thrilling, emotionally charged mysteries with strong character development, this is a must-read.

Chelsea O'Brien is a crime lab tech for the Kansas City crime lab. She is excellent at her job and scary awesome with a computer. So awesome she has gotten the attention of a hacker. Not just any hacker, one that is smart, skilled and viscous. His skills challenge and rival hers and it's a challenging game until it turns serious, really serious -dangerously, deadly serious.

Enter Buck, an ex-cop who wants to help keep her safe. Is that all he wants or is there more? The chemistry seems to be a living thing.

As they get closer to finding the hacker the danger escalates and puts Chelsea is eminent danger. Can they find the hacker before someone gets hurt? Are the feelings and protective actions Buck exhibits lifesaving only or is there more?

This tech savvy book is a suspenseful read where the reader can easily follow along. The ups and downs as clues are uncovered are downright chilling.

Live the adventure with Chelsea and Buck. Can they uncover the hacker, figure out their feelings and survive this deadly chase?

I did not know that this was the second book in a series and that there are 5 books in the series. I had to go back and find the first book and listen to that so that I could understand the second book. I know it says that they can be stand alone books, but it kept referencing the first book so I felt like I was missing something. This audiobook was given to me from NetGalley and I appreciate the opportunity to listen to a new author. I enjoyed learning about the story and felt like it was an episode of CSI, which I loved. I did honestly enjoy the first book of the series a little more than the first book but both were like reading a CSI episode.

This is book two of a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone.

I really enjoyed the prospective of the fmc - she is a computer tech for the crime lab in Kansas City MO. We got to hear her talk about hacking and going back and forth with someone online.

This has an age gap romance with a former KCPD officer turned private investigator.

You can feel the tension, the we shouldn’t be together vibes as they hunt to solve two cases in one.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC audio in exchange for my honest feedback.

This story is the second of the series, but if like me, you haven’t listened/read book 1, rest assure that this one is a standalone .
Chelsea O’Brien , a woman whose childhood was one one child should ever experience, especially during her time in foster care, is a wiz lab tech with KCPD. It seems a hacker has decided she needs to be eliminated.
Robert/Buck Buckner is a jaded former cop, with tons of baggage from his past. Even though he is attracted to Chelsea , he believes she is too young and she deserves someone other than himself. His current goal in life is finding the son who disappeared years ago.Something Chelsea is helping him with.
But as the danger against Chelsea escalates , Buck is willing to not only be her protector, but also put his life on the line for her.
In the end, will he be able to keep her safe? If so, will they find their HEA or will Buck’s hang ups keep them apart? If Chelsea is able to find Buck’s son, will it be a happy reunion for father and son or will it be too late for them to reconcile?
Though this was an engaging clean suspense romance, reference to sexual abuse is mentioned more than once.
Lastly, the narrator, Leanne Maksin brings the story to life.
I was entrusted a copy of this audiobook by Netgalley and Harlequin Audio. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of Decoding the Truth by Julie Miller. I admit, I got this book because the main character's name is Chelsea, like mine. I started listening though, and it was a fun Sunday read. Chelsea seems like a smart cookie and she's working in the field I got my master's degree in, justice studies. I also liked her relationship with Buck and getting to see how much our own hang ups can get in the way.

This is a Romantic Suspense, and this is the second book in the Kansas City Crime Lab series. I have not read the first book in this series before picking up this book. I do think you can read this book as a standalone without any problems. I listened to the audiobook for this book, and I really enjoyed it. I loved the characters in this book, and I felt the connection between the two main characters. I loved all the action/suspense in this book, but I really loved that there were some cute and sweet moments in this book too. This book pulled me into the story, and I did not want to put this book down. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

Title: Decoding the Truth
Series: Kansas City Crime Lab #2
Author: Julie Miller
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Lianne Maksin
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Genre: Mystery/Romance
Audiobook Pub Date is scheduled for - March 18, 2025.
Originally Published November 10, 2022
My Rating: 2.5 Stars
Pages: 232

Chelsea O’Brien is a computer geek who can who helps solve crimes.
She has been helping retired police officer Buck Buckner search for his missing son Bobby who disappeared four years ago, shortly after he turned eighteen and was heading off to college.

Chelsea has been doing the investigation during her free time. She was delighted when she discovers that it appears Bobby is alive. However is suspicious when her investigations suddenly show Bobby's DNA appearing at multiple crime scenes. Found it odd that his DNA was at so many places. Someone is not pleased with her discovery and send her a message to stop. Next she is shot; thankfully Buck was with her., she would have been killed. Chelsea becomes suspicious about the sudden appearance of so many DNA matches.
Buck is much older than Chelsea and very much surprised that she is interested in him. Chelsea is attracted immediately.

This was my first Julie Miller. I read the great reviews before selected this story. Since most loved this Mystery/Romance - as well as the series. My expectations were rather high.
I love mysteries, especially cozy mysteries but this was not a cozy mystery. So was disappointed as I wasn’t expecting the foul language nor the love scenes.
Of course, doesn’t mean it wasn’t good – just wasn’t what I was expecting and therefore didn't really work for me! 🤔

Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this audiobook.
Audiobook Publishing ReRelease Date scheduled for March 18, 2025