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.

📚 Book Review 📚

This is a dark and twisted love story between Lydia, a forensic photographer and Adam, a charmingly sadistic serial killer.

The book is written from both perspectives of the main characters and it’s pacy, intriguing and deathly enthralling.

There are some pretty horrific descriptions and emotive scenes but as a horror, and a thriller with a hint of twisted romance, it is a great read. I really enjoyed it, it is well written and the author has definitely done her homework. I am very much looking forward to reading her next book, although I won’t be going camping any time soon!🏕️

I’d like to thank Mad Axe Media, NetGalley and the author for the arc and the fantastic opportunity, in exchange for my honest feedback 😊

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A thrilling horror novel from a debut author, this book was fast-paced and exciting from cover to cover. This was an exploration of what unresolved trauma can do to a person, what it can cause them to do, who it can shape them into.

Lydia and Adam were the perfect cat and mouse duo as a forensic photographer and a serial killer, and the story has you both rooting for each of them and fearing that the worst might happen.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, I just with there had been MORE. Sometimes it felt rushed, like conclusions were drawn or decisions were made a bit more hastily than they should've been. I would have liked to have seen a bit more time taken with character development and the evolution of their relationship. That being said, I would highly recommend this book and if a sequel were to come, I would pick it up immediately, because the ending felt slightly abrupt and there just wasn't enough, it definitely left me wanting more!

I'll be keeping an eye on Stephanie Rose and crossing my fingers for more of her work!

This was a great read. Very intense. Reminds me of a law and order episode. If you like that show this is a great read for you.

Hiding lies was a very fast paced book. Coming from the pov of a forensic photographer and a serial killer , there is a few twists and turns I was not expecting at all , but I was also expecting more to come from this story, I think there could of been a lot more to it , hence the 3 stars , but what I did read was really good!

This book was amazing. I was hooked from the first page! Although I knew what was coming, it was still so wild when it happened! I wish the book kept going! I'd love a second book and to know how she photographs the crime scenes nowadays ;) I don't want to give any spoilers out!

If you are a fan of anything that has to do with TV shows like criminal minds, CSI, or law and order then this book is the book for you. I loved that this book was based off of a serial killer and a forensic photographer, and made it sort of into a romance, but with the thrill and excitement of an episode of what one would expect in a true crime TV show. Seeing how the main characters evolve and then meet and connect with one another, and all of the things that come from it is written so well and keeps you hooked throughout the entire read. Even the end of the book made me want to read more and left me wondering what was going to happen next, and on the edge of my seat like there is no way this can end here, but overall I loved every minute of it!