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Even When You Lie

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Reagan Reyes hunts other people’s secrets. A former intelligence officer, she’s currently an in-house investigator for pricey uptown criminal defense attorney Cade McCarrick. The firm forbids in-house romances, but Reagan and Cade are firmly hooked up. Their love—and their agreement never to lie to each other—is the only truth they have in their world of subterfuge and betrayal.

That agreement is quickly broken when a mysterious woman leaves an envelope for Cade and is soon discovered dead. The envelope’s contents aren’t connected to any of Cade’s current cases, but Reagan discovers a connection to a brutal crime that happened outside a nightclub—and an even more ominous link to the dead woman.

This is a case that goes way beyond the cops. As she digs deeper into Dallas's sordid underbelly, she’s completely on her own—and there’s a killer who’s bent on eliminating her at any cost.

This pulse-pounding romantic thriller offers a fresh new take on big-city crime, from a dazzling and exciting new voice in the genre.

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2023

About the author

Michelle Cruz

3 books24 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
Profile Image for Coco (Semi-Hiatus).
965 reviews89 followers
August 20, 2023
Too much unnecessary romance.

The beginning of a story is crucial as it sets the tone for the rest of the novel. The excessive focus on the romance seemed to detract from the mystery element of the story. Additionally, the writing style felt disjointed at times, which made it difficult for me to fully engage with the narrative. Ultimately, I did not find any aspect of the story to be particularly noteworthy. Overall, not for me.

***Thank you to NetGalley, Michelle Cruz, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Profile Image for Donne.
1,338 reviews25 followers
April 28, 2023
The book summary pretty much lays out the primary storyline, so I won’t repeat it here. What the summary doesn’t mention is that early in the story, Reagan befriends a homeless and former veteran Ranger, Raffi, after he saves her life when she is attacked in a park while on an early morning run. Raffi appreciates her kindness and her offers of assistance in helping him get back on his feet. Raffi, as well as Cade, begin to worry about Reagan’s safety and they begin to feel protective towards her, as if she’s some kind of damsel in distress that needs to be saved by the big, strong men.

I’ve said this before, but feel compelled to say it again, my fave characters are smart, savvy, strong, bad@$$ women who can kick @$$ and take names as good as any man. Granted, most of my fave characters are law enforcement types, but Reagan is no slouch; she’s former military and a gun-carrying investigator. If this becomes a series, I’d strongly suggest that Cruz give Reagan some backbone as well as some spunk and moxie. JMHO

During the off-the-books investigation of a couple of deaths, related to the info that one of the victims provided early in the story, Reagan and Cade discover a connection to the managing partner, Bridger, as well as Cade’s boss. Pretty early in the story, I’m flip flopping between two characters about who the killer is. Around the halfway point, I’m pretty certain who it is.

The second half of the story is definitely more interesting and fast-paced than the first half. Bridger makes it clear to both Reagan and Cade that he’s aware of their private relationship as well as their investigations. At that point, the end comes pretty quickly in a scary and intense scene. FINALLY!!! Cruz gives Reagan a shot of bravado at the end. Also, while I was off-base on my suspicions who the killer was, I wasn’t completely off-base regarding the motive.

This story leans quite heavily towards romantic suspense than the gritty crime thrillers and murder mysteries that I usually read. The romantic scenes are a straight and solid PG rating, and not descriptive and/or graphic in any way to offend anyone not looking for that in the romantic suspense novels they choose to read. Most of the characters weren’t very likeable or were just kind of flat and one dimensional, except Raffi, who was, by far, my fave character.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was pleasant enough to listen to. I like listening to audiobooks when I exercise in the morning. However, it can be a little embarrassing sometimes when I laugh out loud or curse at something stupid that some character has done or said. I get the strangest looks whenever that happens😊 However, there wasn’t too much of that in this book and the few times it did, it tended to lean more towards the latter reason than the former.

I want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

@NetGalley @DreamscapeMedia @EvenWhenYouLie
Profile Image for Laurie Tell.
509 reviews14 followers
August 26, 2022
This was a really enjoyable novel of suspense. The synopsis per the editor:

Reagan Reyes hunts other people’s secrets. A former intelligence officer, she’s currently the in-house investigator for pricey criminal defense attorney, Cade McCarrick…and she’s his lover, despite the law firm’s rules forbidding romantic relationships between partners and staff. But their love—including their agreement never to lie to each other—is the only authenticity they have in a world of subterfuge and betrayal.

That agreement is pushed to its limits when a mysterious woman leaves an envelope for Cade and is soon discovered dead. While the envelope’s contents aren’t related to any of Cade’s current cases, Reagan uncovers a connection to a recent murder outside a nightclub—and an even more ominous link to the dead woman.

My thoughts:
It was well written and I could picture the people and places. It was a quick read and I kept the pages turning.
However, it was a little predictable - I pretty much knew what would happen early on. Also, it was almost a romance novel - which i did not expect. And a lot of descriptions of their sex life - which I honestly skimmed.

This is a good summer beach read - an easy, fun, suspenseful, quick read.

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which did not impact my review.
Profile Image for Kristin- Kristin's Bookstack.
870 reviews7 followers
March 23, 2023
I really liked the premise of the book- a dating couple at a law firm working together to find the connection between a big white envelope dropped off at the office by a young woman who then dies in the lobby of the building. I also enjoyed the exciting, action-packed ending that revealed the connection and who was behind her death.

What I didn’t like about the book was that a majority of the story was focused on Reagan and Cade’s relationship. They were either mad at each other for something inconsequential or they were passionately making love. To me, this is a red flag for a relationship. I also felt the main characters’ personalities were a bit flat making it hard to connect or relate to them. At times, the writing was choppy or disconnected. It seemed to me that the author left out small details to help paint the complete picture of what was happening. I also felt like I was reading a book from the middle of a series instead of a debut novel because the characters had a lot of backstories and past interactions, i.e., how they met- which story was not revealed, only eluded to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Profile Image for Sue Em.
1,464 reviews106 followers
April 2, 2023
Ex-military intelligence officer, Reagan Reyes, has a few secrets that she is trying to protect, mainly a forbidden relationship with her boss, Cade McCarrick, at an upscale Dallas criminal defense firm. All that is threatened when a young woman with pink hair comes into the firm asking to see Cade. Rebuffed, the woman drops off an envelope and leaves. Reagan follows her out the building only to see her collapse on the sidewalk. Will the contents in that envelope threaten Reagan's livelihood or her life? Fast-paced with engaging characters and an absorbing mystery. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Theomanic.
242 reviews4 followers
April 29, 2023
Ladies, is there anything sexier than a man who sells out his morals for money and ignores you being sexually harassed in front of him because it will endanger his career? Look no further than Cade McCarrick. He’s also a master of compliments, with romantic lines like “I never had a girl with a tattoo before”.

It’s all good because he spends bank on his girlfriend, buying her expensive shoes, purses, and clothes. So you know, he isn’t the only one selling out.

I got a very clear picture of Dallas from this book. I’m not sure if it’s an accurate one, but it was very clear. It’s extremely hot, super muggy, very classist, and has never seen a multiracial person in their city limits. It totally boggles the mind of a resident of Dallas that people of different races have children together. I’m not arguing, I’m in Toronto, I don’t know what Dallas is like. Considering the last name of the author, I can only assume she knows more about this topic than me. But that’s a wild notion to me; no one has kids across race lines in that city? That’s so messed up.

I’m very confused by the motivations of the main characters. Particularly the narrator. She is completely fine to work for a law firm that she believes only represents guilty, rich assholes, getting them off on technicalities and loopholes. For things like MURDER. And her boyfriend being the one who does this. It’s all good. She encourages it, supports his career, and doesn’t want to endanger hers at that company. Okay. But then she randomly decides this one stranger should have justice and suddenly she’s willing to endanger everything for her.

I don’t understand why this person who is comfortable and happy in her life and has thrown her morals in the garbage suddenly cares about getting justice for this one person she doesn’t even know. Maybe if it was some kind of realization, like a moral awakening to how much she’s sold out. But it wasn’t. She still wants them both to keep working at this place that regularly gets rich criminals off for their crimes. But not this one particular criminal. All the rest we can set free, but not this one.

Also, the smug judgmental tone of the narrator, mocking all the clients of the firm. Lady, you CHOSE to work there. And not to side with the villains here, but her relationship with Cade IS inappropriate. Ya, you shouldn’t be fucking your boss! He even says at one point that he’ll make sure she does well at the firm. That sort of shit is part of the problem. Like… if I can say anything, this book has (accidentally) painted a prime picture of how people justify the most egregious behaviour while still considering themselves a good person.

This is a woman who is having sex with her boss (against the code of conduct at her office), her boss who then says he’ll make sure her future is set at the office, the boss/boyfriend who regularly sets criminals and murderers free, and her job is to investigate witnesses and victims to smear them and get the criminals off. She is a Good Person, unlike all the clients of the people she chose to work for.

She’s also not a very skilled investigator. One of those prime cases of you only know a fact is true (supposedly the narrator is an amazing investigator) because we are told it despite all evidence to the contrary. No wonder she hasn’t gotten her PI license yet. But it does make one wonder why this fancy pants law firm was so desperate to hire her in the first place. Anytime the narrator is like “I’m a strong independent woman, I’m going to do this on my own!” she gets in some fucking shit.

As always, I take part of the blame here. I thought from the description this would be a mystery/thriller. It’s a romance, and we get to hear how these “perfect” people love each other. Over and over and over. And over. The mystery or whatever was just some thin covering for us to ooh over these beautiful people and their amazing life and yadda yadda. The supposed “mental chess” in the end was so tedious, wherein every obvious detail is excruciatingly spelled out.

I really didn’t like this book, if that wasn’t obvious. I can’t really think of anyone I’d recommend this to. The drinking game for this book is for every mention of how safe Cade smells. You might die idk… just don’t read more than a chapter or two at a time. A safer one might be for every time apple pie moonshine is mentioned, you’ll still get pretty soused. Better still, just don’t read it.
Profile Image for AndiReads.
1,335 reviews156 followers
September 24, 2022
Super fun thriller! Reagan Reyes is former military working as an in house investigator for a law firm in Texas.
Formerly a lone wolf, Reagan is also involved with Cade McCarrick, the top lawyer in the firm against company policy. She has to juggle her confusing feelings and hide the affair.

When a mysterious woman leaves an envelope for Cade and dies directly after, Reagan begins her own independent investigation, stirring up interest from some powerful enemies who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets safe.

This novel is super fun, super thrilling and reminded me of the blockbuster books I read years ago (only better written). If you want to be lost in a novel that reads like a movie, love your thrillers dashed with danger and romance or just are looking for a new female hero, Even When You Lie is for you! #MichelleCruz
#CrookedLaneBooks
Profile Image for Jenna hall.
1,172 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2023
Unnecessary romance. And I didn’t enjoy how Reagan was like ex-military but then relatively helpless throughout.
Profile Image for Lee.
824 reviews107 followers
August 24, 2022
Reagan Reyes hunts other people’s secrets. A former intelligence officer, she’s currently an in-house investigator for pricey uptown criminal defense attorney Cade McCarrick. The firm forbids in-house romances, but Reagan and Cade are firmly hooked up. Their love—and their agreement never to lie to each other—is the only truth they have in their world of subterfuge and betrayal.

I can't say how much I enjoyed this book, so much so that it was read in one session. Great story that kept me totally engaged and characters that I really enjoyed getting to know. Reagan and Cole make a fantastic team and the banter between them is captivating. A great thriller with a touch of romance which is usually not my thing but in this book it very much suited the story and I loved it. I will definitely be looking out for more books from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
Profile Image for Crystal.
121 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2023
Page turner and easy to get into. A hint of romance in this mystery so if you can’t read books with no romance, this book is great for you.

Profile Image for Kylie.
848 reviews17 followers
May 2, 2023
Narrated by Nan McNamara ⭐⭐⭐
Story by Michelle Cruz ⭐⭐⭐

It took me a while to get into this story. It felt a little over the top with the characters and how cool, popular and powerful they are but then it came together nicely in the end.
Profile Image for Lori Boyd.
651 reviews82 followers
April 4, 2023
Modern day mystery with a splash of romance thrown in. Enjoyable, quick read with likable characters and somewhat realistic storyline. Regan Reyes, Former AF officer turned criminal investigator with a large law firm. In an affair with her boss, Cade McCarrick, against company policy but agreeable and exclusive. Regan is given an envelop from a strange women who is later found dead. This opens a can of worms, leading to a somewhat expected outcome.

A little bit of something for everyone in this book. I did enjoy the relationship between Regan and Cade, different to the point of their devotion and love for each other. Trigger warning: racism, Veteran Affairs. New author for me. Look forward to reading her again.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
Profile Image for Brooke | bookswithbabs.
354 reviews14 followers
April 13, 2023
4.5/5 stars

Thank you Dreamscape media for the advanced listening copy!

Reagan Reyes has found the perfect job, prime investigator for pricey criminal defense attorney, Cade McCarrick. With her military background and secret, budding romance with Cade, Reagan is known for being great at her job and finding the secrets of others. When a mysterious woman comes into the office with an envelope for Cade, then ends up dead on the street, Reagan can't help herself but investigate the sudden death and her possible connections to Cade/the firm. Reagan suddenly finds herself on the receiving end of violence in a race against those who desperately want to keep their secrets hidden.

I enjoyed this one so much more than I was expecting. It started off a little slow for me but was soooo worth the perseverance, as it turned into a gripping thriller with a great mystery. This was described as a "romantic thriller," which is the perfect descriptor. I loved the romantic moments mixed in with the complexity of the rest of the story. The book really kept me guessing, with some great moments of foreshadowing that were so fun as the reader. I really grew to cherish the complexities of Reagan's character. The narration was fantastic and very well done, with some poetic language throughout. Overall, a really solid thriller that was a fun listen.
Profile Image for Becca.
232 reviews22 followers
January 29, 2023
By turns smooth and raw, Even When You Lie is hard to put down. Armed with a sharp mind and an insatiable curiousity, our heroine digs into a murder no one wants solved, risking her relationship, her career, and the safety of everyone she loves. The mystery takes us from the glittering heights of Dallas society to the cracked pavement of back alleys and neglected neighborhoods, as seen through the eyes of someone balanced precariously between two worlds. I enjoyed the depiction of and reflections on Texas culture, both the good and the bad – as I always say, no one writes Texas like Texans. And the complicated characters and relationships kept me guessing as much as the question of whodunnit (my favored suspect was entirely too obvious in hindsight). Highly recommended to fans of noir fiction.

My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Risa.
762 reviews26 followers
May 1, 2023
3.75ish stars

Generally, I liked this story, including the over-the-top and dramatic conclusion. What I didn’t love as much was the relationship between the characters; in particular, I didn’t appreciate the male protagonist’s actions at different times. From the female protagonist, there was too much “If I do x, he won’t respect me the same way” for my liking…and, ugh. That aside, the story itself was fast-paced and interesting, and even though some parts weren’t really for me, it was an overall fun reading experience.

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for itsallaboutbooksandmacarons.
1,657 reviews25 followers
April 2, 2023
Thank you Dreamscape media and Netgalley for the audio book. I adored the narration and I liked the story even more. I loved the mix of genres and innparticular thrillers and romances. And Texas is really great to read about. So many differences between the people I was never thinking. Love the layers of this book.
Profile Image for Brandy.
1,020 reviews18 followers
May 8, 2023
After several duds, this debut author's book was a pleasant surprise.
Profile Image for Brandie KK.
270 reviews
May 10, 2023
Can't remember why I decided to read this book, it may have been a recommendation on the Hoopla app. Either way, glad I did. I jumped into this book without knowing what it was about and it is definitely not my norm. However, I really enjoyed this book. Suspense, romance, drama - it has it all. Cruz excels at relationships and layering of storylines and she could definitely create an entire series off this book.
Profile Image for Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50).
1,512 reviews163 followers
April 10, 2023
Even when you Lie
By: Michelle Cruz
🎧 Narrator: Nan McNamara

Cade McCarrick is a Criminal Defense Attorney and Reagan Reyes is a former military Intelligence officer turned investigator.

Their story of love and possible betrayal makes for a fun story. They work together and are not supposed to be seeing each other romantically. They make an agreement to never lie to each other.

She finds an envelope with mysterious contents from a women who comes up dead. This takes Regan to the seedy world of Dallas and quickly becomes a target. Will Cade and Reagan solve the mystery? Will their relationship take a tole? What secrets can they be keeping?

Since I live in Texas I enjoyed the mention of places I had been including the beautiful Piney Woods. I enjoyed the narrator and the novel.

Thank you Netgalley, Michelle Cruz and Dreamscape Media for this audio which is available as of March 21, 2023.

#evenwhenyoulie, #michellecruz, #dreamscapemedia, #netgalley, #audioreview, #bookstagram, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50
Profile Image for Soraya Pierre-Louis.
127 reviews2 followers
June 16, 2023
Yawn, boring. 1.5 because you can read it but you’ll be turning the pages waiting for it to end. It’s not even about the murder mystery it’s about Reagan and Cade’s secret relationship. When I read a legal thriller I want THRILL!
Profile Image for J Kromrie.
1,365 reviews25 followers
February 5, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

Even When You Lie by Michelle Cruz is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that explores the dark side of love, secrets, and justice. The protagonist, Reagan Reyes, is a former intelligence officer who works as an investigator for a high-profile criminal defense attorney, Cade McCarrick. They are also lovers, despite the firm's strict policy against in-house romances. Their relationship is based on a mutual agreement never to lie to each other, but that is soon tested when a mysterious woman leaves an envelope for Cade and ends up dead. Reagan finds out that the envelope contains a clue to a brutal murder that happened outside a nightclub, and that the dead woman had a connection to both Cade and the victim. As she tries to unravel the truth, she realizes that she is dealing with a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to silence her.

The author does a great job of creating a realistic and vivid setting of Dallas, Texas, where the story takes place. She portrays the contrast between the glamorous and wealthy Uptown and the gritty and dangerous Deep Ellum, where the crimes occur. She also exposes the corruption and racism that pervade the legal system and the police force, and how they affect the lives of the innocent and the guilty alike. The plot is full of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end, and the characters are well-developed and complex. Reagan is a strong and smart heroine who has a troubled past and a fierce sense of justice. Cade is a charismatic and charming lawyer who has a hidden agenda and a questionable morality. Their chemistry is undeniable, but their trust is fragile. The secondary characters are also interesting and add depth to the story.

Even When You Lie is a captivating and suspenseful novel that will appeal to fans of romantic thrillers and noir mysteries. It is a debut that showcases the talent and potential of Michelle Cruz, a new and exciting voice in the genre. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mix of romance, action, and intrigue. Knocking a star off the rating just because personally I am not a romance fan, but if YOU are a fan of both love and mystery stories, this might be just your cuppa.
Profile Image for Colleen.
964 reviews18 followers
March 8, 2023
Even When You Lie is a fantastic modern day romantic mystery. Reagan Reyes is a former intelligence officer, a captain in the Air Force and now she’s currently an in-house investigator for a criminal defense attorney Cade McCarrick. The firm forbids in-house romances, but Reagan and Cade believe they are quietly but firmly together. They have an agreement never to lie to each other.

A Strange but mysterious woman leaves an envelope for Cade and is soon discovered dead outside their offices. The envelope’s contents aren’t connected to any of Cade’s current cases, but Reagan curiosity gets the better of her when she begins to ask questions quietly and discovers a connection to a brutal crime that happened outside a nightclub—and a link to the dead woman.

The detectives come to ask questions, but they deftly answer by not giving them any information since it is not their case. As she digs deeper things become clearer but nothing concrete. One morning while running Reagan is attacked and told to leave it alone. Rafi, a homeless Texas Ranger, Reagan tries to befriend, and help comes to her rescue and scares off the attacker. Rafi sees her home safely and quickly becomes a part of their lives.

The contents of the envelope will lead to another death of someone who may be connected to the dead woman and a managing partner of the law firm where Cade and Reagan work. Reagan and Cade's life will be in danger as they get too close for a killer who wants to win it all at any cost.

This was a fun mystery to read. There is a lot of emphasis on the relationship between Reagan and Cade. But the real story is about the murder and how it affects the law firm. I really enjoyed the relationship between Cade and Reagan which are two very strong characters and the people they work with, but not only that the people they encounter as they investigate. The way the story ends makes me hopeful that this could be a series in the future. I really would like to read several more books with these characters.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
236 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2023
Michelle Cruz is a new voice in the mystery- thriller genre making her debut with "Even When You Lie". The story focuses predominantly on the relationship between Reagan Reyes and her boss, criminal defence attorney Cade McCarrick. A former intelligence officer, she is hired by Cade to be his in-house investigator at the firm he works in.

Reagan's chance encounter at her office with a strange woman changes the course of both her and Cad's lives. When Michelle Cruz is a new voice in the mystery- thriller genre making her debut with "Even When You Lie". The story focuses predominantly on the relationship between Reagan Reyes and her boss, criminal defence attorney Cade McCarrick. A former intelligence officer, she is hired by Cade to be his in-house investigator at the firm he works in.

Reagan's chance encounter at her office with a strange woman changes the course of both their lives; as they try to unearth the truth behind her death and other matters pertaining to it, they both also have to understand their feelings towards each other. In a very fast and thrilling story, the author Michelle tells a tale of perseverance, courage, love and bravery.

This is a very decent debut attempt by author Michelle and definitely worth reading, The author has a brisk and crisp style of writing with perfect pacing. The story never slows down; it starts off at full speed and never let's up. The author has tried to place the book in the romantic thriller but the story just doesn't give value in terms of its mystery elements. I also felt the romantic angle of the book also requires more finesse and depth.

Overall, this is a decent attempt by the author and a good mystery thriller.
168 reviews10 followers
August 25, 2023
Ideal for enthusiasts of Lisa Scottoline and Kimberly McCreight, Michelle Cruz's debut novel will engross readers, compelling them to eagerly flip through the pages as they delve deep into the shady underbelly of the glamorous city of Dallas in this captivating Texas noir.

Reagan Reyes is a seeker of others' hidden truths. Once an intelligence operative, she now serves as an internal investigator for high-priced criminal defense attorney Cade McCarrick. Their relationship goes beyond professional boundaries—they are lovers, despite the firm's prohibition on romantic involvements between colleagues. Amidst a world of deceit and treachery, their love, along with their pact never to deceive each other, stands as the sole authenticity.

This agreement is put to the test when an unidentified woman leaves an envelope for Cade, only to be found dead shortly after. While the envelope's contents don't seem relevant to any of Cade's ongoing cases, Reagan unearths a connection to a recent murder outside a nightclub in Deep Ellum, uncovering an even more ominous tie to the deceased woman.

Law enforcement appears disinterested in either death, but the proximity of the cases hits too close to Reagan's heart to ignore. As she delves deeper into the disreputable aspects of Dallas, she navigates the treacherous terrain alone, save for Cade's presence. Yet, a determined killer is set on eliminating both of them, whatever the cost.

This heart-racing romantic thriller provides a novel perspective on urban crime, delivered by an exciting and fresh new voice in the genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Maggie N.
44 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2022
Michelle Cruz is a debut author to watch. Even When You Lie is a fast-paced, twisty, tense novel that doesn’t hesitate to smash the glittering avenues of Texas wealth up against its gutters of corruption.

Reagan Reyes, a military veteran turned private investigator at a highbrow Dallas law firm, is walking a number of very fine tightropes. She has to cozy up to the law firm’s upper-class founders enough to ingratiate herself with them, but not so much that she loses her sense of self. She has to be professional with her lawyer boss during the day, even though she’s spending every night in his bed. And she’s investigating the suspicious death of a woman who visited the law firm, even though shadowy enemies clearly would rather she left well enough alone. Piece by piece, she must unravel the mystery before the killer can take everything she holds dear – her job, her love, and even her life.

Cruz expertly weaves themes of class, race, and justice into this dark, modern Texas noir. She brings a gritty realism to the character of Reagan, a tough, uncompromising Air Force vet disillusioned by the realities of being a woman in the military and being a plain-spoken, unapologetically competent investigator in a world that would prefer she apologize for herself and stop talking. Reagan has an excellent foil in Cade, a former small-town football hero torn between doing whatever it takes to escape his hardscrabble roots, and holding onto his morals. Together, the two are ambitious, driven, and steamy, exchanging rapid-fire banter that will make you laugh and gasp.

Add to all this the fact that Cruz's writing is the kind that, within a page, captures you with its smoky, weathered Southern flair and clever, evocative phrasing. Her voice is particularly beautiful whenever Cruz takes us to the Piney Woods of East Texas.

Highly recommend this page-turner by a bright new voice in southern fiction.
Profile Image for Jennifer Nicole.
361 reviews18 followers
May 3, 2023
Even When You Lie by Michelle Cruz

This novel is categorized as a legal thriller, but it is VERY “er” and not a lot of “thrill”. More appropriately it should be labeled as a legal romance because there is SOOOOO much romance. Healthy romance life aside; it becomes exceedingly grating.

Cade is an up-and-coming criminal defense lawyer at his firm and is looking to make named partner. He manages to poach Reagan from a military career in investigation to his firm. Their professional and private lives intermingle (A LOT). The story begins with the mysterious Heather waltzing into the office to drop off a manila envelope and then proceeding to drop dead. I know…attention getting, but then the story flits around a lot. The “devil is in the details” and there are so many that do not add up. The author takes a lot of liberties with these details and character development; this makes them feel flat and unlikable.

Cade is an obsessive controlling chauvinist that supports the “good old boy’s club”. Reagan, despite a career in the military, cannot seem to defend herself and is essentially a weak heroine. All of this and the constant romance was off putting. The storyline had elements of surprise and a few moments of twist that rounded up my review rating.

Ultimately the best part of this story was the audio narration by Nan Mcnamara which was very well done. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC audio book in return for an honest review.
121 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2023
Even When You Lie is a good suspense novel mixed with some romance. The novel follows Reagan Reyes, who is a in-house investigator for a high profile Dallas criminal defense attorney Cade McCarrick. The two are engaged in a secret relationship despite the law firms strict in-house no relationship rules. While at work one day, a mystery woman comes into the firm demanding to talk to Cade. Reagan tells her Cade isn’t there, but she leaves an envelope and runs out of the firm. Reagan follows her to make sure everything is okay and then witnesses her dying on the street outside. Reagan and Cade then attempt to investigate why she died, what did the information in the envelope mean and how was the law firm partners involved.

The novel is paced well, with a good mix of the investigation and romance. Sometimes the relationship felt a little juvenile with the fights, but it was explained as having issues with commitment and the secrecy of their relationship. However, both Reagan and Cade are great characters and I would continue reading a series with the characters in the book. I also really liked the setting of Dallas, Texas. I live in the area and enjoyed seeing the city through the authors eyes!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me an E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Krissy (books_and_biceps9155).
1,029 reviews61 followers
March 15, 2023
Thank you to @crookedlanebooks for my advance copy! I am literally obsessed with this cover. Isn’t it just so aesthetically pleasing?! I haven’t seen much of this around booksta and I wonder why?!

Now this novel is described as a romantic suspense thriller, and I feel that was perfectly marketed. It is very much a Texas noir filled with glitter and glamour of the upper class. I loved the law firm aspect mixed with our main character, former Intelligence Officer and Air Force woman, Regan Reyes. She’s a bad ass and I am always drawn to those types of characters. She’s smart, aware and yet there was a raw venerability to her I loved. I also really liked Rafi. I was happy with is small part of the story and his story line. The story is told from Regan’s POV, and I did appreciate the social commentary mixed throughout the novel. It isn’t much, but we do get Cruz’ point regarding minorities and the way they are treated unjust in the eyes of the law.

There is a touch of romance in this one and a bit of steam so for my smutty friends who also like anxious and propelling thrillers-this one is perfect for you. You really get a sense for Cruz’ background (Air Force and Congressional Staff Member) Impressive AF by the way and it made the story very realistic. I look forward to more by her!
Profile Image for Catherine.
45 reviews
May 24, 2023
This book was gripping and clever, full of intrigue and set to the perfect spice level! It's witty, thoughtful, and dripping with that perfect level of suspense that had my heart pounding. I've been looking forward to this book for absolutely aaaaaaaaaages, and it was such a pleasure to finally devour it! Reagan and Cade's relationship was beautiful in its simultaneous ease and uncertainty, and I was hooked on the tension and trust in their relationship. I couldn't get enough of them, and I inhaled the last third of the book as their stakes drove higher. I loved that Reagan was shown as a powerful woman, and yet not impervious to fear, insecurity, and uncertainty that made her feel so real. And while I will never be as cool as Reagan, I like to think I could relate to her.

The themes of racism, both systemic and personal, were powerful, and the threads of misogyny and women standing up for women were at once infuriating and bracing. I loved the careful attention to Rafi's story, and the light Michelle shed on the painful circumstances of veterans in Rafi's shoes was instructive to a civilian like me.

Keep an eye out for more books from Michelle, because they're gonna be stunners!
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