Truth and Lies

The setting adds a gritty edge to the romance, but I wonder whether that was always the plan or evolved during writing. Did it influence the pacing?

There were moments where I questioned what was real versus what was spun by the character's own biases. Was this intentional to mirror the theme of truth and lies?

The pacing of revelations kept me hooked, but I wonder if the author planned this structure from the start or let it develop organically.