Dark Passenger

by Lisa Renee Jones

Dark Passenger combines the first explosive Lilah Love duet-- Murder Notes and Murder Girl —into one pulse-pounding volume that launched one of Lisa Renee Jones’s most addictive series.

Meet Lilah FBI profiler, rule-breaker, and the obsession of every serial killer she hunts. Brilliant, shockingly direct, and unapologetically in a love/hate relationship with a drug lord's son, Lilah doesn’t just chase monsters—she understands them far more than anyone around here knows. When bodies begin to pile up and the clues turn personal, Lilah is forced to confront a truth she’s spent her life the darkness she uses to catch killers may be the very thing that makes her one.

As the case spirals deeper into psychological warfare, Lilah’s past collides with the present, pulling her into a deadly game of control, desire, and deception. Enter Kane Mendez—dangerous, magnetic, and tied to a criminal legacy that threatens everything Lilah stands for. Their connection is explosive, forbidden, and impossible to walk away from, even as enemies close in and secrets refuse to stay buried.

Dark, sharp, and relentlessly gripping, Dark Passenger is perfect for readers who crave morally gray heroines, high-stakes crime, twisted romance, and stories that blur the line between justice and vengeance.

Once you enter Lilah Love’s world, the darkness never lets you go.

Genres: Suspense, Dark Romance

Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2026

About the author

Author also writes as L.R. Jones

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense. Sara’s character is strong, flawed, complex, and sexy - a modern girl we all can identify with.

In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, she has published many successful titles. The TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa is presently working on a dark, edgy new series, Dirty Money, for St. Martin's Press.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.

Reviews

[Kim McFall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lilah Love ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

An FBI profiling badass with a shattered moral compass, a lethal mind and a f*ck-you attitude

She plays by her own rules.

She understands the darkness because she carries it with her.

The inescapable ghost of her past has finally collided with a jagged, lethal present.

When the world is a gallery of secrets and lies, who do you turn to?

When the plot is this addictive, one book isn’t enough. Dark Passengers is 2 books in 1!!

I can’t wait to read the next!!

[Bookarazzi Babe- Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️
Dark Passenger by Lisa Renee Jones is a dark, romantic suspense packed with nonstop tension. FBI profiler Lilah Love hunts serial killers while battling her own secrets and navigating a forbidden, electric connection with Kane Mendez, a drug lord’s son. Their chemistry is 🔥. Perfect for readers who love morally gray characters, high-stakes crime, and stories that blur the line between justice and vengeance.
Thank you to Lisa Renee Jones for the arc opportunity!

[Chellsvibes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Dark Passenger this week and really enjoyed it.
Lilah Love is such a strong and layered character. There is a darker side to her that makes the story feel more intense.

One of the things that stood out to me most was how her past continues to follow her. There are moments that feel like they are replaying in her mind, especially tied to something violent that happened before, and it adds a constant layer of tension to the story.

The pacing pulled me in right away, and having both books together made it feel nonstop. Every answer seemed to lead to more questions, and just when I thought I had a sense of where things were going, it shifted again.
This is dark, psychological, and very character driven. If you like morally gray characters, layered suspense, and stories that get inside your head, this one delivers.

I cannot wait to read more about Lilah Love.

I received this as an ARC, and these are my honest thoughts.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTk1E28Af/

For readers who love their books dangerous and their shelves stunning. The Lilah Love special editions by Lisa Renee Jones are now available for pre-order with foiled covers and sprayed edges: https://www.lisareneejones.com/lilah-...

[Ginny · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75⭐️ I was disappointed with this one… the idea of an FBI profiler with a dark side trying to uncover some deep dark secrets was such a cool idea. Unfortunately, Lilah Love was very unlikable as a main character. To be fair…. She very loudly tells the reader and every other character that she is a bitch and proud of it but 🤷🏼‍♀️. The story felt very repetitive and there were so many characters introduced that I stayed confused. So much happened and yet… nothing happened until the end of book 2. Thank you to Lisa Renee Jones for providing me with an ARC of this book.

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Passenger by Lisa Renee Jones delivers a gritty, pulse-pounding blend of romantic suspense and psychological intrigue that kept me hooked from start to finish.

This edition brings together the complete Lilah Love duet—Murder Notes and Murder Girl—into one intense, unputdownable ride. Following FBI profiler Lilah Love as she returns to her hometown to track a calculating killer, the story layers murder investigations with buried secrets, shifting loyalties, and a dangerous past that refuses to stay buried.

Lilah’s voice absolutely makes this story. Experiencing everything through her sharp, unapologetic perspective adds depth and dark humor to even the most twisted moments. Her blunt opinions, relentless cravings, and no-nonsense attitude toward the men in her orbit make her feel fiercely authentic. She’s flawed, bold, caffeine-fueled, and stubborn in ways that make her impossible not to root for.

At the center of it all is Kane Mendez—the magnetic, morally complicated heir to a cartel empire and the one man Lilah should never want. Their history crackles on every page. The push-and-pull between them is explosive, layered with unresolved emotion, mistrust, and undeniable attraction. Watching them circle each other while bodies pile up and threats close in adds a charged intensity that elevates the entire plot.

The mystery unfolds at a relentless pace. Cryptic messages, hidden enemies, and lingering questions kept me guessing constantly. Every reveal raised the stakes higher, blurring the lines between justice and revenge, loyalty and betrayal. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist pulled me deeper.

If you’re drawn to stories featuring morally gray characters, high-risk investigations, complicated family dynamics, and romance that burns as fiercely as the danger surrounding it, this collection absolutely delivers. It’s dark, sharp, seductive, and packed with tension from beginning to end.

An addictive, edge-of-your-seat read that perfectly balances suspense, heat, and razor-edged humor. I’m all in on this series and can’t wait to see where Lilah’s journey leads next.

[Gabby Fitzgibbon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be the first to admit it.. I am a die-hard romance reader. My shelves are usually filled with meet-cutes, romantasy, and dark romance (the darker the better 😉). But I decided to step out of my comfort zone with Lisa Renee Jones’s Dark Passenger, and I think I’ve just been converted. If this is what the thriller genre has to offer, I’ve been missing out!

Diving right in - I’d recommend you check your trigger warnings, because if you have some hard stops this might not be for you. It has a lot of dark themes like sexual assault and well, murder of course 🔪🩸

You’re going to absolutely love the energy of the female lead, Lilah Love. And no she’s not a stripper 😂 She gives off HUGE Beth Dutton vibes, but what makes it more exciting is that she’s a FBI agent. She’s unapologetic, biting, and fiercely intelligent when it comes to profiling. And she has a dark history that makes her dangerous to anyone who underestimates her. As a "thriller newbie," I was worried I’d miss the emotional depth I’m used to in romance. I was dead wrong. The tension in this book is palpable, and while the stakes are much higher (and deadlier) than a standard rom-com or dark romance, the character development kept me just as invested. Yes there was a slight moment here and there that hinted towards a romance with the local Cartel leader (but not really Cartel leader), Kane Mendez 🌶️🤌🏼 but the story overall is more storyline than smut - which I actually liked a lot since I was so invested in the murders lol. The non-stop pacing I was doing when it would get romantic and then someone was found dead, just had me dying 😂 I found myself flipping pages (metaphorically since it was an ebook ha.) late into the night, desperate to know what Lilah would do next as she’s so unpredictable.

And don’t get me started on that cliffhanger! I am already waiting for book two so I can figure out what Lilah does next 😅

While I’m giving this a 4/5 star rating, it’s only because some things in the story didn’t line up and it felt as though a few things got forgotten about. But I also pay very close attention to details and other readers may not catch those little things.

This book hooked me from the first chapter and I didn't let go until the final page. Would definitely recommend adding this book to your TBR if you love a powerhouse female lead who takes no prisoners.

Rated: 4 out of 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I received a free ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Passenger is a fierce, addictive, and relentlessly tense dive into the mind of one of the most compelling morally‑grey heroines in crime fiction. Bringing together Murder Notes and Murder Girl in one volume, this edition delivers a seamless, high‑stakes journey through obsession, violence, and the razor‑thin line between justice and darkness.

Lilah Love is the beating heart of the story—brilliant, abrasive, and utterly unapologetic. She’s an FBI profiler who doesn’t just hunt killers; she understands them in ways that unsettle everyone around her, including herself. That internal tug‑of‑war gives the book its sharpest edge. Every chapter feels like watching someone walk a tightrope over a pit of secrets, and you’re never quite sure which way she’ll fall.

The cases she’s drawn into are layered with psychological tension, and the pacing is electric. Bodies pile up, clues twist back on themselves, and the investigation becomes deeply personal in a way that forces Lilah to confront the shadows she’s spent years outrunning. The writing captures that intensity without ever tipping into gratuitous detail, keeping the focus on character, motive, and the emotional cost of living in the dark.

Kane Mendez is a standout presence—dangerous, magnetic, and impossible for Lilah to shake. Their connection is volatile and charged, threaded with history, desire, and the unsettling knowledge that his world is built on the very things she’s sworn to fight. Their dynamic adds a delicious tension to the narrative, blurring the boundaries between ally and enemy, love and threat.

What makes Dark Passenger so gripping is its refusal to simplify its characters. Everyone is flawed, everyone is hiding something, and the truth is always more complicated than it first appears. The blend of crime, psychological warfare, and forbidden romance creates a story that’s both gritty and deeply addictive.

A dark, twisty, and utterly absorbing thriller that pulls you in from the first page and refuses to let go. Fans of morally complex heroines and high‑stakes investigations will devour this.

With thanks to LR Jones, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Alberte · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I think it was a really good idea to make these two books into one.
I will say though, if I ratede them separately the first book is 4 stars and the second is 3 stars for me, and that is also why i'm giving it 3.5 stars as a whole.

I was expecting a lot more romance from this book, but it was definitely a lot heavier on the crime and darker aspects of the book. And I can't be mad about that, because this book was for sure captivating. The story is thrilling and I think these first two books in the Lilah Love series are a great lead up to the rest of the books in the series.

Lilah sure has her moments. She is an absolute baddie and a girlboss, but sometimes she really is a bitch (oh and she knows that, and she is owning it). I think sometimes that male dominated workfield of hers is rubbing off on her (this is not a compliment to her character).
I like when we get glimpses of a different more vulnerable side of her when she'e with Kane. I think the two of them balances each other out pretty good.
I think Kane is really hot. I don't need to say much more about that. But I do really hope we get more romance or at least more interactions between them in the next books.

I mean this in a good way; for a good part of this book I have felt like I was being led on the wildest goose chase. Sometimes it felt like there might be a little too much happening and the way her suspects list kept growing was a bit overwhelming at times - Sometimes it made me feel like we weren't really getting anywhere with the story. I had a moment in the book where I feared that I wouldn't get any answers by the end. But I'm very happy that some things got resolved while there is still so much space for this story to unfold. I definitely felt like I got an ending to this one story but I'm also very intrigued to see more and what happens next.

It's a bit different from the more romance heavy books I usually read, but I definitely want to contine tese books and see what other situations Lilah can get herself into.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Dark Passenger by Lisa Renee Jones.

Dark Passenger is a dark, psychologically charged crime thriller that introduces readers to FBI profiler Lilah Love, a protagonist who is as compelling as she is complex. Sharp, fearless and unapologetically direct, Lilah is known for her ability to think like a killer. When a string of brutal murders begins to unfold, the investigation quickly takes a disturbing turn, pulling her back to her hometown and into a case that seems uncomfortably tied to her own past.

Lilah is the real strength of this novel. She is not an easy or traditionally likeable heroine, but that is precisely what makes her so interesting. Brilliant and confrontational, she is willing to bend rules if it means getting closer to the truth. Her psychological insight into the minds of killers adds a chilling edge to the narrative, particularly as anonymous clues and a rising body count begin to suggest the murderer may be targeting her personally.

The story is further complicated by Lilah’s tense and emotionally charged relationship with Kane Mendez, the son of a powerful crime figure and someone deeply connected to her past. Their dynamic adds another layer to the narrative, blending unresolved history, dangerous attraction and shifting loyalties alongside the central investigation.

The pacing builds steadily, combining procedural elements with psychological tension and personal stakes. Lisa Renee Jones creates a dark, atmospheric setting where secrets run deep and trust is fragile, keeping the reader guessing as past and present begin to collide.

Overall, Dark Passenger is a gripping, character-driven thriller with a morally complex heroine at its centre. A strong four-star read for fans of crime fiction who enjoy investigative suspense, flawed protagonists and a hint of dangerous romance woven into the mystery.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dark Passenger” pulled me in from the first page and delivered a gripping ride full of suspense, danger, and complex attraction. FBI profiler Lilah Love returns to her hometown to investigate a string of murders, uncover old secrets, and face Kane Mendez, the dangerously charismatic cartel heir she cannot ignore.

The beginning felt a little rough. Lilah’s harsh, distant attitude was hard to understand. It made her hard to connect with, and the early romantic moments with Kane were brief and underwhelming. The many characters and contacts were a lot to track, and her skills as a profiler did not always shine.

By the second half, everything clicked. Lilah grows sharper, more relatable, and more human, balancing intelligence with vulnerability. The story mixes pulse-pounding suspense with moments of dark humor that lighten the tension. Kane’s presence is magnetic and unpredictable, and the suspense escalates with every page. Lilah is forced to make impossible choices, navigating loyalty, justice, and personal risk while uncovering family secrets and tangled hometown dynamics. Mysteries intertwine seamlessly, and the tension between the characters finally delivers the depth the story promised.

What started as a hesitant entry turned into an unputdownable thriller. The finale is satisfying, full of intrigue, character growth, moral dilemmas, and clever, witty moments. This duet edition is the perfect way to experience the full journey.

Fans of smart thrillers, morally gray characters, high-stakes danger, slow-burning romance, and intricate family dynamics will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to see where Lilah Love’s story goes next.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Hannah Haseley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lilah Love, an FBI profiler, is sent back to her hometown to help solve a murder. She's greeted by a dead body and absolutely no one wanting her home as an FBI agent: her ex flame turned crime boss is all over her arrival as they share quite the past, her father's political ambitions, her brother's new relationship and his position on the force who may or may not be crooked, her ex best friend who is now married to a scuz, and the list goes on. No one is honest. No one can be trusted. All Lilah knows is that whoever is murdering, is murdering for her.

I liked this more than I thought I was going to. The first few pages, I HATED Lilah. It made the first few chapters just a tad bit of a slog to get through. In fact, a lot of characters are just.... unlikeable and honestly, I sort of began to love that. Once the actual vibe of the book fully hit me, I enjoyed how flawed all the characters were. I loved the mystery, the attitude, the romance, the banter, the family dynamics. this book has a lot going on and it always feels very genuine. I truly felt like I was right there with her, feeling everything and nothing all at one, trying to piece together clues from every little scrap of information. The frustrations I felt while reading made sense given that Lilah is so frustrated throughout so much of it, which just really builds nicely.

I would recommend this book to people who enjoyed Criminal Minds but make it spicy. It really was something that I wasn't sure was going to be for me. I read mostly fantasy, romance, thrillers, and horror mostly but this felt a bit more of a cross between suspense and dark romance, which I really did enjoy. it actually makes me want to pick up more books like this in the future, which is always a big win.

[Katarzyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder Notes

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️

Holy crap! This story has me hooked! We follow our FMC, Lilah, a federal agent working a case involving multiple murders. When Lilah locates a tattoo on one of the bodies, it leads her back to her hometown of the Hamptons, where she is welcomed with a murder that matches those of the case she is working. And the scene? One of Lilah‘s dangerous ex-boyfriend‘s rental properties. Thrown back into Kane‘s orbit, Lilah finds herself still harboring feelings for him; however, their feelings are highly complicated by a stalker that seems to know about the dark secret that the pair share. The suspense in this one had me flying through the pages and on the edge of my seat. I have so many theories about who might be involved and I can’t wait to keep going with book two, Murder Girl. Despite the toxicity of their relationship, I love Kane for Lilah. Kane understands Lilah and her needs better than anyone else. I hope Kane doesn’t end up tied to the case Lilah is working.

*Check TWs if needed.*

Murder Girl

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
.5 🌶️

This one was a wild ride! We pick up immediately after the events of Murder Notes. Secrets continue to be revealed and the suspense continues to build surrounding the murder investigation. Lilah and Kane‘s relationship also rekindles, as their inevitability becomes apparent while they join forces to unravel the mystery surrounding the bodies that are piling up. Their love for one another is a perfect storm and I love Lilah and Kane as a power couple. While I wish that the final identity reveal scene was a little more drawn out, I loved seeing Lilah take charge and own her darkness. I’m excited to see where this series goes from here!

*Check TWs if needed.*

[Valisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Lilah Love is a character who either captivates you with her uncompromising nature or repels you with her darkness. Dark Passenger is an intense dive into the mind of a woman who hunts monsters while teetering on the edge of becoming one herself. It's a psychological thriller with a very specific vibe, where the line between justice and revenge is so blurred that you no longer understand whose side you're on.

Lilah is an FBI profiler who sees the world through the prism of the darkest human impulses. But the main intrigue here is not in serial killers, but in her own “shadow” and her relationship with Kain Mendez. Cain is dangerous, magnetic, and deeply connected to the criminal world that Lila is supposed to destroy. Their connection is an explosive mixture of forbidden attraction and mutual distrust that fuels the plot throughout the book.

I love strong, “wrong” heroines. Lilah doesn't try to be good, she just does her job, using her own inner darkness as a tool. Her sharp mind and cynicism make her one of the most interesting profilers in modern detective fiction.
This is a case where the characters perfectly complement each other's darkness. It's not about tenderness, it's about control, power, and dangerous intimacy that makes your skin crawl.

Sometimes the plot became so confusing that I caught myself thinking, “Wait, who is this character and how did they get here?” There were moments when the author overdid it with the intrigue, and it slightly dampened the emotional intensity.
Lilah often rehashed the same internal dilemmas about her dark side in her head. At some point, I wanted to say, “Okay, I get it, let's move on.” It slowed down the momentum a bit, which was just crazy at the beginning.

[BookboundandBlushed · Rating 2 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️ (2 stars)Wanted dark suspense… got repetitive and disconnected

I really wanted to like The Dark Passenger Duet (the premise is so up my alley), but I had a hard time with this one from the start and it never really turned around for me.

The biggest issue was that I didn’t connect with any of the characters. The FMC is clearly meant to read as an independent, badass rule-breaker, but for me it fell completely flat. Instead of feeling layered or compelling, she came across as harsh without depth, there wasn’t enough vulnerability, emotion, or growth to balance the edge, so she just felt angry all the time. I love strong female leads, but this didn’t feel like “strong,” it felt like “closed off bitch” with no payoff.

The love interest also didn’t work for me. I think he’s supposed to have that loyal, golden-retriever energy, but it came across more annoying and stalker-ish than swoony or protective. The relationship dynamic didn’t feel romantic or tense in a good way, it just didn’t land and felt out of place. The other ex-boyfriend is probably the only character I didn't have any comments on.

On top of that, the book felt repetitive, with long stretches where I kept waiting for the story to move forward. There were scenes that didn’t flow well, and I couldn’t tell if it was the writing style, the character work, or the overall structure but I felt like I was reading for a long time without much actually happening. I almost DNF’d it a few times.

Overall, it just wasn’t for me. I also wouldn’t personally classify this as a dark romance or suspense the way I expected based on the description.

[Cortney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Passenger was a fun, dark, roller coaster to read.

Lilah Love is a badass detective that doesn't take crap from anyone. She is in a male driven field and the men think they can walk all over her because she is a woman. Well think again. She will put you in your place real fast. Her own psychological trauma that she dealt with when she was younger made her who she is today and how she thinks like a killer to find the actual killer.

These 2 books were more crime and thriller driven, than romance. I just wish the romance was sprinkled into these books a little more. I love that one man is fighting for her to choose him, and the other is a mafia son where he doesn't have to try because he knows who she truly is and she is drawn to him. Despite cheating on her in the past of course. Kane is a morally grey man that you can't resist rooting for. A man of little words lol. I'm glad this was 2 books in one because I was drawn from the start and couldn't put it down.

I liked reading her process of making and eliminating suspects. It felt like you were in her head working a long side her thoughts. I could go without constantly going back to the night of her attack. It didn't bring anything to the table, but repeat what we already knew.

This is a character driven book and everyone plays an important part to the story. It was fun learning all the side characters and the witty friendship she has with everyone. I usually have trouble with remembering a bunch of characters, but this was easy to follow.
Can't wait to read the next book in this series.

[Samsam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Far Passenger by Lisa Renee Jones, and honestly? My head is still spinning. If you’re a fan of romantic suspense or psychological thrillers, you need to clear your schedule before you start this one.
What I loved:
📚The "One More Chapter" Effect: The storyline is so tightly wound. I found myself saying "just one more chapter" at 1:00 AM because the suspense was killing me.
📚A Heroine Worth Rooting For: I am a sucker for a strong female lead, and Jones nailed it here. She’s smart, she’s tough, and she doesn’t just wait around to be rescued. She handles the chaos with a grit that kept me totally hooked.
📚The Constant Guessing Game: I usually pride myself on spotting the "bad guy" early on, but the characters in this book kept me guessing until the very end. Every time I thought I had a handle on someone's motives, a new layer was peeled back.
My Takeaway
This wasn't just a mystery; it was an emotional rollercoaster. The tension is palpable, and the payoff is so satisfying. It’s easily one of my favorite reads of the year so far. Lisa Renee Jones has a way of making you feel the danger right alongside the characters.
Bottom line: If you want a book with high stakes, a powerhouse protagonist, and twists you won't see coming—read this.

[ReadwithNae24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars — Beth Dutton but make it FBI profiler 🔪🖤

First off, thank you to the author for the ARC. I’m always happy to discover new thrillers and this one definitely had an intriguing premise.

The easiest way I can describe Dark Passenger is: what if Beth Dutton joined the FBI and became a profiler? That’s the kind of energy Lilah Love brings to the page. She’s sharp, unapologetic, morally grey, and absolutely not interested in playing nice with anyone, criminals or colleagues. I enjoyed that edge to her character because it made her stand out from the typical thriller heroine.

The story blends crime investigation with psychological tension and a complicated personal life, particularly her connection to Kane Mendez, which adds a bit of danger and intrigue alongside the serial killer plot. There’s a strong sense of atmosphere and the narrative definitely leans into that darker “what if the hunter understands the monster too well” territory.

For me, it was an interesting read, though it didn’t completely hook me the way I hoped it would. I found parts of it engaging and the concept behind Lilah’s character compelling, but overall it didn’t leave a huge impression once I finished. It’s the kind of book where the premise is strong and the tone is solid, but I personally didn’t feel the pull to immediately continue the series.

That said, readers who enjoy dark psychological thrillers with morally grey female leads and crime-driven plots will likely find a lot to like here. Lilah is definitely a memorable character and the world Lisa Renee Jones creates has plenty of intrigue for fans of the genre.

🔪 Strong, sharp heroine
🖤 Dark psychological vibes
🕵️‍♀️ Crime + morally grey tension

A solid thriller with an interesting lead character, even if it didn’t completely grab me the way I expected

[CallyMia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.
Reading this made me feel the way I do when I watch my favourite crime tv show!

We follow Lilah Love, an FBI profiler who’s given a case which could be closer to home than she thinks. Add in ex boyfriend and dangerous man Kane, Lilah has to keep her wits about her whilst she figures it all out.

I liked the dynamic between Lilah and Kane, even their smallest interactions came across passionate and intense, they definitely had my giggling. I loved how suspenseful and gripping the criminal side of the book was, it was like we were being fed little bits here and there but done in a clever way so I just couldn’t guess who the killer was or why!

The writing created a dark atmosphere whilst reading, I felt like I could immerse myself in the story and really get a feeling of the pressures and stresses that Lilah was under. We have a strong no nonsense fmc in Lilah, I felt I could connect with her and wanted her to succeed.

And of course, I love that we get an edition that combines the two books so after the cliffhanger you can go straight into the next book!

A dark, romantic thriller full of suspense, it kept me on edge the whole time trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together!

Thank you to the author for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Niki N Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay so I will be perfectly honest I was pleasantly surprised at the fact that I enjoyed this. this is way outside of my normal wheelhouse but I enjoy the sassy main female character. the main female character is an FBI profiler who might or might not have a little stuff in her own past, a possibly or definitely criminal ex. there were murders that had happened where she resided at that time and more closer to where she grew up in her home where her father and brother friends ex-friends ex-partners all that stuff were in law enforcement or medical examiner or district attorney and there's some corruption or hunting towards possible people being part of corruption in this. I love how sassy she is she's not afraid to use foul language to get her point across she's very much the epitome of extremely work oriented and wanting to get stuff done and she is willing to fight for what she believes in even if it pisses like everybody off. if you're a fan of the ideal of criminal minds where there's the profiler going through all these different steps to figure out who could have done it but you want the background of the character in the plot as well her personal life then I would highly recommend this book. this is a mix of the first two books in this series.

[Lolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow… what a ride! Dark Passenger had me hooked right from the start. It’s packed with twists, secrets, and suspense that kept me turning the pages. This edition combines Murder Notes and Murder Girl into one dark and addictive thriller filled with mystery, crime, and a touch of romance.

The story follows Lilah Love, an FBI profiler who is strong, fearless, and not afraid to speak her mind. She’s a total badass and a really interesting character to follow throughout the story.

The case quickly becomes intense when murders start piling up and mysterious notes begin appearing that seem to be meant just for Lilah. As she digs deeper into the investigation, the mystery becomes more personal, and the twists keep coming. Just when you think you’ve figured something out… another surprise appears.

What I loved most is that nothing in this story is simple. Every character has secrets, and the truth is never quite what it seems. The mix of crime, mystery, tension, and a little romance made this such an exciting read.

If you enjoy dark thrillers, strong female leads, lots of twists, and morally grey characters, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a try!

[Colette TenEyck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains the first two novels in the Lilah Love series, Murder Notes and Murder Girl. While you can purchase and read each book individually, I suggest reading them in this format (as a duet) because the first book ends in a pretty abrupt cliffhanger. Our FMC, Lilah Love, is a tough as nails police officer turned FBI agent. I absolutely love the depth Jones put into Lilah's character... if you are looking for a FMC that is meek, mild, and needs a man to save her, this book is NOT for you! Our MMC, Kane Mendez, is a powerful businessman with familial ties to the cartel. Jones take us on a twisting, turning ride full of deceit and corruption, while also revealing intimate pieces of Lilah and Kane's backstory, making this high-paced thriller hard to put down. I do want to state that this book is not for mindless reading... there are a lot of characters and bits of information to keep track of, and you will get lost if you don't pay attention. If you are a fan of thrillers with a touch of spice (nothing too crazy), then you need to put this on your must-read list.

[Tinaj Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Passenger is a duology comprised of Murder Notes (book one) and Murder Girl (book two) of the Lilah Love 12-book series. It is written in first person, single point of view. Murder Notes ends on a cliffhanger. I was so glad book 2 was included and I did not have to wait for answers!

This book had me addicted from the very beginning! I mean, who doesn’t love a badass, blunt, female FBI Profiler who doesn’t take any crap from anyone?

We start with Lilah in LA. She is assigned a case that brings her back to her hometown, bringing up flashbacks of old, unresolved trauma. She quickly finds that she may not know her friends, family, and last police partner as well as she thought. Is the new case related to her old trauma? Who can she trust? Is her family on the side of good as she always believed? Oh, and bonus, she has her own personal stalker!

This book is fast-paced and will keep you interested until the very end!

Dark Passenger is the first book of the Lilah Love Darkest Impulses Special Edition releasing August 24, 2026!

[Portia Citlali · Rating 4 out of 5]

🍕🍟☕Endless snacking (Coffee and Cheetos, the breakfast of champions!!)
☎️🗣️💬Constantly being hung up on
🕶️🧩📡Conspiracies on top of conspiracies
🔪🩸🚔Stalker and Organized Crime
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💔🔥Family drama

This one completely surprised me. Based on the description, I went in expecting something similar to the Mindfck* series, so the slower start caught me off guard. At first, I struggled a bit with the introduction of multiple characters all at once and multiple plot lines; it felt overwhelming.

But as the book went on, I was hooked.

Told from Lyla’s POV, her inner monologue is absolutely top tier. Her constant cravings and endless state of starvation and her very strong likes and dislikes toward the men around her made her totally relatable. As the plot began to unravel and the pacing picked up, I was fully immersed in the drama.

I had to know: Who is the killer? Who is the turncoat? And WHO IS JR?!?!?!

I wanted to thank Netgalley for this ARC

[Brooklynn Shortreed · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow!!! Lisa Renee Jones is a genius! I was so pleasantly surprised by this read!

This FBI murder/mysteru duet if fantastic! We have Lilah Love fighting I internal demons while also finding the criminals in the world. She is a powerhouse FMC with a filthy mouth and enough sass for us all! I had so much fun diving into her past as well as her victims. The romance on the side is a fun addition to this as well!

This book contains two books inside of it, the first duet introduction to Lilah Love. In this we have deception, lies, plot twists, murder, love, and so much more. I am new to this genre of reading and I had so much fun!

I will say the first book to a bit for me to get into as she is building up the characters and relationships (3.5 stars I’d say) and the the second book takes you on a fast paced thrilling ride (4.5 stars) and together that’s why I put the duet as a 4⭐️ rating!!


I read this as an eARC from Lisa Renee Jones in exchange for an honest review

[Twinkle.butt.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like your romance dark, dangerous, and dripping with secrets, Dark Passenger is here to drag you into the shadows and honestly, I went willingly.

This story pulls you into a world where trust is fragile, danger is always lurking, and the chemistry between the characters is strong enough to start a small fire. The tension? Delicious. The mystery? Constantly keeping you side-eyeing everyone involved.

The characters carry a lot of emotional weight and hidden agendas, which makes every interaction feel like a game of “are we flirting… or plotting something?” And frankly, that’s the kind of chaotic energy I enjoy in a dark romance.
Dark Passenger is a moody, suspense-filled ride with plenty of tension, secrets, and complicated emotions. If you love romance that walks on the darker side with characters who are a little dangerous and a lot intriguing this one is definitely worth the trip.

Just remember: in this story, everyone has secrets… and nobody is exactly who they seem.

[Zoe Costley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark Passenger delivers a gripping, twist‑heavy storyline that kept me curious from the start. The premise is strong, the atmosphere is dark in all the right ways, and the central mystery has that addictive, “just one more chapter” pull. I really enjoyed the tension, the psychological edge, and the way the threads eventually tie together. The characters — especially Lilah — have a sharpness and attitude that make the world feel alive.

That said, the book felt longer than it needed to be, especially with the two‑book structure combined into one volume. There’s a lot of information to take in, and some chapters felt unnecessary or overly drawn out. The pacing sometimes dragged, and I found myself wishing the story had been tighter and more focused.

Overall, it’s a solid read with a compelling plot, but the length and density made it harder to stay fully immersed. A good story — just one that could have been more impactful with a cleaner, more streamlined execution.

[Anni Weilemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. Going into it, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but it ended up surprising me in a really good way.

The writing style was engaging and easy to get into. Towards the end the author started repeating certain things a bit, which I noticed, but it didn’t take too much away from the overall experience.

What intrigued me the most was actually the crime storyline. I found myself much more invested in that part of the plot. The romance felt more like a side plot to me, but that worked perfectly fine for the story and didn’t bother me at all.

And that ending, I definitely didn’t see it coming!

Overall, this is a great book if you’re looking for a palate cleanser between heavier reads. It was entertaining, intriguing, and easy to get through. I’m also really excited to see the new special editions that are coming out.

[Brianne Yeager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m giving this 4.5 stars.
This combined the first two Lilah Love novels into one book. This thriller was a perfect combination of mystery, spice, and humor. Kane is a dangerous man linked to the cartel and his relationship with feisty FBI agent Lilah Love was so good. Their tension is electric. I highly recommend this if you enjoy morally gray characters and stories that cross lines between ethics, justice, family, and vengeance. Any book that has a FMC that swears like a trucker, is strong as hell and loves all things coffee, pizza and chocolate is a win for me!
Thank you to Lisa Renee Jones for the arc opportunity, these new covers are absolute fire. I cannot wait to continue my Lilah Love journey!

[Cassi Olazabal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to ARC read this book
I'm always a sucker for this type of book, the whole psychological thriller. I kept expecting hardcore spice to be peppered throughout the book. When the book does feature some spice, I would not say it was the hardcore kind.
Lilah, as a character, is beautifully written, as are the other characters. The characters that deserve hate get the hate they deserve.
So much is going on in the book, but it isn't done in bad taste. For me personally, I found myself getting so caught up in the story that it was over. Well, the story is far from over, as there is more to come for Lilah Love. I can't wait to find more about Junior, The Society, and Ghost.
I'm expecting some backstabbing to be coming in the near future.

[S. R. Langstaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where do I even begin… Lilah Love is a total badass! Our FMC is a 28 year old Profiler living in LA originally from NYC. Her mom was a famous actress and her father used to work in the Police Force. Lilah had a troubling past that might be coming back to haunt her in the double book series.

The authors ability to take us into the mind of a profile who’s not only badass but has these, “I’m just a girl” moments while maintaining so much humanity and realistic feelings is immaculate. I loved how the she articulated the scenes, settings and how she incorporated moments in which Lilah was thinking of or re-living past experiences.

Lilah and Kane are a perfect pairing, they are day and night and i can’t wait to see what happened next in their story.