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sofialvarez's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
prgchrqltma's review against another edition
4.0
I read this first, so it gets the review. I had a hard time initially, because this must have originally been a serial. Every time the point of view changes, we go backward in the plot, so it didn't move forward as quickly as I would like. I got used to that, and the plot picked up, but it was a little rough going. I did finish all 3.5 books in two days, though, so I definitely liked it.
Of course, I liked the very competent main characters with weapons, and they are thoroughly explored in the series. I do wish that they would use their words more, especially when each feels the relationship is in peril. I'm going to continue into Matheson and Theo's story.
Of course, I liked the very competent main characters with weapons, and they are thoroughly explored in the series. I do wish that they would use their words more, especially when each feels the relationship is in peril. I'm going to continue into Matheson and Theo's story.
haletostilinski1's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Okay, I was tempted to give this 4 stars because these two were HOT AF together and had crazy good chemistry and I lOVED their scenes together. They were the best part of the story. But also...it annoyed me a lot. The plot and the writing style. There were so! many! exclamation! points! like there was even one point where it says they "whispered" something to the other but it ended with an exclamation point. Like??? Stop having them shout all the time. The period is your friend, pls use it.
Also, I don't even know if this qualifies as a "happy for now" ending because they aren't even close to being together at the end? I mean, they are both in a "i want only you right now" place, but...this book spent a lot of pages and words on repeating itself. Like, I love dual POV's as much as the next person, but it would give us events in on chapter from Mark's POV, or vice versa, and then the next chapter would be from the other's POV of the events of their day/days leading up to that event, but then that event from the other's POV. It kinda took me out of the story at times. Because I kinda felt like...okay, I've already read this, I don't need to read it again, even if it is from a different POV. Also, it detailed Mark and Quinn's sexual encounters with others a few times, and fine, they're with others at first and before each other, I get that, but I don't need to read full on sex between them and other people. This story is about them, ya know? Ugh, it was just frustrating.
Also, it repeated things a bit, like "that time on my birthday when Quinn sucked me off in the bathroom" like I didn't already know that? Uh, hello, I know what happened. Also, did I need a full scene of flashbacks to what happened in the past with them? These were instances when it would have been just fine to tell instead of show. I did not care to read full scenes about these other side characters and how they related to Mark or Quinn in the past. Just tell the reader about it, no need to show every goddamn thing.
And as for the plot, I got it, but I was expecting more of a...adversarial relationship between Quinn and Mark? I mean, they had some moments, but...overall it didn't feel like a love/hate thing or a enemies to lovers thing at all, which the title and the blurb suggested it would be. I still loved them anyway, but there was barely any of the "vs" between them. Also, it kinda ends a little abruptly? I thought we would get to a cliffhanger type thing at the end with what is happening plot wise with the two spy agencies, but that isn't what happened.
There was just too much to be annoyed about with this book to have truly loved it, which bums me out because Mark and Quinn were electric together. The story around them didn't support them or their characters well, which sucked.
At this point, I dunno if I'll continue the series. I'll think about it, because I love these two so much. But I dunno...
Okay, I was tempted to give this 4 stars because these two were HOT AF together and had crazy good chemistry and I lOVED their scenes together. They were the best part of the story. But also...it annoyed me a lot. The plot and the writing style. There were so! many! exclamation! points! like there was even one point where it says they "whispered" something to the other but it ended with an exclamation point. Like??? Stop having them shout all the time. The period is your friend, pls use it.
Also, I don't even know if this qualifies as a "happy for now" ending because they aren't even close to being together at the end? I mean, they are both in a "i want only you right now" place, but...this book spent a lot of pages and words on repeating itself. Like, I love dual POV's as much as the next person, but it would give us events in on chapter from Mark's POV, or vice versa, and then the next chapter would be from the other's POV of the events of their day/days leading up to that event, but then that event from the other's POV. It kinda took me out of the story at times. Because I kinda felt like...okay, I've already read this, I don't need to read it again, even if it is from a different POV. Also, it detailed Mark and Quinn's sexual encounters with others a few times, and fine, they're with others at first and before each other, I get that, but I don't need to read full on sex between them and other people. This story is about them, ya know? Ugh, it was just frustrating.
Also, it repeated things a bit, like "that time on my birthday when Quinn sucked me off in the bathroom" like I didn't already know that? Uh, hello, I know what happened. Also, did I need a full scene of flashbacks to what happened in the past with them? These were instances when it would have been just fine to tell instead of show. I did not care to read full scenes about these other side characters and how they related to Mark or Quinn in the past. Just tell the reader about it, no need to show every goddamn thing.
And as for the plot, I got it, but I was expecting more of a...adversarial relationship between Quinn and Mark? I mean, they had some moments, but...overall it didn't feel like a love/hate thing or a enemies to lovers thing at all, which the title and the blurb suggested it would be. I still loved them anyway, but there was barely any of the "vs" between them. Also, it kinda ends a little abruptly? I thought we would get to a cliffhanger type thing at the end with what is happening plot wise with the two spy agencies, but that isn't what happened.
There was just too much to be annoyed about with this book to have truly loved it, which bums me out because Mark and Quinn were electric together. The story around them didn't support them or their characters well, which sucked.
At this point, I dunno if I'll continue the series. I'll think about it, because I love these two so much. But I dunno...
fleurette's review against another edition
3.0
***Don’t read the blurb for this book. It reveals the only plot twist in this story.***
I enjoyed reading this book, but now that I've finished it, I'm able to admit it's not that good. This is a slightly missed opportunity. I'm a bit disappointed.
I don't even know where to start. I really want to start with the character and plotline, but I think I will start with what catches the eye from the very beginning and what probably bothers everyone most. From the strange and probably not entirely thought out construction of this book.
We have two main characters here - Mark and Quinton. The story is told alternately from the perspective of both. What's the problem? Typically, in this case, the Quinton chapter should begin where Mark's chapter ended. But this is not the case here. The Quinton chapter from the beginning tells everything that happened in Mark's chapter, only from the perspective of Quinton this time. As a result, we read about the same events twice. We read the same dialogues twice. We watch everything twice. It's completely useless. Of course, this allows us to get to know the main characters very well, but it's so annoying. I am not sure if this is true (and I admit I did not check it), but it seems to me that this book was created on some online platform for fanfiction on which you can publish chapters of the book on a free access basis. It feels like a serialized novel. This format didn’t work for me at all. And I think that it was also the basis for my second and probably the biggest problem with this book.
Namely, the lack of a plot. How come having two such interesting heroes this book has no plot? Don't get me wrong, I like the game between Mark and Quinton. But I was waiting all the time for them to work together or something. And in vain. By God, Mark and Quinton are two excellent special agents, but they don't handle a single interesting case that we can read about in this book! You would expect it to be different. Blurb suggested that Mark's life may be threatened and I had high hopes for it, but again in vain. Not only the villain is obvious from the very beginning, but he also accidentally kills himself rather quickly. Can you imagine?! This book doesn't need two such good agents as Mark and Quinton. There is nothing here but an unfinished love thread.
Reading this book was not an unpleasant experience. I honestly like Mark and Quinton, and that was the only thing that saved this book. That's why I decided to give it three stars. But I don't care whether I read the next book or not.
I enjoyed reading this book, but now that I've finished it, I'm able to admit it's not that good. This is a slightly missed opportunity. I'm a bit disappointed.
I don't even know where to start. I really want to start with the character and plotline, but I think I will start with what catches the eye from the very beginning and what probably bothers everyone most. From the strange and probably not entirely thought out construction of this book.
We have two main characters here - Mark and Quinton. The story is told alternately from the perspective of both. What's the problem? Typically, in this case, the Quinton chapter should begin where Mark's chapter ended. But this is not the case here. The Quinton chapter from the beginning tells everything that happened in Mark's chapter, only from the perspective of Quinton this time. As a result, we read about the same events twice. We read the same dialogues twice. We watch everything twice. It's completely useless. Of course, this allows us to get to know the main characters very well, but it's so annoying. I am not sure if this is true (and I admit I did not check it), but it seems to me that this book was created on some online platform for fanfiction on which you can publish chapters of the book on a free access basis. It feels like a serialized novel. This format didn’t work for me at all. And I think that it was also the basis for my second and probably the biggest problem with this book.
Namely, the lack of a plot. How come having two such interesting heroes this book has no plot? Don't get me wrong, I like the game between Mark and Quinton. But I was waiting all the time for them to work together or something. And in vain. By God, Mark and Quinton are two excellent special agents, but they don't handle a single interesting case that we can read about in this book! You would expect it to be different. Blurb suggested that Mark's life may be threatened and I had high hopes for it, but again in vain. Not only the villain is obvious from the very beginning, but he also accidentally kills himself rather quickly. Can you imagine?! This book doesn't need two such good agents as Mark and Quinton. There is nothing here but an unfinished love thread.
Reading this book was not an unpleasant experience. I honestly like Mark and Quinton, and that was the only thing that saved this book. That's why I decided to give it three stars. But I don't care whether I read the next book or not.
ktomp17's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! Quinn and Mark are so great together. This book had a bunch of the denial of feelings and thinking they were just trying to get one over the other. They were very clever in their interactions and I loved their chemistry. The only thing that would have driven me crazy if I didn't have book 2 ready to go is that the ending is very much more of a TBC rather than an ending to a book. Not so much a cliffhanger and an incomplete. Books 2 and 3 are worth it for sure though.
clak5686's review against another edition
4.0
I adored this first book in the Spy vs. Spooks series. It took a little getting used to the switch in POV an the naming of the chapters with sub-chapters with roman numerals. That aside, I absolutely loved Mark Vincent (spy) and Quinton Mann (spook). They are so very different but yet they are each others equal. I found the mind games in the beginning very interesting and felt they were an excellent lead in to the beginning of their relationship. The first book left me wanting more.
isalaur's review against another edition
5.0
Really enjoyed this new to me series
Not sure how I stumbled across this series but I’m so glad I did. Really enjoyed this first book and will be jumping right into the next one.
I love both MCs and can’t wait to learn more about them. The whole dynamic of CIA vs this even more dark intelligence agency is fun and mysterious. Love all the intrigue. The idea of two men who by nature don’t and can’t trust others put in a position by their feelings of needing to do so intrigues me. Mark also seems to have a backstory that we will get more information on in book two. Quinn is still a bit of a mystery to me with his dual jobs...still don’t quite have a handle on what he does. And I really love his mother!
The only thing I’m not sure I like is the timing. The book takes place in 2002 which presents some limitations in terms of technology. The copyright in my book says 2017 so I have to assume it is a re-issue. There is ‘t a lot that stands out as dated but what there is is jarring and momentarily takes me out of the story, always a cardinal sin for me. It’s not as bad as it could be.
Not sure how I stumbled across this series but I’m so glad I did. Really enjoyed this first book and will be jumping right into the next one.
I love both MCs and can’t wait to learn more about them. The whole dynamic of CIA vs this even more dark intelligence agency is fun and mysterious. Love all the intrigue. The idea of two men who by nature don’t and can’t trust others put in a position by their feelings of needing to do so intrigues me. Mark also seems to have a backstory that we will get more information on in book two. Quinn is still a bit of a mystery to me with his dual jobs...still don’t quite have a handle on what he does. And I really love his mother!
The only thing I’m not sure I like is the timing. The book takes place in 2002 which presents some limitations in terms of technology. The copyright in my book says 2017 so I have to assume it is a re-issue. There is ‘t a lot that stands out as dated but what there is is jarring and momentarily takes me out of the story, always a cardinal sin for me. It’s not as bad as it could be.
drizzlerains's review against another edition
4.0
Oh, I didn't expect this book is good enough. but well, it is! although sometimes the times chancing little confusing a bit. I love Mark, I Love Quinn. I love the way they want each other but they hate each other. for me this book have funny, sweet, annoying side. so far so good enough
calila's review against another edition
2.0
This book is so repetitive and recaps what just happened pages before so much. I didn't mind the altering POVs or the backtracking to show the same scenes from both POVs, where it got tedious was when the POVs didn't switch and the same info was being dumped that had just been mentioned 2 chapters ago. And not in a way that means it just became relative to the plot just as an oh by the way here's some more information. The characters were okay, I had a little trouble with who was who and whose head was I in at any given moment. They are very similar so there's not as much distinction as I would've liked. But I did like them. I did really enjoy the cat-and-mouse game they played with each other. They aren't particularly "good guys" especially Mark. He is way too happy and eager to play judge and executioner. But I did like the side characters. And against my better judgement I know I'll read the second in the series.
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