An intriguing, suspenseful read with a fascinating heroine…

This is the first book in the Lilah Love series, the ending is a cliff-hanger.

As an FBI profiler based in California, Lilah Love has seen her share of deaths, no matter how gruesome the scene she’s not easily shocked; she just goes into a certain mind zone and processes the scene. The current death is different, the deceased man sports a unique tattoo she’s seen once before and though she conceals her reaction, she’s shaken. The case ties back to her past that she’s tried to keep buried but this death and one that follows across the country has her sent homeward to The Hamptons, New York where she’ll have to face what she basically ran from. Only one person knows her secret, at least that’s what they’d both believed until a stalker leaves her anonymous notes that has her thinking otherwise. Lilah needs answers for what happened in the past but at what cost in the present? What nasty things will surface as she seeks those answers?

With a father who is the mayor with higher political ambitions, a brother who is the police chief and an ex- boyfriend who is the son of a deceased crime lord things get interesting rather quickly, the dynamics between all of them is complicated, set by a history that unfolds as the story progresses. Protecting her secret and suspecting an assassin is on the loose which goes against the politics of the situation, Lilah has her hands full, she’s more than capable of the challenge but this one touches her emotions as she wades through all the murders, secrets, lies and manipulations going on around her.

This was an intriguing, suspenseful read containing a fascinating heroine with a unique psychology that she shares with the reader through vivid descriptive memories/nightmares, the story is in her lone point of view. She’s a complex and damaged individual and that works for her. She’s a woman defined by an event in the past, and as a testament to her inner strength and resiliency she’s highly functioning even though she’s never faced that past down. The heroine has a perplexing enigma to solve, one in which she stars as the common denominator; she also has a dilemma. How do you solve a case and bring the perpetrator to justice while finding answers to personal past events without ruining your own career?8

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.

I have read and enjoyed books by Lisa Renee Jones before, so when I discovered she wrote a Thriller I decided to give it a go. Just like with every new series, it takes me time to get used to the new world and characters. The pacing of this story was fast, there was a lot going on during certain moments. Lilah Love has a lot to handle with her personal struggles/demons, family problems, and series of murders. She is a FBI profiler, however in my opinion she didn't come across as a very good one. Her theories were all over the place, which started to confuse me. Also she loves Chanel, it being repeated multiple times got a bit annoying at a certain point.

Lilah is not a very likable person, she is very demanding and headstrong. She expects everyone to be at her beck and call, which didn't appeal to me. It was just very difficult for me to connect with her. I did enjoy her interactions with Kane, who I look forward to seeing more of in the next book. I also liked the flashbacks, and I wish there was more of them, because it gives the reader a great look into why Lilah is the way she is. Nothing is really resolved in this book so it left me with a lot of unanswered questions and unsatisfied. However, I do want to find out what will happen next and who the killer is. I'll probably pick up the next book to see which direction the author will take this story. Also I'm looking forward to seeing Lilah grow as a character. Who knows, I'll maybe end up liking and rooting for her in the next book.

This is a very cool new romantic suspense series emphasis on the suspense. Lilah Love is a badass FBI profiler and just such a great character. I love her! The way her mind works through a profile/case is something else and it makes you, as the reader,really think. I love that about this book and it made me be very invested in what was going on. The constant suspenseful vibe throughout the book made it really hard to even put down. Romance is definitely not the driving force of this book but it is there. So many great characters are introduced and I love that is is difficult to tell who is on what side of the law.
Suffice it to say, I’m a huge fan!
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series though since I am not the biggest fan of cliffhangers but in this case, some are totally worth the read.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Murder Notes by Lisa Renee Jones that I read and reviewed.
Where do I go with this book? After finishing this book and the way the author left the reader hanging I feel like I wasted hours of my life reading this book. Frankly, it was not all that great to begin with and how the was ended on a major cliff hanger this book was a huge disappointment and not worth my time because I will probably forget to read the second book so I will never know how this story ends because it just did not get me that much. Maybe if it had a better ending and the series could move on with a new case it would have ended better but books with cliff hangers like TV just don't work for me. I read over 100 books a year and I am not going to re-read a book like a would rewatch a TV show.
Unfortunately, I can only give Murder Notes two out of five stars.

This the first book in the “Lilah Love” series by author Lisa Renee Jones. I have read several books by this author and have not been disappointed; this book is no different. I felt this was a good mystery story with a lot going on. I found myself in the shower trying to figure things out. As with some of Ms Jones books she leaves us on a cliffhanger, you know the head smacking, yelling “NO!” kind. When I first read the heroines name I was glad I had already swallowed my coffee. The author defiantly gave us something to smile about with that, the other characters didn’t let it go either. Lilah is no wilting flower; her job alone should say that much about her, she is an FBI profiler. Her job has her working at different hours of the day and her latest murder scene has taken her back home to the Hamptons; where secrets and her ex-lover, and family are. So much is going on with this story and her investigation that it keeps you thinking about it, like I said even in the shower. I look forward to seeing how Lilah deals with her past secrets, her ex-lover, her previously ex-lover, her family, and not to mention solving the murders on top of it all. Again, I really enjoyed this book, it was well written with great character development. The murder mystery, the dialog between characters and the heroines monologue was well done. Can’t wait to see the twists the author will be putting in the next book!

***I voluntarily reviewed this ARC from Montlake Romance for an honest review via NetGalley, this is my honest opinion and has not been influenced by the author, Publishers or NetGalley in anyway.*** Thank you!

In Murder Notes the author weaves a tangled web of suspense, intrigue and mystery. Nailbiting!

Lilah is a proficient FBI crime profiler in LA. She is investigating a series of murder with the same MO. Whereas everyone seems to believe it's a serial killer, her instinct and experience tell her it's not the case. The latest victim stirs an unwanted bad memory and at the same time, she is sent to her hometown in the Hamptons where she is greeted with a horrible case. Not what she anticipated at all. Coincidence?

She has her specific method of gathering information and whilst doing so, she finds that she has to plough through a mound of suspects, before narrowing it down. She starts to receive cryptic notes, connecting to the past that she left behind two years ago. A past that is a secret known only to herself and one other. Her job isn't made easy, for the locals want a quick fix and the authorities are only too keen to "have their minds put at rest"!

As the story develops, it becomes obvious that there is more to this case that meets the eye. A conspiracy looks likely, but identifying the guilty parties isn't so straightforward. The more she digs, the more convoluted it becomes. There are those who want her out of the way. Do they have their own agenda, and if so, what is it?

Family and friends are not what they seem. Kane, the son of a crime lord has a past with Lilah and now they are constantly butting heads. She can't decide if he is friend or foe. It's exhausting watching them fight the obvious chemistry between them. I must admit that I am in Kane's corner and hope that the next installment sheds more light on the true nature of his involvement. This novel kept me on the edge of my seat and then came the cliffhanger. This murder mystery thriller is complex, but well crafted. A very compelling indeed!

I was kindly issued with an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

Detective Lilah Love is used the jokes about her name, she's used to the horrors of brutal crime scenes, and she's used to being alone. A pile of bodies all murdered in the same way call her back home to the Hamptons, a place she isn't used to being around people she isn't used to seeing. Determined to track down the killer she begins gathering data, only to find herself the target of eerie notes that relate to something she thought was in the past. The notes, the bodies, and those fighting to keep everything covered up reveal to her that maybe the tie in between all the murders is herself.

"He is the devil, but then, I am no angel. He made sure of that."

Oh my, Lisa Renee Jones has done it again, but this time from the perspective of a beautiful, complicated woman who doesn't have the time for romancing. It's different for LRJ and I really enjoyed Lilah Love and her crude mouth. She's a different sort of female character, very complex and strong in many ways, but also incredibly broken and weighed down by life. She covers things up with wit and sarcasm and she believes she protects others by keeping everything to herself. Her past is a difficult one and though it is fitting of the story, it's painful to watch a piece of her past haunt her in a very present and active way. Then there's the men, oh the men. The list goes on and on, from family members to exes to coworkers, Lilah is surrounded by a sea of men who don't really want her to uncover the truth, who don't really want her to be as strong as she is. They treat her delicately, like she's breakable and simply unable to handle the realities. The men ignore her role, her strength, and are simple unaware of the past that made her into the woman she is. She remains fierce, strong willed, and increasingly agitated by the assumptions of those around her.

"There's always a murder where you are, Lilah."

Which brings me to the meat of the story, the murders of four individuals that, for some reason, the men don't want her to work. Lilah Love is neck deep in the mystery, but Murder Notes is a thriller not a mystery and that is very apparent as it is revealed to readers that somehow Lilah is tied into all of this. In very lengthy, maybe too lengthy, detail LRJ tells us of Lilah's pasts, of the current crime scenes, of the lives of every individual possibly involved, and the history that surrounds the current murders. There's a stalker, an assassinator, a long simmering romance, political aspirations, friends, enemies, and two cartels that just can't seem to get along when left to their own devices. It's fairly complicated and quite a lot to remember, which was tedious at first, but in time I was attached to this story and just as addicted to solving the crime as Lilah. Unfortunately, Murder Notes is book one in a series and we are left with a cliffhanger that promises answers, and likely more questions, are to come.

"It bleeds because you bleed."

I'm not sure how long I can wait for answers in the Lilah Love series, the danger too great to ignore and the passionate lust between Lilah and another just promises there is more smut to come. There's secrets to uncover, lies to disprove, and a deadly killer and a stalker who must be found out. Murder Notes is an engaging, character-driven thriller from the incredible Lisa Renee Jones. It's a series you won't be able to walk away from and one you won't be able to guess the ending of.

This book is one of those that you will despise if you are a pick up and read for an hour person. This is a book you will enjoy if you read it cover to cover. This is a suspense book with some casual naked bits. This book has you questioning who is good, who is bad, who is lying, who is innocent. This ends in a huge cliffhanger that makes you want the next book. This book is a very detailed suspense novel with a lot of characters to keep track of. I think there was a lot of fluff material and it stalled a bit for me . I loved Kane’s character and I am still unsure how I feel about Lilah and her role as an FBI agent.

This is a good read from LRJ. The suspense and mystery has a great premise. I did like Kane and Lilah. Kane is mysterious and exudes sexy and Lilah's snark is great.
Then I did have some issues with the book. The plot is great. There were too many characters in the mix and way too much dialogue for my taste and it slowed the book down. I understand the need for backstory, it just brought the whole story to a standstill at times, waiting for the next crazy thing. The twists are plentiful and honestly you really don't know who is who and where the next crazy thing is coming from. Lilah is a profiler for the FBI, you wouldn't know that by her behavior in the book. I get her need to solve this recent murder and string of events which are tied seemingly to her past and family, however her skills are absent in this book. It's a merry go round of people and events that at several points made me want to jump off and not watch. Lilah is flying solo here, doesn't lend a lot of cred to the story. Her behavior at times was frenetic. The story ends on a cliffhanger or maybe I should call it a slow slide into the next book.
Should you read this? Yes. LRJ fans will eat this up and want more. My hope is that she spent this whole book setting up book two which will run closer to the plot, have a lot less meaningless dialogue and nail down some history.

**arc from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I normally really like this author, but this book really didn't work for me. A big part of that is that I thought Lilah was a bitch and not in a good way. She has such a chip on her shoulder and does things to push people away. I felt like through out the whole book she wanted to just work the case on her own, unless she needed help, that she would have been happy to see her family play a part in the crime, but not Kane. I found that a bit odd as Kane is a known criminal. Of course that might be due to their past and the one night that changed everything for her. I wish that we had gotten more about that night because I have a feeling that night plays a big part in what is going on now.

I really didn't see myself continuing with this series, but the ending makes me slightly interested. If my library gets the next book I may check it out, will have to see my mood when I see it on their site.

Lilah Love, is an FBI profiler. She must think like a killer to catch the killer. She is an exceptional profiler and she’s only 28 years old.
Lilah is hiding a secret that only her ex knows about. What could it be? Will he betray her?
She returns home to Long Island to find a killer or killers.
This is a guaranteed page turner. One that could easily be made into a movie or possible TV series... Loved it!
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy to read and review in return for an honest opinion.

I have been a fan of Lisa Renee Jones for a long time and this book is another winner. It's suspense and intrigue from the first page, and Lilah is the woman to figure it out. The only down side to this book is that it ends on a cliffhanger. Normally I don't like cliffhangers and I don't read them, but i will definitely be back for book 2.

I have no idea where to start with this. This is not the typical Lisa Renee Jones book and I loved it. Lilah Love has a secret. This secret could end her career as a profiler for the FBI. Being sent back to New York from Los Angeles to find a connection to similar murder scenes.
Lilah, is smart and cautious about profiling this case. She knows it’s related to her secret from her past. She left New York to get away from it. She also has connection with Kane Mendez, whose family is Know in the Mexican drug trade. This connection complicates her trying to keep her secret buried in the past. Her brother is also chief of the East Hamptons police department and her father is running for mayor of New York City. Knowing what she has to do, she keeps her wits about her while stressing over not linking her past to the present.
I can’t wait to read the conclusion in Murder Girl. I received Murder Notes as an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I recommend The Lilah Love Series if you like suspenseful stories .

3 1/2 stars
The story feels like there is more to it but somewhere it falls flat. It could be because she mention Cujo her shotgun in almost every single chapter or the endless monologue Lisa Renee Jones uses though out the story. The more Lisa Renee Jones uses the inner working of the lead characters mind the slower the story becomes until it stops the flow of the story and leaves readers trying to decide if they should finish the book or more on to something with a little more bite. Lilah is suppose to be a expert profiler but seems lost to many times and readers will lose hope in Lilah.

The story has lots of promise but falls flat many times.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Montlake Romance for the advance copy

One of the best reads for when you need a little shake-up in your reading.
Nothing gets me going like a good old-fashioned mystery. Give me a cop on a mission and I am your girl. Murder Notes is smart, thought-provoking, and thrilling. All the things I want in a book.

Do yourself a favor and GET THIS BOOK!

4 1/2 Star Review.....

Murder Notes is the first book in Lisa Renee Jones brand new series, LILAH LOVE. And while I’m not usually a fan of serialized series, and especially the cliffhangers at the end of each book, I must admit this one reeled me in, hook, line and sinker!

A fabulous mix of romance and murder, suspense, Murder Notes has a steady flowing storyline, with interesting and engaging characters and a wealth of mystery and intrigue too. There’s simply nothing not to like about Lilah Love’s character and her support cast are absolutely brilliant.

I can’t wait for the next gripping instalment in this heart-stopping series.

Really enjoyable read defiantly got the Criminal Minds feel to it! This books kept me guessing with its twists and turns! Thankyou to Netgalley and Lisa Renée Jones for the arc!

It was a good book that had a few twist and turns . I recommend it for those who like mysteries. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. The only thing that I hated was that it ended with a cliffhanger .

I have loved every book that I have read by this author, but this is my favorite so far. I loved the mystery and intrigue, mixed with family secrets and past and present lovers all vying for Lilah's attention and she just wants to do her job and find a killer. I have so many questions and I know that I'll have more before I get the answers I need and I am OK with that. Can't wait to read book 2. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book provided through Netgalley.

This is the first book I have read by this author, but will not be the last! Murder Notes is a fantastic story of FBI Agent Lilah Love and the first in what I hope is a series! I liked how the author gave you teases of her back story throughout the book but doesn't paint the whole picture until needed. This story is ripe with suspense and I can't wait to find out who done it! Her relationship with Kane is phenomenal and their chemistry is off the charts! What has happened to Lilah has made her the person that she is and she doesn't apologize for being a strong independent woman that also has a vulnerability that she keeps very close to her chest. I hope to find out more about her family in the next book in this series! Well done Ms. Jones! You have garnered another fan with this book!