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coffeenebula's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
jillmlong's review against another edition
2.0
I had a difficult time getting into this book. There was nothing interesting about the characters. They were quite dull and boring. The plot had a lot of holes in it that made the story feel very far fetched.
drpig's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
andrea_author's review against another edition
5.0
Using the sobriquet Lady Sterling, Laura steals from predatory noblemen to provide for the women they've abused. Codebreaker Jeremy, who's recently come into the title Lord Sterling, is assigned to track her down and see if she'll take on a role spying for the crown. When her next mark turns out to be a suspected traitor, Laura and Jeremy work together to take him down, posing as newlyweds. As the attraction between them heats up, it looks like their fake romance might turn real—if they can stay alive long enough to fall in love.
This book has a lot of the things I love: a feminist heroine, a bookish hero, witty banter, strong characterization, and low-key suspense. This isn't the kind of book that keeps you on the edge of your seat—it's the kind you curl up with along with your favorite beverage for a pleasurable read.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book has a lot of the things I love: a feminist heroine, a bookish hero, witty banter, strong characterization, and low-key suspense. This isn't the kind of book that keeps you on the edge of your seat—it's the kind you curl up with along with your favorite beverage for a pleasurable read.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
ladynightwolf's review
3.0
I love Susanna Craig's Love and Let Spy series. Who's That Earl was absolutely spectacular, as was One Thing Leads to a Lover. Better Off Wed was also pretty good, although it was much slower than the other two, and the stakes seemed a little less high due to the nature of the characters, unfortunately. It doesn't make me any less excited for the fourth installment of this series, but it did feel like a placeholder compared to the other two books. I would have liked more intrigue and scenery and I feel like the characters could have been more fleshed out. However, General Scott seemed even more enigmatic in this one than in previous and that in and of itself is an intriguing concept going into the next book.
wildfaeriecaps's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, let me start this off by saying that I have been eagerly anticipating this book for months now. The instant I finished One Thing Leads to a Lover, I was ready for this book. Susanna Craig is an insta-buy author for me and one of my very favorite historical romance authors.
So, Better Off Wed. Lady thief? Check. Lady thief who targets awful men in the interest of helping the women they've wronged. CHECK. How could I not adore Laura? She's clever and brave and intrepid. Enter Jeremy. Oh, Jeremy. Bookish, kind, trustworthy, shy, somewhat unsure, gentlemanly Jeremy. Look, I was lost from the start with that one. Add that he's utterly devoted to doing what's right and... who wouldn't swoon?
I really enjoyed the evolution of their relationship. Fake marriage isn't my favorite trope--far from it, actually. But in this book? It was done so well that I forgot I don't care for it. Laura and Jeremy enter into their roles as actors with constantly changing parts. It. Was. Amazing. And the theater references? *chef's kiss*
Basically, as I expected going into this, there wasn't a thing I didn't love. I laughed out loud--often. I swooned at the romance, fanned myself at the *very hot* sex scenes, and got teary eyed with emotion. I don't know how she does it, but every Susanna Craig book I read is even better than the previous. Her work is amazing.
So, Better Off Wed. Lady thief? Check. Lady thief who targets awful men in the interest of helping the women they've wronged. CHECK. How could I not adore Laura? She's clever and brave and intrepid. Enter Jeremy. Oh, Jeremy. Bookish, kind, trustworthy, shy, somewhat unsure, gentlemanly Jeremy. Look, I was lost from the start with that one. Add that he's utterly devoted to doing what's right and... who wouldn't swoon?
I really enjoyed the evolution of their relationship. Fake marriage isn't my favorite trope--far from it, actually. But in this book? It was done so well that I forgot I don't care for it. Laura and Jeremy enter into their roles as actors with constantly changing parts. It. Was. Amazing. And the theater references? *chef's kiss*
Basically, as I expected going into this, there wasn't a thing I didn't love. I laughed out loud--often. I swooned at the romance, fanned myself at the *very hot* sex scenes, and got teary eyed with emotion. I don't know how she does it, but every Susanna Craig book I read is even better than the previous. Her work is amazing.
redhead_haze's review against another edition
5.0
"As I tried to tell you before, it was not he who asked me to find you."
"Who, then?"
"Someone who found it amusing to send Lord Sterling in pursuit of Lady Sterling."
Genre: historical romance
Tropes: reluctant allies, one bed, fake marriage, forced proximity
Series: Love and Let Spy #3 (can be enjoyed as a stand-alone)
Cliffhanger: No
Spice: 2/5
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
I have received an ARC through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and left voluntarily. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy.
"Outrageousness can itself be a distraction."
This book was a delight! I couldn't put it down and I'm really looking forward to read the rest of the series! It was a definite page-turner and I enjoyed every second of it. It's the first time I'm trying something from this author and, even though Better Off Wed is #3 in a series, it was a great stand-alone that made me want to read the previous two books as well. And I'll definitely pick up future works signed by Susanna Craig.
》》The Plot《《
Laura Hopkins is a young lady who, assuming the alias of Lady Sterling, has decided to avenge the girls who have been mistreated or compromised by their employers. Even though some may call it theft and blackmail, Laura considers it the least bit of justice those girls deserve.
Captain Jeremy Addison, ex army and current spy for the Crown is surprised when his superior delegates him to find the notorious Lady Sterling and persuade her to lend her abilities as a spy for the Crown as well. Especially since the reason he was chosen for this job was his viscount title: Lord Sterling.
So when the two of them meet and are forced to pose as newlyweds, thing get interesting. Forming unexpected alliances, spying, playing chess, sharing one bed and being in a constant state of admiration and distrust are just the tip of the iceberg.
"It sounds like the plot of one of those ridiculous plays Aunt Mildred and Julia adore."
"It sounds like a happy ending."
I loved this waaaay more than I was anticipating and I thought it had the perfect balance of romance and mystery. It was fast-paced, but the relationship between Laura and Jeremy wasn't rushed, as it was developed marvelously and in such a way that it wasn't only enviable, but also believable.
"Stab him, you mean?"
"Yes, indeed."
"Good heavens! Where?"
"In whatever soft spot he is ungentelmanly enough to expose to you."
The side characters were also pretty well portrayed and the general feeling of authenticity was a great plus. There were lots of great scenes, like the moment they had to start playing newlyweds, discovering the peculiar set of chess or unexpectedly being poked by a book while kissing, the dialogs were always smart and enjoyable and the ending was fulfilling and nice.
》》 Characters and Relationships《《
"Who, then?"
"Someone who found it amusing to send Lord Sterling in pursuit of Lady Sterling."
Genre: historical romance
Tropes: reluctant allies, one bed, fake marriage, forced proximity
Series: Love and Let Spy #3 (can be enjoyed as a stand-alone)
Cliffhanger: No
Spice: 2/5
Rating: 4.5 ⭐
I have received an ARC through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and left voluntarily. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy.
"Outrageousness can itself be a distraction."
This book was a delight! I couldn't put it down and I'm really looking forward to read the rest of the series! It was a definite page-turner and I enjoyed every second of it. It's the first time I'm trying something from this author and, even though Better Off Wed is #3 in a series, it was a great stand-alone that made me want to read the previous two books as well. And I'll definitely pick up future works signed by Susanna Craig.
》》The Plot《《
Laura Hopkins is a young lady who, assuming the alias of Lady Sterling, has decided to avenge the girls who have been mistreated or compromised by their employers. Even though some may call it theft and blackmail, Laura considers it the least bit of justice those girls deserve.
Captain Jeremy Addison, ex army and current spy for the Crown is surprised when his superior delegates him to find the notorious Lady Sterling and persuade her to lend her abilities as a spy for the Crown as well. Especially since the reason he was chosen for this job was his viscount title: Lord Sterling.
So when the two of them meet and are forced to pose as newlyweds, thing get interesting. Forming unexpected alliances, spying, playing chess, sharing one bed and being in a constant state of admiration and distrust are just the tip of the iceberg.
"It sounds like the plot of one of those ridiculous plays Aunt Mildred and Julia adore."
"It sounds like a happy ending."
I loved this waaaay more than I was anticipating and I thought it had the perfect balance of romance and mystery. It was fast-paced, but the relationship between Laura and Jeremy wasn't rushed, as it was developed marvelously and in such a way that it wasn't only enviable, but also believable.
"Stab him, you mean?"
"Yes, indeed."
"Good heavens! Where?"
"In whatever soft spot he is ungentelmanly enough to expose to you."
The side characters were also pretty well portrayed and the general feeling of authenticity was a great plus. There were lots of great scenes, like the moment they had to start playing newlyweds, discovering the peculiar set of chess or unexpectedly being poked by a book while kissing, the dialogs were always smart and enjoyable and the ending was fulfilling and nice.
》》 Characters and Relationships《《
simira's review against another edition
3.0
Cute story that actually tied in a few things with from the previous book. I was hoping to see some actual code breaking but no such luck.
rainelle_barrett's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved all the excitement and adventures of the romance with Laura and Jeremy. I thought the action was moderate and very entertaining. The characters are charming and funny. The romance was kind, sweet and very intimate.