Tangled Lies

by Nikki Hailee

From debut author Nikki Hailee comes a romantic suspense that grips you from the first page and doesn’t let go.

Elyse

I never thought I'd escape, but somehow, I end up in Wolfe Springs with blood on my hands and a terrible secret following me. I need to lie low and earn some cash to stay on the move. I can't trust anyone. But then I meet Adrian, a charismatic ray of sunshine determined to brighten my darkest days. I'm a raincloud who can't let him get close, or he might find out who I truly am… and what I've done. But ignoring the way he sets every nerve ending on fire becomes impossible.

Adrian

When an ex-colleague cashes in a favor and asks me to track down his confidential informant, I don't hesitate. Tracking people down comes easily, and it doesn't matter to me if they don't want to be found. But then I find her. The numbness that consumes me begins to crack, and with every glance, smile, and touch—I’m completely ruined. For the first time, I'm questioning myself and whether I'm doing the right thing. Because falling for her wasn't part of the plan. It's too late to go back, and now revealing who I am might destroy everything.

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 13, 2026

Reviews

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75🌟, 3🌶️

This emotional romantic suspense completely won me over with its incredible heart and addictive tension.

Following Elyse as she bravely fled an abusive relationship to find safety in a cozy small town, the story struck an immediate, powerful chord. I completely fell for Adrian, an ex-cop hired under false pretenses who turned out to be the most patient, steady, and deeply caring protector, slowly becoming her ultimate safe space without ever rushing her boundaries.

While a few minor plot holes, quick timeline jumps, and a rushed final climax kept it from perfection, these initial stumbles were easily overshadowed by the dazzling emotional depth. The romance blossomed with such tender devotion, and the narrative was beautifully enriched by fantastic side characters like Mira, who took Elyse under her wing like family and brought an extra layer of warmth to the entire journey.

Ultimately, it is a gorgeous exploration of trauma, resilience, and healing that left me smiling after finishing the book. At the end of the day, it is a heavy yet touching exploration of healing that has me genuinely curious to check out future books from this author.

~~~~

Huge thank you to Nikki Hailee and Luna Literary for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[K Webz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangled Lies is a story that balances suspense, romance and a few twists into the pages to create a journey full of tension and chemistry.

Elyse is a resilient FMC who goes on the run after an altercation with her abusive boyfriend, Ryan. Adrian is hired by Ryan to bring her back under the pretense that she is an important confidential informant. While on her trail, Adrian starts to realize things aren’t adding up.

I loved how Adrian became her safe place. He was so patient and understanding, showing her what it is like to be loved and cared for without being afraid.

Elyse is a shining star in this story. From her escape from Ryan to her struggling to figure out who she can trust and wanting to find safety. The strength she rebuilds is my favorite thing about her.

[Jenna Lundberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

💙 Finding Safety in the Midst of Chaos 💙
⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️

There is something especially satisfying about a romantic suspense where the romance feels just as important as the mystery, and Tangled Lies delivered exactly that. Nikki Hailee's debut novel blends danger, emotional healing, and heartfelt romance into a story that kept me invested from beginning to end. While a few pacing and plot issues kept this from being a five-star read for me, the emotional journey at the heart of the story completely won me over.

Elyse's story begins with her fleeing an abusive relationship, desperate to disappear before her past catches up with her. Arriving in Wolfe Springs with nowhere to go, she slowly begins rebuilding a life for herself while carrying secrets she believes could destroy everything. Adrian enters her life under completely different circumstances, believing he's been hired to locate a confidential informant. It doesn't take long before he realizes that the woman he's searching for isn't the person he was led to believe she was, and watching him slowly become Elyse's safe place was easily my favorite part of the book.

Adrian was exactly the kind of hero I love reading about. Patient, protective, and endlessly supportive, he never tried to force Elyse to heal on his timeline. Instead, he gave her the space to trust again while quietly showing her what genuine love and safety could look like. Their relationship developed through small moments of understanding, making the emotional connection between them feel far more meaningful than the romance alone. I also appreciated watching Elyse slowly rediscover her own strength. Rather than simply surviving, she learned how to reclaim her independence and begin believing she deserved a life free from fear.

The supporting characters added so much warmth to the story, especially Mira. From the moment she welcomed Elyse into her diner, she became the family Elyse desperately needed. Their friendship was one of my favorite aspects of the novel and added an extra layer of comfort to an otherwise emotionally heavy story.

The reason this landed at four stars instead of five was because I found myself noticing a few inconsistencies throughout the mystery. There were moments where the timeline felt rushed, several plot points that could have been developed further, and a handful of details that pulled me out of the story as I tried to piece everything together. I also would have loved a little more polish in the overall suspense storyline because I think the foundation for an incredible five-star romantic suspense was absolutely there.

Overall, Tangled Lies is a touching story about resilience, healing, and learning that safe love really does exist. If you enjoy romantic suspense with protective heroes, emotional healing, found family, small-town charm, and a heroine who slowly finds the strength to reclaim her life, this is a debut well worth picking up.

Thank you to Nikki Hailee and Luna Literary for the gifted advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[HHarlowReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited for this one! The tropes and blurb pulled me in and had me promptly signing up for an ARC through Luna Literary.

This story had a strong start. It hooked me quickly and I needed to know more about where the story began. Unfortunately, it fell flat from there for me. But what didn’t work for me may be a god tier read for another. I absolutely feel like the author has great potential in the romantic suspense genre and just needs to clean up/work on the flow of the story for it to pack a punch.

I struggle with reviewing books where characters handled their trauma differently than I’ve seen it handled IRL because I know everyone’s experience is different and don’t know the author’s history.

That being said, I didn’t connect with the FMC and it affected the flow of the story for me. She was very quick to fall into someone else after what she escaped and didn’t really pause to question her ability to read people and discern whether they were safe.

I never could get a clear image of the MMC in my head. I’m one of those who sees the story play out as a movie in my mind while I read and my inability to draw a clear picture of him affected my enjoyment of the story.

I didn’t feel connected with the romance. It felt clunky to me and as though it were added because readers like spice rather than given time to build and grow.

I didn’t love how the villain went by different names. It’s understandable colleagues would refer to him by his last name, but going by his middle name when they used first and last felt thrown in for shock factor rather than fitting the story. I need to know why. How did that come about?

The self defense claim at the end. It felt jumbled. Three people were present and he was shot and stabbed multiple times, duct taped to a chair, but we only question the ex and slap self defense on it? And this is after she stabbed him and left him for dead. I think a little more research into crime procedure would have been helpful in closing the gaps in this plot.

I’d be willing to read something else by the author in the future to see their growth in their writing, because I do see potential here. This one just didn’t quite hit the nail on the head for me.

[Jennifer English · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Luna Literacy for giving me the chance to ARC read Nikki's debut book. The blurb sounded so good, that I was so excited to read it. Unfortunately, a few plot holes and the flatness of our characters at some times kept this from being an exceptional read.

Elyse/Julia is a DV victim who is on the run after finally sticking up for herself. In fact, she thinks she's running from a murder charge. Thankfully, maybe un-thankfully, not really sure, she's not and a PI has been sent to find her and bring her back. Except he thinks she's a CI who's on the run from something that she wasn't supposed to see. And this is one of the plot holes. Adrian see's her face, the same night she's on the run, when she stops to dye her hair at a gas station. He see's it again when she finally finds a random town to stop in, and he see's it over and over going forward. But he never puts together that she's not a CI, that she's a DV survivor. He's an ex-cop, it should have been very easy to figure out.

Another thing, though I'm not sure if its an editing issue, or a Freudian slip, but he calls her Elyse a couple times before she comes clean on who she really is, but she never catches on to it. I feel like that's something that she would immediately clock. The timeline also seems inconsistent, sometimes it seems like we jump forward with no notice but then its also like it jumps back to shortly after another scene.

I do like how much he was willing to help her, even when he thought she was someone else. Some of he things he did were definitely on the grey side, but I mean really, who wants a knight in shining armor anymore? I think the most well rounded character was Mira, which is strange as she's a supporting character, and if anyone was Elyse's knight is shining armor it would be her.

Honestly, I think this book has a lot of potential to be a 5 star book. Maybe a little more time developing the storyline and the characters, a little more polishing and it could definitely be there. I hope our author continues to write and develop her craft, as this is her debut book, and I see a lot of potential.

[Khou Yang · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book. The tropes and the blurb immediately caught my attention.
Unfortunately, it fell flat for me.

I loved the idea of the plot. Elyse is running from a terrible situation at home (DV). She finds solace in a small town, working at a diner. Adrian is sent to find her and bring her back. But upon seeing her, he knows somethinf isn't adding up.

I loved the beginning but about 30% in, I feel the story fell short. I feel like there was a lot of fillers for the plot. This may spoil the plot so be warned! In the book her ex is named Ryan. Ryan is the one who hired Adrian. Adrian knows him from the past (I won't spoil that part) but Adrian knows him as Parker. But his first name is Elliot. I need answers. Why did she always call him Ryan and not his first name? It confused the heck out of me. Also, she doesn't know anything about Adrian and one night just knocks om his door to bone him? And they're basically inseparable after. The miscommunication in the book was unnecessary. If they had been completely honest with each other 50% in, the storyline could've changed into taking the ex down.

I liked the characters enough. Adrian has emotional baggage from the past that makes him extremely protective of Elyse. He's kind, understanding, and doesn't push her boundaries. Elyse is a strong FMC, but maybe too strong in this case? This might not make sense because I know after what she's been through, she needs to feel in control. But she needs help. She goes to Mira, her boss, and asks for a new place to stay and somewhere to put her car. Mira has her cousin person take it to his junkyard and says it will be returned to her when she wants it back. Elyse then says no it should be my decision. Miss girl, YOU asked for help. In no way were they stranding you or taking away any choices. That annoyed me.

Overall, idk if I would recommend this. I found myself trying to skim the pages, then had to go back to read it. While the plot was there, the story as a whole missed the mark for me.

[Rebecca Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tangled Lies is the debut novel by Nikki Hailee. This romantic suspense features 25 year old Adalyn Elyse Finley. Elyse (aka Julia) lost her mother a few months prior and all she has left is her controlling and abusive boyfriend, Ryan. She finally manages to escape but ends up running not only from him but from the law.

Elyse finds her way to a small town in Georgia where she stops at the White Rose diner to spend her last few dollars. It is there she meets Mira who offers her kindness in the form of a few dollars for a nearby motel and a job waiting tables at the diner. Mira clearly saw someone who needed help, and offered it without asking for anything in return. That scene warmed my heart.

As Elyse settles in, still perpetually looking over her shoulder, she meets Adrian (Cree)gan Thomas. Adrian used to be a police officer but now works as an "unofficial bounty Hunter with hacking skills". His old partner, Parker, reaches out to him to bring Elyse in noting she was a confidential informant in a case and he needs her back to wrap things up. Adrian is all too happy to help Parker out until he sees Elyse. The bruises Elyse tries to hide remind him of his late sister, Leighanna, and all he wants to do is to help her. First though, he has to get her to trust him.

I found this story to be captivating. Reading about domestic violence is always heartbreaking so I appreciated how the author removed the FMC from the situation, and continued to show how the effects remain with the victim long after the individual is physically separated from their abuser. It is a heavy topic and one that can be challenging to write where compassion and understanding for the victim remain at its heart. I don't know why Hailee chose this topic for her debut but I can only hope it was cathartic, if needed. I also hope that it reaches current victims and perhaps gives them a push to seek the help they need to remove themselves from their own situation.

I thought the author did a great job on her first novel and would be interested in checking out her future works.

[Carole Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a debut author and a new one for me and after reading this story, I am eager to indulge in her forthcoming works. There are a number of themes in this book including grief, physical and emotional betrayal, hidden identities with secrets, drama and check all trigger and content warnings before you read the story.

Elyse is in an abusive and tragic relationship and with the grief of her mother’s death a few months ago, she feels lost and adrift. On the run from her abuser, she lands in a little town and connects with Mira, who becomes a staunch supporter and friend to her. Elyse is attempting to garner some happiness and peace for herself as she knows things always have a way of going bad for her and any joy will provide happy memories for herself through the upcoming bad times.

Adrian is a strong, confident and caring person who is weighed down by his sister’s tragic death three years ago and is plagued with feelings of guilt at being unable to save her. Tracking Elyse to bring her in is not adding up to him when her sees her bruises and pain and he soon realises something else is going on. He falls hard for her and wants to save her from any danger, if only she would tell him the truth of her past.

The story kicks off from there with the twists of them both living with secrets and the turns of dramatic attacks, photos and violence, before the story comes full circle and ends with them playing a part in helping Mira with her life’s work of saving other DV victims.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the hours of respite this reading has gifted me and thank the author for giving me the opportunity to enjoy the arc and provide my voluntary review.

[Carol Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*
This was so good. I loved everything about it.
We get some suspense with what’s going to happen with Elyse and her ex. Will he find her and if so what will happen? We also get some suspense from what will Elyse do and say when she finds out why Adrian is in town.
We also get the romance and spice. These two are drawn to each other, even though they shouldn’t be. Adrian is there to do a job, which is find Elyse. And Elyse is there trying to figure out her life while hiding from her abusive ex. But none of that seems to matter because they can’t stay away from each other.
Adrian is kind and sweet and patient. He wants to protect Elyse while also loving her. He also knows how to ruin you, iykyk 🥵😉.
I loved the way Mira, owner of the restaurant Elyse works at, just took her under her wing. With her background she’s able to tell when someone needs help. She’s a saving grace and a wonderful woman for helping out Elyse(and others). We need to see more of that kindness in this world.
With the help of her new friends and Adrian, Elyse is able to confront her demons and the ex and is able to come out on top. She’s able to finally live her life without always second guessing, and without always looking over her shoulder. She now can have a beautiful life full of love and laughter.
I also loved how Duncan was only sweet to Elyse. It’s like he just knew she was kind and that she’d been through a lot. I guess animals are just special that way and just know when we need them the most.

[Shanice Rouhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I would rate this story 4⭐️

The trigger warnings are important for this one please don’t skip them. The story follows Elyse who has found herself in the hands of a dangerous man. After an altercation, Elyse flees, without knowing she is being followed almost immediately. She stops at a small town and without much of a plan, when a kind stranger offers her work and a place to stay she decides to stay in town for a while until she decides what to do next.

Elyse was honestly very accepting of her circumstances. She seemed to be resigned to that fact that her story ends in a jail cell and as the story progresses it becomes evident why.

Adrian was very switched on. Almost immediately he could tell something was off and he made it his personal mission to find out what. He had somewhat of a hero complex seeing a lot of his sister in Elyse. While he did some morally grey stuff, like professionally following Elyse, putting cameras outside her room etc, all before he really got to know her though.

Again please check the triggers. There is on page depiction of DV and violence. That aside I really liked the story. At its core it’s about a woman who’s at a breaking point and is forced to protect herself and then feels like there’s no other choice but to run. I really enjoyed the journey Nikki Hailee took me on while reading this book.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Copy

Tangled Lies delivers a compelling blend of suspense, romance, and unexpected twists that keep the pages turning. Before diving in, I highly recommend checking the trigger warnings, as the story explores some heavy and emotional topics.

As Adrian follows Elyse, he quickly realizes that Ryan's story isn't adding up, and it's clear from the very beginning that there's much more going on beneath the surface. One of my favorite aspects of the book was the plot twist involving Elyse's ex-boyfriend and his connection to Adrian. It completely changed my perspective on the story and kept me questioning what was really happening. The ending was also thought-provoking and left me reflecting long after I finished.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought the suspense was well done. While I understand that everyone processes trauma differently, I personally felt that Elyse's relationship with Adrian developed a little too quickly considering everything she had endured. I would have loved to see that part of their relationship unfold more gradually. Even so, it was an engaging read that kept me invested from beginning to end.

[Emily Knaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this one because it encapsulated many of my favorite tropes and it really didn’t let me down.

Elyse is brave, resilient, and fighting her way out of an abusive relationship, now on the run.Her strength is the heartbeat of the story. Adrian is sent to track her down and bring her back. But his past makes him question why she is really in danger and fiercely protective from the moment he sees who she really is. He falls first, he falls hard, and he never rushes her. Adrian is patient, respectful, and steady in every moment. He becomes her safe space, the one person who shows her what it feels like to be cared for without fear.

“You’re happiness, Elyse. Happiness I’m not entitled to. Happiness I stole. But I’ll give it up if that’s what keeps you safe.”

Mira is an absolute standout side character. A total badass with a mission, she’s the kind of woman who inspires you just by existing, giving survivors a place to land, rebuild, and breathe again.

The twists hit, the danger feels real, and the romance builds with that addictive tension that makes you read just one more chapter. A gripping, emotional story about survival, protection, and finding hope again.

Tangled Lies is that perfect mix of suspense and spice that keeps your heart racing for all the right reasons.

A huge thank you to Nikki Hailee and Luna Literary for the early copy!

[Angie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing debut for Nikki Hailee

She had me at the second chapter and won me over with the playlist. I love me some Shinedown!

This book had me whipping my eyes from the beginning. Elyse is someone you want to wrap up in a hug and say “You did good” to. She has been dealing with an abusive boyfriend for way too long. She has no one until she finally leaves.

Adrian is supposed to find Elyse and bring her back but he takes one look at her and decides he needs to protect her. Who wouldn’t want a man like that!

There are so many secrets between these two you wonder if they can make it work.

What’s inside:
🖤 Romantic suspense
🫣 Hidden identity
❤️‍🩹 Grief/Emotional healing
💔PTSD
❤️‍🔥Slow burn
🏃‍♀️She’s on the
🤫 Secrets & lies

He learns how to bleach her hair for her! He gives her fake tattoos and teaches her how to defend herself. He brings back the light she has lost in herself.

Thank you @author_nikkihaille and @lunaliterary.management for letting me get an early start on this book.

[Maya Mansour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangled Lies is an amazing romance book with suspense.

Elyse, a young woman who has lost her mother, lived with her abusive boyfriend. She tried to escape him many times through failed attempts and found herself always caught in the net of violence and submission. Until the day, she found her way out using a kitchen knife, unaware of her boyfriend's current situation, she becomes on the run and ends up with a fake identity, Julia.

Adrian, an investigator, was sent to bring her back to town for another cause. Parts of his past got him tangled up with Elyse and he was ready to drop his task and help the woman who stole his heart.

Lies that were following each one of them would definitely be hard on them, but will they be able to put it behind?

I loved the book especially that it showcased the number of women suffering from domestical abuse that are lonely in this world and need a hand. The world can be really cruel to a lot sometimes...

Thank you Luna Literary and Nikki Hailee for sending me the ARC of this book!

[Reece Andriese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tangled lies
Adrian and Elyse
She’s on the run he’s set to find her but both have a hidden past and certain miscamunications between them. He has job to get intell on Elyse and her whereabouts. Adrians job is to get Elyse back to her hometown to the safety because she’s a witness to a high profile case or at least that is what he was told.
Elyse was on the run thinking she fled from a situation that was not her happily ever after. She was trying to get away from an unhappy and unfortunate situation. Leaving her life behind and nothing in between.
Both Elyse and Adrian end up in small town and having one thing lead to another they seem to become more than strangers. There is a chemistry between them. They both have secrets that are interconnected and they have no clue about. They become each other’s salvation and face the consequences together. There’s twist and turns but in the end they seem to somehow come out of it the way it was meant to be.
I enjoyed this book it was a fun read also really like the plot twist.
⭐️/3.5 star read
🌶️/2 on the spice level.

[Chaptersxchill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had such a good time reading this! I was hooked almost immediately because I needed to know what Elyse was running from, and the suspense kept me turning the pages. The mix of mystery and romance was really well done, and I never felt like one overshadowed the other.

Adrian was easily my favorite part of the book. He’s such a sweetheart, and I loved how patient and caring he was with Elyse while still being protective when it counted. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I found myself rooting for them from the start.

I also really enjoyed the small-town setting and the emotional moments sprinkled throughout the story. Watching Elyse slowly learn to trust again made their relationship feel rewarding, and I appreciated the way the heavier themes were balanced with sweeter moments.

Overall, this was an engaging romantic suspense with lovable characters, plenty of chemistry, and just enough mystery to keep me invested. If you enjoy protective cinnamon roll heroes, hidden identities, and romance with a little suspense, this is definitely one to check out!

[Brittany Furnish · Rating 5 out of 5]

****ARC READER REVIEW****

I really enjoyed this book. From the very beginning, you’re thrown into Elyse’s desperate escape and the heavy secret she’s carrying, and it immediately sets a tense, emotional tone. Watching her struggle to figure out who she can trust and who might destroy her if she lets them too close, keeps you fully invested from the first few chapters. The push‑and‑pull between wanting safety and fearing exposure is gripping.

Adrian’s side of the story adds another layer of intensity. He’s supposed to track her down, not fall for her, and that conflict makes every interaction feel charged. I love stories where danger, vulnerability, and attraction collide, and this one delivers that beautifully. There’s a subtle vigilante edge to the plot that makes the stakes even higher and the payoff even more satisfying.

Overall, it’s a compelling, emotional read with characters you can’t help rooting for. Definitely worth picking up.

[Chelsey Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚠️ Check trigger warnings
🌶 Spicy

This has some unique spicy stuff such as tattoo play. I had never seen that before but it was interesting.

The pacing was slow and it made it hard to get into on occasion. There was alot of secrecy and very little communication. I felt like this could have been a more enjoyable read with healthy communication.

Adrian is asked to look for Elyse. He sees that she had some violence come her way and has a sane mind to not rush anything atleast. He was a good guy and I understood him when it all is explained. It just takes awhile for everything to make sense.

Elyse is grieving her mother and running from trauma from her ex. I was relieved to see her try for freedom but she really confused me on why she didn't attempt to look into what she was running from.

The antagonist show up right at the end and it seemed rushed. The way she carried on doing what Mira had done for her was a nice touch though.

* I received an ARC and am giving an honest review.

[Kahgreymom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Luna Literary and Nikki for the ARC opportunity!


I really enjoyed Tangles Lies! Nikki Hailee came out of the gate swinging on her debut novel.
She set the scene for real world situations and issues that happen every day. Don't forget the spice, we all love the spice, Spicer the better in some cases. Nikki Hailee has delivered. I picked up Tangles Lies because of the tropes but stayed till the end because the storyline. Elyse is coming out of a bad relationship and on the run. Adrian is sent to track her down and bring her back but everything changes when he meets Elyse. If you love a MMC who falls time and hard, Adrian is your man.

Tangles Lies has some great supporting characters that you will love. This is a great read, but warning it is an emotional roller-coaster.
















A huge thank you to Nikki Hailee and Luna Literary for the early copy!

[Amanda Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started with a lot of promise. The opening chapters immediately pulled me in, and I was excited to see where the story was headed. Unfortunately, as the story progressed, it slowly lost some of that momentum for me.

One of my biggest struggles was the pacing and predictability. I figured out pretty early that the abusive ex-boyfriend had hired Adriano; the reveal didn't have the impact I think it was intended to. I kept hoping for a twist that would prove me wrong, but it played out exactly as I expected.

I did enjoy the premise, and I think the story had a strong foundation. The beginning hooked me; there were definitely moments that kept me turning the pages. It just didn't maintain the same level of suspense or emotional impact that I'd hoped by the end.

Overall, this was a solid 3-star read for me. While it wasn't quite the right fit for my reading preferences, I think readers who enjoy romantic suspense and don't mind a more predictable mystery may still enjoy it.

[Alexandra Huot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a bit torn on how to rate this book, but I’ve decided to go with a 3 stars.

The story is good with a bit of morally grey MC who would do anything to protect the woman he loves and the pacing is right too. However, I didn't get as hooked as I’d hoped. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't bored while reading, but I was only truly on the edge of my seat during the final 10%. I also struggled to really feel the chemistry between the two characters for a good portion of the book. I would have like more depth between them but also from the MC's past and his link to the villain.

I’m the type of reader who always tries to guess what’s coming next, and I figured out the twist around the 45% mark. That’s not a flaw in itself, of course, but it’s always nice when the reveal comes as a surprise. Still, I enjoyed the read and really liked how things played out at the end.

I received an advance copy and I'm leaving my honest opinion voluntarily.

[Dani Readsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut book had me from the very first page. Elyse’s journey is heart-wrenching as she bravely stands up for herself against her abuser and goes on the run. Her path leads her to a small town where she encounters Adrian, who was initially sent to retrieve her by an old friend. However, upon seeing her bruised face earlier, Adrian instinctively follows her, sensing that something is not quite right and sets out to find out more about her.

We see their relationship grow into something amazing. Their chemistry is intense and, omg, steamy.
Although the twist felt somewhat predictable, it still added a satisfying layer to the story. I would have liked the final showdown drawn out a little bit longer but loved the epilogue!!!

Overall, I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author. A big thank you for providing the ARC.

[Dyslexic book dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and was shocked when I discovered it was Nikki’s first novel. It was a great read.
I was gripped by Elyse’s story and wanted her to find her happily ever after and finally have some peace from the moment I met her.
This was a slower-paced read with darker themes, but the tension building between Elyse and Adrian kept me hooked throughout the story.
Adrian, with all his secrets that always seemed just about to unravel, and the twists and turns in his storyline, really gave his character depth. I do think Elyse forgave him a little too quickly for keeping her in the dark about why he was really there, but I do enjoy seeing men grovel a bit more in books.
The spicy tattoo scene was hot and completely unexpected. It’s not something I’ve come across in a book before. I’ll definitely be following Nikki and looking forward to future books

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangled Lies by Nikki Hailee is a gripping romantic suspense novel filled with secrets, danger, betrayal, and the kind of emotional tension that I enjoy reading about. Set in the backdrop of Wolfe Springs, we get to follow the story of the FMC Elyse, a woman running from a dark past and the MMC Adrian, a man whose mission to find her becomes complicated when he begins to see the person behind the mystery. One of the thing I felt made this a strong read was the novels atmosphere. Hailee creates a story where trust is fragile and every character seems to be hiding something. Overall, Tangled Lies was an engaging debut romantic suspense novel that blends mystery, emotional depth, and romance into an intense reading experience.

I received an ARC copy from Luna Literacy. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!

[Julie Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from the author and luna literacy

Tangled Lies by Nikki Hailee

Tropes
Runaway FMC X Tracker MMC
Romantic suspense
He falls first
Cat daddy
Age gap
Secret identity
Trauma survivor and anxiety rep
Small town
Slow burn

Elyse has lost her mom and is on the run from her controlling abusive ex. The town that she ends up in has her at The Rose Diner where Mira looks at her and knows she needs help. Mira offers her some money for a motel room and a job waitressing. Adrian is a ex-police officer that works as a bounty hunter on occasion is sent to find her as she is a confidential informant. The minute Adrian sees her he wants to get to know her. As he learns more about Elyse, he goes from hunting her to wanting to help her and protect her. There are secrets, lies and very protective MMC this was a good debut novel.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

💔 DV survivor
🏃‍♀️ Runaway FMC
❤️‍🩹 Healing
🔥 Simmering chemistry

"I don't mind being your bad decision... if it means I get to be around you, I'll be your bad idea any day"

Elyse is running from a horrific DV relationship when she arrives in Wolfe Springs with blood on her hands and one very simple plan: lie low, make some cash, and keep moving.

Enter Adrian: charming, sunshine-coded, and very inconveniently hired to find her. He is also a devoted cat daddy to one extremely committed cockblocking cat (immediate green flag 😻) What should be a simple job gets complicated fast when the girl he is tracking starts cracking through every numb, carefully locked-away part of him.

Elyse and Adrian had me fully invested with their runaway x tracker tension, simmering chemistry, and that gorgeous thread of finding safety in someone when life has been anything but gentle. The pacing could be a little slow in places and a little too insta-love in others, but overall I really enjoyed the writing style. For a debut, this was so impressive, and I am excited to see what Nikki writes next.

[Serena Buss · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐ 3 🌶️
Tangled Lies is an emotional romantic suspense with some heavy themes. I love Elyse and Adrian's story! It's beautifully written, captivating, and easy to read!
I was hooked from the first chapter! I felt every emotion throughout this story.
This book does have some sensitive situations, so please read trigger warnings first! I feel like some women can relate to this story. If they do, I hope they have someone that will help them no questions asked just like Mira did for Elyse.
I also love how protective Adrian is for Elyse! He did everything he could to take care of her and keep her safe!
I love this story! Can't wait to read more from Nikki!
Thank you Nikki and Luna Literary for including me as an ARC reader!!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tangled Lies is a great debut novel by Nikki Hailee! Tangled Lies follows Elyse whose just escaped from her abusive boyfriend and is on the run following an altercation with him. Adrian the MMC is the one who has been sent to find Elyse, only to quickly realize things aren't as they appear to be. Instead of swooping in and taking her back he decides he needs to get to know her and protect her. Tangled Lies is a fast paced insta-lust novel with suspense and great spice including tattoo play (ikikik) and plenty of sweet moments to balance the heat, along with a great twist! I really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more books by Nikki in the future!
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you Nikki and Luna Literary Management for the ARC of Tangled Lies!

[deadlydogears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debut author Nikki Hailie has done it.

I’m sold.

Romance suspense and spice — it’s there!

Not only does he protect her, but he washes her hair! Adrian and Elyse are perfect for one another and their story was so captivating to read!

Read your content warnings before reading — I knew what I was walking into. That being said they were handled with care and respect. Nikki also includes resources at the end of the book. That being said I truly enjoyed reading this and read it in two days.

I’m telling you right now run don’t walk to add this book do your list, your shelf! It was so good!

Stars: 5/5
Spice: 4/5

[MistyWeezReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a debut novel, this was a solid read with a lot of potential! The story started off strong, slowed down a bit in the middle, but definitely picked back up toward the end, keeping me invested until the final pages. I would have loved a little more detailed storytelling and character development in some parts, as a few moments felt a bit rushed. That said, the overall story was enjoyable, and I’m excited to see what this author writes next.

Definitely check the trigger warnings before diving in—this book tackles some heavy and emotional topics that may not be for everyone. If you’re prepared for those themes, it’s worth giving this debut a chance!