What Lies Beneath

Millionaires of Manhattan #1

by Andrea Laurence

They say she's Cynthia Dempsey, fiancée of media mogul Will Taylor. But try as she might, she can't recall their high-society life or the man sitting by her hospital bed. Though her body certainly remembers him. Even as she senses the distance between them, the electricity when they touch is undeniable.

Will can hardly believe Cynthia's transformation. Gone is the ice queen who betrayed him, and in her place is a woman who seems genuine and warm. But can he risk his heart again, not knowing what might happen when her memory returns?

Genres: Harlequin, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Desire, Contemporary, Fiction, Chick Lit

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Andrea Laurence has been a lover of reading and writing stories since she learned to read at a young age. She always dreamed of seeing her work in print and is thrilled to finally be able to share her special blend of sensuality and dry, sarcastic humor with the world. A dedicated West Coast girl transplanted into the Deep South, she's working on her own "happily ever after" with her new husband and a golden retriever puppy.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. This wasn't the usual amnesia story, as this combined amnesia and mistaken identity. I liked the way that Will stood by her, even though they had called off the engagement right before the plane crash. I think it said a lot about how good a person he was. That being said, he was also very cautious about the apparent change in her personality, since he had been betrayed by her before. Meanwhile, Cynthia was trying to remember the things that everyone was telling her, but none of it felt right. When she realized that her old life didn't fit anymore, she followed Will's advice and looked for something that did. I loved seeing her as she made her "new" life work for her. As the weeks went on, they got to know each other all over again and the feelings grew stronger. When the mix-up came out, Will thought she had known all along and said some really harsh things. After he had a chance to cool down, I really liked the way he made things right. There were some very emotional moments in this book that made it one of the best I've read.

[Melody Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.25 Stars*** This review contains lots and lots of spoilers. It was not an easy one to write because it's a complicated story-line.

This has a very interesting story-line with a major mistaken identity plot where the victims of a deadly plane crash are difficult to identify because of their massively severe injuries.

Everyone tells her she's Cynthia Dempsey, ex-fiancée of media mogul Will Taylor. It doesn't feel right, doesn't sound right but no one will listen to her. They just keep telling her who she is...Cynthia Dempsey! She suffered a crushed face, multiple injuries, amnesia and has suffered innumerable facial reconstructive surgeries. She simply has no idea who she really is and has no other choice than to believe what the doctors' and her family members tell her. So her only alternative is to believe she is who they say. Cynthia Dempsey was not a nice woman...not by a long shot. She was engaged to Will who she has been with since college but has been having a lengthy affair with another man she knows would be completely unacceptable to her family. Will found out and broke off the engagement. This new 'Cynthia' is distraught to find out she had an affair and cheated on Will. She just can imagine herself ever considering doing something that was so heartbreaking and cruel to another person.

Adrienne Lockhart is flying home from New York. She is a fashion designer but her boutique didn't do well and she was headed back to her childhood home to begin again. When a woman sitting next to her on the jet airliner told her she preferred the aisle seat Adrienne switched places with her. Adrienne thought it was very coincidental that she and the woman next to her could have passed for sisters. The real Cynthia had lost a good bit of weight for her wedding and her engagement ring was now fitted loosely. (She had not returned it yet to Will.) It had sailed right off her finger onto the floor but right at that time the plane began its quick descent and crash-landed. One adult woman and two children (I think) were all that survived. The woman was unrecognizable because her face was nearly destroyed. She had a multitude of damage that made it extremely difficult to for the workers to figure out who she was. They then turned to the seating charts to find out the name of the person who was in her seat. That was all they had to go on for identification purposes.

Will feels like Cynthia is still his responsibility and takes her to their home so she can heal. He is shocked as are friends and family when Cynthia's personality has done a complete 180-degree turn. She is so nice, kind, loving etc. Will is suspicious and thinks it could be an act. They begin to fall in love all over againn but who exactly is he falling in love with?

When Will sees 'Cynthia's' derriere he doesn't see the rose tattoo that he has always despised since the day she inked and no markings that would show it had been lasered away. He leaves early in the morning and goes straight to his newspaper office to dig through all the info that they have on the plane crash and discovers that she is not 'Cynthia' after all but most probably Adrienne who was a designer who was heading back to her hometown in Wisconsin. Without the tattoo she couldn't possibly be Cynthia.

And on this same day that Will heads to the office to try and figure things out about Cynthia is when 'Adrienne Lockhart' is looking through Cynthia's clothing to see if she has a blouse that would match a particular skirt of hers and to her shock she sees a shirt that rings a little bell. She pulls out the blouse and looks it over, also looking at the label when suddenly she realizes the name on the label is really her and then her memories flood back to her. When Will arrives home and he is ready to kick her to the curb because he is sure she has been playacting all this time. He finds her sick on the floor of the bathroon because she has just discovered who she really is and she was so shocked she began vomiting. She tries to tell him but typical alpha male that he is, he won't listen...why should he? He already thinks he knows everyhitn. Now, as it all hits her, she is worried about the real family and friends of Cynthia and how they were going to handle the truth believing that Cynthia was saved from wreckage of the plane, not Adrienne. Will begin yelling and shouting at her saying some things that would not be forgivable if it were me. It was worse than horrible. She is recovering from the many weeks of a hospitalized care, surviving numerous surgeries to rebuild her face and also the amnesia.

Here we go...the worst part. After Will calls her every name in the book, he kicks her out of their apartment wearing only the clothes on her back, no coat and it's winter and not a penny to her name, no ID or cell phone. She was certain she would be labeled a thief if she were to take one of Cynthia's coats or a change of clothes so she was left without anything. She walks down to where her old business used to be and is cruelly attack in her healing face by Cynthia's lover believing her to be Cynthia. She is out cold and ends up back in the hospital. Cynthia's parents are there and so is Will who is standing in the back. She immediately told the Dempseys that she remembered finally and is not their daughter. They have grown to care a lot about each other and are going to stay in touch. Here is what our allustrious hero has to say...certainly not I'm sorry to kick you out, sorry you had no money for a taxi, sorry that man brutalized you on your healing face...nope...he comments something about her being a liar and he is glad she finally told the truth to Cynthia's parents. I could have beat him with my bare hands. His grovel certainly left a lot to be desired and she quickly took him right back.

I guess you have figured out by now there was a mistake in identity and all heck brakes loose. I thought it was a solid 3.25 stars, taking off one star for the slow progression and another 3/4 star because of an unlikable hero who was very weakly redeemed. But when Will pulls his stunt and mistreats her so badly, well that did it for me and I had to remove an additional 3/4 star. There simply wasn't enough groveling and apologizing.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I am probably the only one who did not see the twist from the beginning. WHAT LIES BENEATH was a story about second chances and growing from the past.

For months Will Taylor sat in the hospital with his fiancé’s parents during Cynthia Dempsey’s recovery from a plane crash that left her with facial reconstruction surgery and amnesia. With his plans to leave her because of her unfaithfulness on delay, he watches and waits for her true attitude to come crashing back, because the sweet, caring, and totally different person in that hospital bed cannot be his ex-fiancé.

When he takes her to their penthouse, he watches as she gazes around the unfamiliar settings. When she learns of her pas with Will and his intimate leaving schedule, she pleads for forgiveness and a chance to start over. Will agrees, but can’t help having the past keep him cautious. As the days go by, Will feels his attraction to the woman who betrayed him growing. With the aid of his best friend, Alex, Will decides to wing it and see where it goes.

At her lost feeling, he encourages her to follower her heart, which leads her to fashion designing. Will begins ‘dating’ her again so they can learn about each other freely. She debuts her first fashion dress at her welcome back party thrown by her parents.

Neither had been happier until the night after great passion, Will notices she doesn’t have the notorious tattoo that he hated so much. After some researching, he discovers she’s not Cynthia, but Adrienne Lockhart, the seated passenger next to Cynthia when the plane went down.

Before he makes it home, ‘Cynthia’ finds a shirt from ‘Adrienne Lockhart Designs’ and her memories come rushing back. Will finds her on the floor and without listening to her trying to explain he throws her out, believing she purposely pretended to be Cynthia.

On her way to her true home, Cynthia’s mother wishes her well and insists on keeping in contact. Once home she receives a call from a designer she meet at her party wanting to see more of her clothes and invites her to a fundraiser fashion show to debut her clothes.

After only a few weeks Will is ready to admit defeat and realizes Adrienne was as innocent as he was in the mix up. He pushed her away and is now ready to do whatever it takes to get her back. He receives an invite to the show and makes his plan.

Amazing for Adrienne, the show goes great and her career finally looks like it will take off. Her love life also looks that way when Will comes to her backstage room and pleads his case. With his devotion of love, he pops the question with a new engagement ring made just for her.

[Widala · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could've been a four stars read if not for how fast Adrienne forgive Will.
I mean, quoting from Adrienne's own words : He’d broken her heart. Sent her out the door like a pesky vacuum salesman without a dollar in her pocket. She couldn’t allow herself to trust someone who could turn on her so quickly. And there was no hope for love without trust. So what did they have left?
Adrienne's non existing backbone apparently.
Because just as soon as Will throw her a bouquet of pink rose and a couple of apologetic line, she melt into a puddle of forgiveness.
And what's with the obligatory proposal? Unnecessary at that stage of relationship in my opinion.
The epilogue was the worst. It was written as an article covering Adrienne and Will wedding. It went on and on in a very painstakingly details of the dresses, the food, the decorations... which I just couldn't care less.
It would be better in my opinion if the last chapter was about Will's groveling and the epilogue was the proposal...

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Say what you like about them, I just love amnesia stories. In this one we have it compounded with mistaken identity when failed fashion designer, Adrienne changes seats with Cynthia Dempsey on the plane. One plane crash later, some plastic surgery and a head injury further along, we have Cynthia Dempsey restored to her family, her fiancé and her trust fund lifestyle.

Cynthia doesn't feel comfortable in her skin, and from what is said, she wasn't a very nice person. In fact her fiancé seems to hate her despite the very obvious chemical reaction between them. Their engagement had been broken immediately before the crash and he's only sticking by her out of a sense of duty and with due regard for a business deal with Cynthia's father.

The developing relationship between Will and his rejuvenated fiancée is quite sweet with the whole Autumn in New York ambiance. Both are striving in their professional life, Will to learn balance and Cynthia, rejecting her old career in advertising, finds herself designing clothing and doing it well.

All is complicated by Cynthia's former lover, Nigel and of course the bombshell that awaits when she recovers her memory.

I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading the linked book His Lovers Little Secret (I think).

[Tia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cynthia and Adrienne were on a plane together, when Cynthia wouldn't stop whining about her seat, Adrienne switched with her, only for the plane to crash and Adrienne to survive with amnesia. Everyone thought Adrienne was Cynthia including Cynthia's fiance Will Taylor but when he finds out she's not Cynthia but in fact Adrienne, he confronts her and says she's been lying the whole time. Adrienne has fallen in love with Will but she thought she was Cynthia, when her memory returns, her heart is shattered.

I've read a book very similar to this but I have to admit this was WAY better than the other one. It had so much emotional strength in it, the characters constantly evolved. I quite enjoyed it!

[Joyfully Reviewed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia Dempsey wakes up in the hospital surrounded by people she doesn’t know. Apparently, she had been in a plane accident where only three people survived. After several surgeries, she is starting to look normal. However, nothing appears familiar to her. The people that visit her every day claiming to be her parents, the fiancé that sits beside her bed . . . nothing is familiar, not even her own name. Cynthia must figure out how to go on from this point with no point of reference to her past. A friend offers her advice about forgetting who you were, just be yourself, and so Cynthia determines to take that road.

Will Taylor, owner of his own newspaper, feels that he can’t kick the cold, selfish Cynthia out of his life until she completely recovers even though she had betrayed him repeatedly, walked all over his heart, and was extremely spiteful and bitter to everyone else. He feels that she has been through enough by surviving the horrific plane crash and needs someone to lean on for a while. However, things just don’t seem to be the same with Cynthia, and he’s not just thinking physically. It’s this inner quality that seems warmer, more compassionate and caring than before. Will is afraid to risk his heart again with Cynthia as he believes that once her memory returns, then so will the old Cynthia. Can he take the chance?

What Lies Beneath is a fascinating story showcasing the deeper side of a love. It delves past the exterior thereby linking Will and Cynthia in a different way than they had been before. Because for Will, the surface and the label point to the pain that he had endured at her hands and yet the inner core of Cynthia seems to have been renewed. Will struggles with the whole once bitten twice shy scenario, yet he still wants to get to know the new Cynthia in What Lies Beneath and to discover her hidden depths that he never knew existed before.

Both Will and Cynthia embark on a mystery to discover the truth in What Lies Beneath and that was just as intriguing as the whole plot of the story. I truly enjoyed watching Will and Cynthia fall in love, again. I also liked the whole premise of Will working from a point of pain and yet continually trying to overlook it because it was Cynthia who caused the pain for him in What Lies Beneath.

I thoroughly enjoyed What Lies Beneath and could absolutely understand Will’s feelings of betrayal when the truth finally came out. Yes, I wanted to smack him and tell him to listen as well, but I knew that he was operating on a painful discovery. Will had approached the whole relationship from a point of pain and, for him, his own reality, but he did find that things weren’t matching what he believed to be the truth. He was waiting for the old Cynthia to reappear and he teetered in the balance as he waited so that when the truth came out, he reacted instead of acting in accordance with the situation in What Lies Beneath.

I also felt for Cynthia as she knew things didn’t feel right, but the truth was hidden beneath the surface and she couldn’t get to it…yet. But when she did, she had an emotional trauma as well, and she still only wanted to rest in the comfort of Will’s arms while banking on what they had built already in What Lies Beneath. It was a clever little device to make it all click for her as well, and I applaud Andrea Laurence for the use of it.

I totally blame Ms. Laurence for making me tear-up just reading about the acceptance that Cynthia received from some secondary characters when the truth was finally revealed in What Lies Beneath. Yet, I completely understood their point in being there to help her through her darkest hours and getting to know the new Cynthia in What Lies Beneath. I joyfully recommend What Lies Beneath, if only to read a new spin on an old story. I am very glad that I took the risk on this new offer when What Lies Beneath came up for review.


Reviewed by Vanessa for Joyfully Reviewed

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read the back cover synopsis for this book, I was instantly reminded of a book with a very similar plot, The Other Laura by Sheryl Lynn. I was intrigued, and just had to read this story. I'm so glad I did.

Adrienne's dream to be successful New York fashion designer is shattered. On her flight to return home to Wisconsin, she exchanges her seat with a woman who's irritated at having to sit by the window in coach. A sudden loud boom, and the next thing Adrienne remembers is waking in the hospital disoriented, not knowing her name, and having those around her calling her Cynthia. Following a series of facial reconstructive surgeries, newly implanted teeth, the woman in the hospital is a new woman in more ways than just the physical. This woman is caring and considerate, the woman known as Cynthia had been self serving and entitled. Watching the transformation is Cynthia's fiance, Will. He finds himself enchanted with this new woman, and fights his bitter memories of the one who had betrayed him and he had come to despise. The new Cynthia is appalled at her past life, and vows to start fresh. She knows that it will be a long road to win Will's heart again, but she's determined to try. When her memories return, she is shocked to realize they do not belong to Cynthia.

This is Ms. Laurence's debut. She has a fresh, pleasing voice that breathes life into her characters. Will is a hero any woman will swoon for, and Adrienne is a heroine that is easy to relate to. I enjoyed very much the amnesia aspect to this story (my favourite theme) and thought it very well done. The epilogue hints at another romance in the bud, and I'm eagerly looking forward to reading Alex's story.

[Paula Legate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was a beautifully written love story, with a great plot, and some shocking twist along the way!

Cynthia wakes up in the hospital after a plane crash. She has had several surgeries including plastic surgery. She also has amnesia.
When she wakes up, her fiancé Will is there, along with her family. She doesn’t know any of them. Once she is released from the hospital, she doesn’t remember what she likes or dislikes. It was exciting to see Cynthia, and Will trying new things, and her appreciating and enjoying all the little things in life. Before the plane crash Will was going to break up with Cynthia because she was cheating on him. He won’t leave her now, but he struggles to trust the new Cynthia again. He doesn’t want to give his heart away again, but slowly day by day he falls in love with Cynthia.

This is an exciting Romance with powerful emotions, and suspense. I’m so thankful I took the time to read this book!

[Saly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has amnesia and a case of mistaken identity, the heroine's who is mistaken for the daughter of a wealthy guy. The hero is quite shocked to see the changes in her and disbelieving, after all she cheated on him and now she seems like such a nice person.
The heroine finds everything new and somehow the life they said was hers doesn't seem to fit or be her's, of course it isn't, these two fall in love, truth comes out, he thinks she tricked him, she goes away and then they get together. A decent read.

[Kelly Seibold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorite amnesiac books! After serving in a plane crash, she has no memory and only has what ppl tell her is true, even if it doesn't feel quite right. Her Fiance' is aloof, but eventually warms up to her, and she falls in love with a stranger. So good.

[Christa Runge · Rating 4 out of 5]

What Lies Beneath by Andrea Laurence

Cynthia Dempsey was in a horrific plane accident that left her in the hospital for several weeks. She had to have her whole face reconstructed. But the plane accident also left her with no memory. Even her fiancé Will Taylor, who ended their engagement before her accident is willing to give them another chance because Cynthia is now like another person. But will he be able to guard his heart when she gets her memory back?

This was Andrea Laurence’s first book and I for one am so glad Harlequin Desire snatched her up so I can keep reading her stories.

[LoveRomance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great new author for HQN! I really enjoyed this book -- no loose ends or awkward dialogue as I've often found with other new authors. Will definitely watch for other titles by Andrea Laurence.

Great twist on usual amnesia story line.

[Jacqueline J]

Amnesia story. This time the heroine is mistaken for someone else after a plane crash. This was a decent enough amnesia story for us aficionados. The heroine was super sweet and the hero here was really a bit of a non entity. He did have one fun asshat moment.

[Bona Caballero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Esta novelita ganó el Premio Romantic Times al mejor primer romance genérico. Sorprende que sea una primera novela, porque está bastante bien.
El planteamiento de esta novela recuerda, inevitablemente, a Imagen en el espejo de Sandra Brown: dos mujeres parecida, un accidente de avión, una superviviente a quien todos toman por la insoportable Cynthia Dempsey.
Lo que la diferencia de la novela de Brown es que aquí la muchacha tiene amnesia, uno de mis tópicos favoritos. No le cuadra nada, pero intenta adaptarse a esta vida extraña, incluido un prometido guapetón y rico, Will Taylor. A Will le encanta esta nueva Cynthia, tan cálida y agradable. Tiene miedo de que estos cambios sean una especie de efecto colateral del trauma, que desaparecerá cuando ella recupere la memoria. Pero tú lo que temes es otra cosa: qué pasará cuando él descubra que, en realidad, ella es otra persona.
Historia sencilla y cortita, una lectura fácil para una tarde. A veces, no necesitas nada más.

[Pravana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly good for a first time author.

I read this book only because there was a reference made to Cynthia Dempsey in another book by the same author in that book’s foreword.
Little Secrets: Secretly Pregnant

[Lori Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

a Lovely, Lovely story worth reading

[Sara HarlequinJunkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Blog: HarlequinJunkie Romance Reviews

What lies beneath is a fast paced emotionally satisfying read. This book had a unique spin on the “Amnesia trope” with the added dimension of “mistaken identity”.

Heroine wakes up in the hospital with no memory following a deadly plane crash and a series of facial reconstructive surgery to be greeted by her family and aloof fiancé Will all of whom are strangers to her.

Will takes Cynthia home to recuperate, where she discovers that Will had actually broken off the engagement before her trip and that he is no longer in love with her and hasn’t been for a while however Will decides to support her during her on going recovery.

Cynthia is no longer the cold hard hearted bitch she used to be, she is warm and loving; Will realizes he actually likes spending time with this new Cynthia but is also afraid that her memory will return and she will revert back to being her old hurtful selfish self. He has been hurt before and wants to stir clear from all the resulting heartache.

There’s more heartache and drama that follows and tares Will and Cynthia apart and threatens their HEA. All of which you will need to read the book to find out more about :)

What I liked about this story is that when Will and Cynthia decide to give their relationship another chance they don't fall into bed right away, they decide to start over, date and get to know each other all over again taking it a day at a time; As the story progresses you can see Will work through his feelings for Cynthia and start to fall in love again.

What Lies Beneath is an emotional read, with great characters and an engaging storyline. This was Andrea Laurence’s first book and I have to say it was pretty impressive.

[Kira Sinclair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic debut!

[Vaishnavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and short and cute read! I love her collection of dresses and her love for fashion :D

[Penney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author for me she is brilliant! I loved this book, the characters were great. I highly recommend reading it. I'm looking forward to more by her!

[Márcia L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horrible bastard for the way he treated her, I don't by this kind of love. After everything she went through and she was sick when he kicked her out and was attacked and he never said sorry, when he went to the hospital the only thing important is that she told the truth about her identity to the parents of the decesead, he didn't care if she die or lived. If she thought she was a terrible liar, how did she the master of deception, make up your mind you SOB.
SOB. He should die.
I HATE 90% of the so called Hs, they are pure trash.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story and its premise. Main characters were very engaging but Will needed to grovel more before he was forgiven, in my humble opinion. I've been reading this series out-of-order and have encountered some spoilers because of that, but it hasn't diminished my enjoyment of any of the books.

[Wioletta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cynthia (Adrienne) wake up with amnesia in hospital after plane crash. She spend few weeks in hospital talking to her parents and her fiancée Will. Will is surprised the way Cynthia act, she is nice to everyone, not Ice Queen, he remembers before accident. Do they have a chance to start everything again? Loved this story.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me gustó mucho la historia, y cómo a pesar de ser una novela corta, la autora pudo solucionar todo.
Sencillo, sin tantas complicaciones, pero con una buena historia, muy creíble, aunque desde el inicio sospeché la realidad...
Y he de decir que sirvió mucho para despejarme entre lecturas intensas :D

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful mystery interwoven with this beautiful love story. Well written with lots of twists and turns not expected but all make sense when story ends. Loved the compassionate Andrienne and too quick to judge, Bill.

[Judy W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grade C+. Pretty predictable and too similar to "Mirror Image" by Sandra Brown. Doesn't hold up well to the comparison.

[Kettyco · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Fue predecible desde el capítulo dos, así que no fue sorprendente hasta que se descubrió el misterio.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. I wasn't crazy about the Hero's reaction towards the end, or how quickly the Heroine forgives him, but it was still a good read.

[Johnathan Royal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

First book. The chemistry, the career choices, the drama but love is still there. Memory loss affairs and mixed identity makes a great book.