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The Study Room #1
The Evidence of Us
Lila Jennings thought she was done with the Mayfair murder case after using it to ace her grad school thesis. But when another murder shakes the infamous family a year later, she can’t resist diving back in.
To uncover the truth, she’ll need help from Theo Grayson—the brooding professor and former defense attorney who’d probably rather eat glass than revisit the case that ruined his legal career. Theo knows the case inside out—better than anyone—and with the eerie similarities between the two murders, there’s no one better to dig into this with Lila than him.
Lila is brilliant, determined, and unafraid to challenge Theo’s maddeningly skeptical attitude. Theo, on the other hand, would prefer to keep his head down and his past buried. But when the Mayfairs—who have a connection to Lila’s past—invite her to stay at their secluded estate, Lila hatches a pose as a couple to get inside and investigate without raising suspicion.
The Mayfair family might seem eccentric and charming, but their sprawling estate hides darker secrets than Lila anticipated. What she really doesn’t expect is for the fake dating part to feel a little too real. Between late-night brainstorming, stolen glances, and close calls, Lila starts to realize there’s more at stake than just cracking the case.
Perfect for fans of Knives Out and Only Murders in the Building, The Evidence of Us is a twisty, witty romcom full of murder, mystery, and just the right amount of awkward flirting.
To uncover the truth, she’ll need help from Theo Grayson—the brooding professor and former defense attorney who’d probably rather eat glass than revisit the case that ruined his legal career. Theo knows the case inside out—better than anyone—and with the eerie similarities between the two murders, there’s no one better to dig into this with Lila than him.
Lila is brilliant, determined, and unafraid to challenge Theo’s maddeningly skeptical attitude. Theo, on the other hand, would prefer to keep his head down and his past buried. But when the Mayfairs—who have a connection to Lila’s past—invite her to stay at their secluded estate, Lila hatches a pose as a couple to get inside and investigate without raising suspicion.
The Mayfair family might seem eccentric and charming, but their sprawling estate hides darker secrets than Lila anticipated. What she really doesn’t expect is for the fake dating part to feel a little too real. Between late-night brainstorming, stolen glances, and close calls, Lila starts to realize there’s more at stake than just cracking the case.
Perfect for fans of Knives Out and Only Murders in the Building, The Evidence of Us is a twisty, witty romcom full of murder, mystery, and just the right amount of awkward flirting.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
August 29, 2026
DNF at 38%
I don’t DNF, but I genuinely could not get through this.
My problem with this was that the writing was just bad. Tonewise, it trying way too hard to be quirky and relatable, but it all landed completely flat for me. It was entertaining at points, but the writing style made it genuinely difficult to get through.
The whole thing is written like this, and I’m not here to make any baseless accusations, but it sounds like what it sounds like. And that’s all I’ll say about that.
Genuinely, who even speaks let alone texts like this? And this is the entire book.
I don’t DNF, but I genuinely could not get through this.
My problem with this was that the writing was just bad. Tonewise, it trying way too hard to be quirky and relatable, but it all landed completely flat for me. It was entertaining at points, but the writing style made it genuinely difficult to get through.
It doesn’t feel rushed. It doesn’t feel overdue. It feels inevitable.
He lifts me onto the desk, scattering papers.
Professionalism? Never heard of her.
The whole thing is written like this, and I’m not here to make any baseless accusations, but it sounds like what it sounds like. And that’s all I’ll say about that.
Genuinely, who even speaks let alone texts like this? And this is the entire book.
Lila: One minute. Two, max. Then the couch gave up on life and he was forced to come back to bed radiating defeat.
Lila: We don’t even need a menu. We already know I’m about to dine on pure dysfunction.
December 21, 2025
5 ⭐ 2.5 🌶️
I've read this book front to back, side to side and back to front a few times now and I swear it gets better every time. I fell so hard and so fast for these characters and the way Genna speaks on grief is unfathomably beautiful. All of this intertwined within a merdur mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end while you occasionally laugh your butt off.
The way this man Y E A R N S. Holy heck. We get Theo's POV in third because the man's got secrets... But it fits so perfectly within Lila's first person POV it's practically seamless. I loved the subtle switch and getting his inner thoughts had me so dang swoony. There's tension upon tension between these two, but when that dam breaks they are so hot. Lila's got certain... Proclivaties... And Theo is happy to oblige.
We get a sneak peek of Take This To Your Grave and I'm so excited for what's in store for us next. Thank you Genna for the copy!!
Beta Review: The banter, the tension and the spice were all off the charts. But the emotional impact this story makes will linger in your soul. I can't wait for y'all to meet Theo, Lila and Co.
In full disclosure, I'm Genna's friend and personal assistant, but these opinions are very much my own.
I've read this book front to back, side to side and back to front a few times now and I swear it gets better every time. I fell so hard and so fast for these characters and the way Genna speaks on grief is unfathomably beautiful. All of this intertwined within a merdur mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end while you occasionally laugh your butt off.
The way this man Y E A R N S. Holy heck. We get Theo's POV in third because the man's got secrets... But it fits so perfectly within Lila's first person POV it's practically seamless. I loved the subtle switch and getting his inner thoughts had me so dang swoony. There's tension upon tension between these two, but when that dam breaks they are so hot. Lila's got certain... Proclivaties... And Theo is happy to oblige.
We get a sneak peek of Take This To Your Grave and I'm so excited for what's in store for us next. Thank you Genna for the copy!!
Beta Review: The banter, the tension and the spice were all off the charts. But the emotional impact this story makes will linger in your soul. I can't wait for y'all to meet Theo, Lila and Co.
In full disclosure, I'm Genna's friend and personal assistant, but these opinions are very much my own.
May 14, 2026
2.7⭐️
I tried but I didn’t really enjoy this and it was boring for most of it.
The romance between the MCs was okay-ish but I felt that something was missing, esp when they talked about things that happened between them in the past 🤷🏻♀️, probably because the whole relationship building happened off-page and we were only given a brief mention of it without any details at all. Also, I didn’t understand why they couldn’t be together and ended up avoiding each other for a year! I didn’t get any clarity or maybe it was mentioned very briefly too.
Anyway, this book wasn’t for me.
______
Book info:
- Dual POV (mostly from the h’s pov) / (h’s pov - first person , H’s pov - third person)
- Fake dating
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Mystery
Safety:
Safety is good
- No info on the MCs’ past
- The H has been celibate since he met the h a year ago and the h has been celibate for years
- No OM (just some jealousy moment from the H)
- No ow/cheating/scene with other people
- HFN (in a relationship)
I tried but I didn’t really enjoy this and it was boring for most of it.
The romance between the MCs was okay-ish but I felt that something was missing, esp when they talked about things that happened between them in the past 🤷🏻♀️, probably because the whole relationship building happened off-page and we were only given a brief mention of it without any details at all. Also, I didn’t understand why they couldn’t be together and ended up avoiding each other for a year! I didn’t get any clarity or maybe it was mentioned very briefly too.
Anyway, this book wasn’t for me.
______
Book info:
- Dual POV (mostly from the h’s pov) / (h’s pov - first person , H’s pov - third person)
- Fake dating
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Mystery
Safety:
Safety is good
- No info on the MCs’ past
- The H has been celibate since he met the h a year ago and the h has been celibate for years
- No OM (just some jealousy moment from the H)
- No ow/cheating/scene with other people
- HFN (in a relationship)
June 27, 2026
2.5🌟
me ha costado una barbaridad conectar, la resolución no está mal, pero a la vez me ha parecido muy sacada de la manga y ni siquiera entiendo en qué momento llegan a esa conclusión, de un momento a otro lo sueltan y ya. muy meh, disappointed porque me esperaba algo mucho mejor
me ha costado una barbaridad conectar, la resolución no está mal, pero a la vez me ha parecido muy sacada de la manga y ni siquiera entiendo en qué momento llegan a esa conclusión, de un momento a otro lo sueltan y ya. muy meh, disappointed porque me esperaba algo mucho mejor
August 6, 2026
I stopped reading at the 18% mark, I couldn't get past the feeling this was written by ai. The plot was interesting but it wasn't executed well and that's disappointing.
March 2, 2026
God this was GOOOOOOOD!! I seriously ate it up. There’s nothing more I love than murder & a love story and this book delivered that TEN FOLD!
Lila became a professor after doing her dissertation on a case that was too easily closed. Her professor & former fling, Theo, was a defense attorney on that same case but ended up losing and moved over to teaching & was present when she was doing her presentation. They also work at the same college….and she thinks he hates her. Now, there’s another death in the SAME family and her best friend (the daughter of the woman who died) invites her to stay over. So she gets herself a fake boyfriend (hello sexy professor Theo) and is set to go to find some answers!! The twists were so fun & I loved the investigating & the characters in the story. The mayfairs are something else.
The dynamic between Lila & Theo is EVERYTHING. I was laughing so hard because Lila is so fun and wild & a genius, and Theo is grumpy, dry & very much a rule follower…until he isnt heheheh they are such opposites of eachother but truly so perfect for one another. Like the yearning Theo does in the story had my fingers cramping from how much I highlighted on my kindle!!!!!!!
Highlyyyyyy recommend.
Type:ebook
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes:
Forced proximity
Fake dating
Grumpy x sunshine
Only one bed
YEARNINGGGG
Lila became a professor after doing her dissertation on a case that was too easily closed. Her professor & former fling, Theo, was a defense attorney on that same case but ended up losing and moved over to teaching & was present when she was doing her presentation. They also work at the same college….and she thinks he hates her. Now, there’s another death in the SAME family and her best friend (the daughter of the woman who died) invites her to stay over. So she gets herself a fake boyfriend (hello sexy professor Theo) and is set to go to find some answers!! The twists were so fun & I loved the investigating & the characters in the story. The mayfairs are something else.
The dynamic between Lila & Theo is EVERYTHING. I was laughing so hard because Lila is so fun and wild & a genius, and Theo is grumpy, dry & very much a rule follower…until he isnt heheheh they are such opposites of eachother but truly so perfect for one another. Like the yearning Theo does in the story had my fingers cramping from how much I highlighted on my kindle!!!!!!!
Highlyyyyyy recommend.
Type:ebook
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Tropes:
Forced proximity
Fake dating
Grumpy x sunshine
Only one bed
YEARNINGGGG
August 17, 2026
I usually try to give books at least 20-25% before DNF, but I feel like I’m missing a huge part of the story already?? Life is too short to read books that don’t immediately hook me. Sorry not sorry.
May 14, 2026
This book is an absolute masterpiece.
Let me start at the beginning. I begged the author to be on her ARC team to read book 2 - before I realized there was a book 1 - you can see the full story here.
But in order to be on the ARC team for book 2, I had to show my review for book 1. So I downloaded book 1 immediately. And I am so glad that I did.
I read this book in approximately 26 hours with a full-time job, 2 kids and after school activities. I read every possible minute and even then it didn't feel like enough time.
The FMC studied the Mayfair murder case for her grad school thesis. The MMC was the defense lawyer on the case who lost and is now a broody professor with a muddled past given his major lose on the case.
But something never sat right with either of them about this case. It was a little too cut and dry. Now here they are 4 years later and there's another murder with eerily similarities.
Lila devises a plan to go to the Mayfair estate since she is somewhat connected to the family, and ensures that the only other person who knows the case as much as her comes with her. But how can she show up with the defense attorney who lost?
As her fake boyfriend...of course!
There's that...there's one bed🛌....there's a freaking pierced you-know-what🍆. All the top tier tropes.
This is a case of who-dun-it with two of the best forensic scientists/investigators around. There's angst. There's tension. There's lots of pent up feelings from years past that are coming to fruition in this forced proximity contemporary romance.
This book is everything you could want and more. Genna Black is a goddess.
Let me start at the beginning. I begged the author to be on her ARC team to read book 2 - before I realized there was a book 1 - you can see the full story here.
But in order to be on the ARC team for book 2, I had to show my review for book 1. So I downloaded book 1 immediately. And I am so glad that I did.
I read this book in approximately 26 hours with a full-time job, 2 kids and after school activities. I read every possible minute and even then it didn't feel like enough time.
The FMC studied the Mayfair murder case for her grad school thesis. The MMC was the defense lawyer on the case who lost and is now a broody professor with a muddled past given his major lose on the case.
But something never sat right with either of them about this case. It was a little too cut and dry. Now here they are 4 years later and there's another murder with eerily similarities.
Lila devises a plan to go to the Mayfair estate since she is somewhat connected to the family, and ensures that the only other person who knows the case as much as her comes with her. But how can she show up with the defense attorney who lost?
As her fake boyfriend...of course!
There's that...there's one bed🛌....there's a freaking pierced you-know-what🍆. All the top tier tropes.
This is a case of who-dun-it with two of the best forensic scientists/investigators around. There's angst. There's tension. There's lots of pent up feelings from years past that are coming to fruition in this forced proximity contemporary romance.
This book is everything you could want and more. Genna Black is a goddess.
October 8, 2026
Kind of an Ali Hazelwood knock of style of writing but a little more cringe (but the overarching plot was good). If you can breeze past the heavy-handed millennial quirkiness of it was a pretty good romance and mystery novel. I did enjoy mystery element and though I had my suspicions about the identity of the murder, the book did truly keep me guessing until the reveal. There were a decent amount of plot holes and characters doing things that didn’t make sense? (If you’re staying with your grieving friend why do you barely spend any time with her?) It was good enough that I’m willing to read the second stand alone in the series!
August 5, 2026
Omg this was just so good
September 12, 2026
all that build up just for people to not even be incrminated >:(
September 2, 2026
2/5 stars
This was a fantastic idea but not so much a fantastic execution. I agree with those saying it should be marketed more as a mystery with a romance sub plot.
The writing for me felt really reliant on basic tropes that were overly convenient. One bed, instant angst, quip-heavy dialogue - it just didn't feel organic.
Somehow both of the plot points managed to get lost in each other, with the developing romance being interrupted by their sneaky investigation into the murders within a wealthy family, both story lines felt anticlimactic.
The silver lining is that the premise was really fun, the dialogue made me laugh at points and the chemistry between the main characters was strong. The foundation was there even if it didn't really land for me.
This was a fantastic idea but not so much a fantastic execution. I agree with those saying it should be marketed more as a mystery with a romance sub plot.
The writing for me felt really reliant on basic tropes that were overly convenient. One bed, instant angst, quip-heavy dialogue - it just didn't feel organic.
Somehow both of the plot points managed to get lost in each other, with the developing romance being interrupted by their sneaky investigation into the murders within a wealthy family, both story lines felt anticlimactic.
The silver lining is that the premise was really fun, the dialogue made me laugh at points and the chemistry between the main characters was strong. The foundation was there even if it didn't really land for me.
April 26, 2026
this was not worth my time or a review lol
August 24, 2026
A funny fake dating murder mystery with great character chemistry and a slow burn that was really burning. I devoured it.
October 30, 2026
10/10.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. 5 f**king stars
To say obsessed is putting this lightly. I could not have loved this book more.
I was absolutely hooked. On them. On the mystery. On the murders. On the friendships.
I love fake dating while investigating a string of gruesome deaths. This is Love Hypothesis' broody Adam Driver turned CSI broody Adam Driver.
And let's talk about the tropes. They were in full effect and did not disappoint at all:
●Friends to enemies to friends to lovers
●Fake dating while investigating a string of gruesome murders
●THERES ONLY ONE BED?!?!?!?!
●TOUCH HER AND DIE?!
●(and my personal favourite) He finishes in his pants
This book has everything. I could not put it down. Every second had me wishing my eyes and brain could move faster so I could consume it faster. Every character was so well done. Calla and Serena are my absolute favourite "off screen" comic relief. And then everything wraps up in a way I didn't see coming but was absolutely perfect.
Well, I'm off to go read book 2.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟. 5 f**king stars
To say obsessed is putting this lightly. I could not have loved this book more.
I was absolutely hooked. On them. On the mystery. On the murders. On the friendships.
I love fake dating while investigating a string of gruesome deaths. This is Love Hypothesis' broody Adam Driver turned CSI broody Adam Driver.
And let's talk about the tropes. They were in full effect and did not disappoint at all:
●Friends to enemies to friends to lovers
●Fake dating while investigating a string of gruesome murders
●THERES ONLY ONE BED?!?!?!?!
●TOUCH HER AND DIE?!
●(and my personal favourite) He finishes in his pants
This book has everything. I could not put it down. Every second had me wishing my eyes and brain could move faster so I could consume it faster. Every character was so well done. Calla and Serena are my absolute favourite "off screen" comic relief. And then everything wraps up in a way I didn't see coming but was absolutely perfect.
Well, I'm off to go read book 2.
April 20, 2026
I really enjoyed this one! It is a good mix of murder, unravelling mysteries (and feelings), dealing with grief and, of course, romance.
I love the FMC. She is whip-smart, funny and coming to terms with the loss of her best friend. The group chat with her online friends is amazing!
The MMC is the grumpy to the FMC's sunshine. He is smart, broody, tall, built, and...um... hung. He is also irrevocably in love with her.
The mystery that is unravelled kept me guessing the whole way through. I'm glad I didnt guess correctly early on like I usually do. And it brought up some ethics and moral questions to ponder as well.
I will probably read the next book (even though I wasn't a fan of Bear)
Series: Book 1 in an interconnected series of standalones. Book 2 is releasing in December 2026.
HEA: Yes
Spice: 2.5 🌶
I love the FMC. She is whip-smart, funny and coming to terms with the loss of her best friend. The group chat with her online friends is amazing!
The MMC is the grumpy to the FMC's sunshine. He is smart, broody, tall, built, and...um... hung. He is also irrevocably in love with her.
The mystery that is unravelled kept me guessing the whole way through. I'm glad I didnt guess correctly early on like I usually do. And it brought up some ethics and moral questions to ponder as well.
I will probably read the next book (even though I wasn't a fan of Bear)
Series: Book 1 in an interconnected series of standalones. Book 2 is releasing in December 2026.
HEA: Yes
Spice: 2.5 🌶
October 8, 2026
This had all the things to be good but there were just soooooo many words. Like double the amount needed? And there kept being things brought to that didn’t really seem to matter again? Baryns dog? Why was he relavent? Same with the bondage comment??? Just didn’t add anything to the story. She was trying to be funny like a lot and it was never actually funny?
August 23, 2026
Strong case, slow burn and kinda inside jokes. Maybe too many family members in the family of crime. I actually liked her writing buddies even though it felt like a lot of people to remember at the beginning.
September 26, 2026
A pretty standard KU romance reading experience for me -- I enjoyed this well enough, but felt like so much of the character development between the two main characters happened off page and was not well-explained enough that I needed more!
November 9, 2026
I had the best time reading this book. It was interesting, the characters were GREAT, and it was funny. I thought it was very Ali Hazelwood. A man who yearns? Sign me up every single time.
Wait, I had to come back to add that this book truly was so good. I loved it. I loved Theo so much. All around great time. Ok. I think I’m done now.
Wait, I had to come back to add that this book truly was so good. I loved it. I loved Theo so much. All around great time. Ok. I think I’m done now.
July 6, 2026
Uma leitura rápida e nada complicada considerando o tema, um sloooooooowwww burn que valeu a pena! A parte do mistério também foi interessante mas nada que tirasse o fôlego.
August 18, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
August 23, 2026
“Professionalism? Never heard of her.”
Was it groundbreaking or realistic? Hardly.
Was it a silly goofy time? Mostly.
It’s basically millennial, horny Agatha Christie. I wonder if she’d approve.
Was it groundbreaking or realistic? Hardly.
Was it a silly goofy time? Mostly.
It’s basically millennial, horny Agatha Christie. I wonder if she’d approve.
September 29, 2026
dnf @ 13%
what a snooze fest 🥱🥱
what a snooze fest 🥱🥱
September 9, 2026
i don’t want to make any baseless assumptions, but i do have to point out that this book reads a certain way…. make of that what you will. also, why is one character’s pov in first person, while the other is in third?? huh??
August 22, 2026
predecible? un poquito
me gustó toda la vibe oscura que tenía la mansión por las noches.
la escena de la heladera? espectacular
pero como vas a hacer un doble pov y que el de él esté narrado en tercera persona??? completamente criminal. para eso ni lo hagas.
me gustó toda la vibe oscura que tenía la mansión por las noches.
la escena de la heladera? espectacular
pero como vas a hacer un doble pov y que el de él esté narrado en tercera persona??? completamente criminal. para eso ni lo hagas.
March 15, 2026
What a fantastic murder mystery romcom combination!
The Evidence of Us had me invested from page one! I enjoyed Lila and Theo's banter so much - it added so much to the tension. I never thought I'd be thinking jUST KISS ALREADY during a murder mystery, but here we are. This was Knives Out meets Only Murders in the Building with a hint of Nancy Drew. Only Nancy and Ned wish they had the chemistry that these two had.
Cannot WAIT for book two to see where this series goes!
The Evidence of Us had me invested from page one! I enjoyed Lila and Theo's banter so much - it added so much to the tension. I never thought I'd be thinking jUST KISS ALREADY during a murder mystery, but here we are. This was Knives Out meets Only Murders in the Building with a hint of Nancy Drew. Only Nancy and Ned wish they had the chemistry that these two had.
Cannot WAIT for book two to see where this series goes!
September 21, 2026
I found this book through an ad on Instagram. The description sounded so interesting that I immediately grabbed it. Y’all the WITTY BANTER alone had me loving this book. I highlighted more dry humor to chuckle about later than I have ever highlighted anything. The mystery was great and kept me guessing, but the sarcastic back and forth between the main characters and her besties kept me totally hooked! Cannot wait to grab another book from this author. We need more books like this!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews