When We Lied by Claire Contreras Summary

When We Lied by Claire Contreras is a contemporary hockey romance that blends steamy passion with a suspenseful mystery. The story follows professional hockey player Finneas Barlow and influencer Josslyn, who shared one intense night together four years ago before tragedy struck—Finn's sister died in a fire at the club where they met. When Finn returns to Fairview seeking answers about his sister's death, he suspects Josslyn holds secrets, reigniting their explosive connection while they uncover the truth together.

Claire Contreras is a New York Times bestselling author known for her emotionally charged contemporary romance novels. In When We Lied, she employs dual perspectives alternating between both main characters, allowing readers deep access to their thoughts and motivations. Her writing features sharp, witty dialogue, intense spice, and masterful foreshadowing that builds suspense throughout. Contreras excels at weaving mystery elements into romance, creating stories with both emotional depth and edge-of-your-seat tension.

When We Lied by Claire Contreras is perfect for readers who love steamy hockey romances with added mystery and suspense. This book appeals to fans of possessive, grumpy heroes who fall first, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, and dual POV storytelling. Readers seeking high-heat romance combined with thriller elements, complex family dynamics, and jaw-dropping plot twists will find this compelling. It's ideal for those who enjoy sports romance but crave deeper storylines beyond typical sports tropes.

When We Lied by Claire Contreras is absolutely worth reading for romance and mystery fans. Readers consistently praise the unexpected thriller twist, steamy chemistry between Finn and Josslyn, and the slow-burn mystery that explodes in the final chapters. The book successfully balances elite-level spice with genuine emotional connection and suspenseful storytelling. Most reviewers completed it within 1-2 days, unable to put it down, highlighting its addictive pacing and satisfying resolution to both the romance and mystery elements.

The central mystery in When We Lied revolves around the death of Mallory, Finn's sister, who died in a fire at a nightclub four years before the main timeline. The official report ruled it an accident or possible suicide, but both Finn and Josslyn believe it was foul play. Throughout the book, flashback scenes gradually reveal what happened that tragic night, with clues and secrets slowly emerging. The mystery has unexpected twists that most readers don't anticipate, culminating in revelations that impact multiple characters' lives.

Finn and Josslyn embody a grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers dynamic with intense physical chemistry. When We Lied features a "he falls first" romance where Finn becomes obsessed with Josslyn, even stalking her social media despite initially suspecting her involvement in his sister's death. Their relationship balances power dynamics—he's dominant and possessive while she's confident and assertive, refusing to break for anyone except him. The romance includes jealousy-driven encounters, tender moments between steamy scenes, and gradual trust-building as they bond over shared trauma.

• "Fuck divine timing" captures Finn's impatience and intense desire to be with Josslyn, showing his disregard for waiting.
• "I want you on your knees" reveals Finn's dominant, possessive nature and sets the tone for their unconventional relationship.
• "I'm here because I'm bored. The offer remains because I still want to fuck you" showcases Finn's blunt arrogance while demonstrating his undeniable attraction.

These quotes reflect the raw, unapologetic passion and power dynamics central to When We Lied by Claire Contreras.

When We Lied by Claire Contreras delivers exceptionally high heat levels with abundant steamy scenes throughout. The book opens with a sex club scene just 6% in, establishing the intense spice immediately. Readers describe the romance as having "elite spice" and being "steamy y'all" with plenty of explicit content. Finn's possessive, dominant personality translates into passionate encounters with Josslyn. Some reviewers noted certain love scenes felt slightly rushed, though overall the sexual tension and chemistry remain consistently scorching from beginning to end.

When We Lied is the second book in Claire Contreras' Fairview Hockey series but works as a complete standalone romance. The book is set in the same world as "Until I Get You," the first Fairview Hockey novel, but follows entirely different main characters with their own self-contained story. Readers don't need prior knowledge of the series to fully enjoy When We Lied—all mysteries are resolved and the romance reaches its satisfying conclusion within this single book.

Some readers found certain love scenes in When We Lied felt rushed or cut off at awkward moments, making them feel unfinished despite the overall steam level. The mystery element follows a slow pace through most of the book before accelerating rapidly in the final chapters, which some may find uneven. A few reviewers mentioned the pacing shift between the gradual buildup and intense finale took adjustment. However, these critiques are minor compared to overwhelming praise for the suspense, chemistry, and unexpected plot twists.

When We Lied by Claire Contreras distinguishes itself from typical hockey romances by incorporating a significant thriller and mystery element alongside the sports romance. While many hockey books focus primarily on team dynamics and athletic storylines, this novel centers on investigating a suspicious death with genuine suspense and plot twists. The combination of possessive anti-hero, crime investigation, and high-heat romance creates a darker, more complex tone than lighter hockey rom-coms. It appeals to readers wanting both athletic swagger and edge-of-your-seat intrigue.

The sex club in When We Lied serves as the crucial setting where Finn and Josslyn first meet and where the tragic fire that kills Mallory occurs. Josslyn attends with friends including Mallory and her boyfriend Tate, who suggests they experiment with others. This location establishes the provocative, boundary-pushing tone while becoming the crime scene at the story's center. The club represents both the beginning of Finn and Josslyn's connection and the tragedy that tears them apart, creating symbolic tension between pleasure and pain throughout their relationship.