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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
After hearing the online raves about this book, I finally ordered a copy from the local bookstore. I was not disappointed. This is a wonderful historical adventure novel. The heroine is an intrepid French spy. Traveling across France, she is trying to escape numerous enemies, who want to kill her. During her travels, she meets a British spy. Despite their mutual attraction, they are enemies. He wants to capture her and take her back to heroine. But Annique is a master spy and she is not easily caught. Their adventures make a entertaining plots. Annique is an intrepid and resourceful heroine. Great plot, great characters, and great atmosphere,you couldn't ask for more in a historical novel.
I loved pretty much everything about this book. I figured out the Big Twist about halfway through, which is unusual for me, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment.
I know it was typical or just more common place for a much older man to woo a very young lady, but I kept getting creeped out by how young she was described.
There were also barely any other ladies in the book with speaking roles and they seldom spoke to the protagonist (who, let's face it, was a bit inconsistent at the best of times).
And the cover image is just the worst.
Other than that, this was an interesting plot. Take away the love interest and I think the book would have been remarkably better and exceedingly more interesting.
There were also barely any other ladies in the book with speaking roles and they seldom spoke to the protagonist (who, let's face it, was a bit inconsistent at the best of times).
And the cover image is just the worst.
Other than that, this was an interesting plot. Take away the love interest and I think the book would have been remarkably better and exceedingly more interesting.
I thought I enjoyed this more last time
not a bad story, just prefer a different one i guess...
still gonna roll through the series because I have The Curiosity(tm)
not a bad story, just prefer a different one i guess...
still gonna roll through the series because I have The Curiosity(tm)
I'm between 3 and 4 stars... I think I'll give this book a 3.75.
First off, cover is awful, which kept me from reading it for a long time even though lots of people love this book... also, title is awful, so there's that.
But! I thought Annique was an interesting and unique heroine. (pretty unique, I guess I haven't read about many French heroines, but bits did remind me of Georgette Heyer, especially the humorous Dijon reference... did I catch that right?!) First of all, she's pretty spectacular and amazing but Bourne did a great job making her feel real. She had her flaws. I think it must be tough to create a heroine who is capable but not perfect. I admit I did feel frustrated when Annique was so powerless through much of the story even though she's one of the best spies. But not so much that I didn't like the book.
The parts that really shone for me were all the interactions with Grey, and when Adrien, Grey, and Annique worked together. That was fun. Most of the side characters were fantastic/lovable.
Villains--well, they're pretty much card board cut out evil people. Not too real but I didn't care too much.
Twists--wow, the surprises! I wasn't expecting so many surprises! I loved them all. Especially the sweet Robert thing. Insert huge heart eyes emoji here.
Writing--ok, I've read a fair deal of romance but not a ton so I'm not sure I'm the best judge... but, the writing seemed lush and gorgeous and so well done to me! Very unique and beautiful. Not clunky.
First off, cover is awful, which kept me from reading it for a long time even though lots of people love this book... also, title is awful, so there's that.
But! I thought Annique was an interesting and unique heroine. (pretty unique, I guess I haven't read about many French heroines, but bits did remind me of Georgette Heyer, especially the humorous Dijon reference... did I catch that right?!) First of all, she's pretty spectacular and amazing but Bourne did a great job making her feel real. She had her flaws. I think it must be tough to create a heroine who is capable but not perfect. I admit I did feel frustrated when Annique was so powerless through much of the story even though she's one of the best spies. But not so much that I didn't like the book.
The parts that really shone for me were all the interactions with Grey, and when Adrien, Grey, and Annique worked together. That was fun. Most of the side characters were fantastic/lovable.
Villains--well, they're pretty much card board cut out evil people. Not too real but I didn't care too much.
Twists--wow, the surprises! I wasn't expecting so many surprises! I loved them all. Especially the sweet Robert thing. Insert huge heart eyes emoji here.
Writing--ok, I've read a fair deal of romance but not a ton so I'm not sure I'm the best judge... but, the writing seemed lush and gorgeous and so well done to me! Very unique and beautiful. Not clunky.
This just wasn't for me. I liked the initial set-up with French spy vs. British spy and the setting, and that's enough for me to not write off the series entirely (although I don't plan on continuing with it right away), but man, the romance just didn't work for me at all. There was too much of a power imbalance with Annique being captured (and even drugged) by Grey for most of the book for me to be comfortable with. I also basically always hate the trope of the heroine saying she doesn't want to be with the hero but secretly does and the hero knows it so he doesn't take her rejection seriously — it's so gross, I hate it every time. I didn't buy Annique and Grey being in love, or even that she'd be so attracted to him from the start. I can see why this book has its fans, and I think I even would've been more on its wavelength like 10 years ago, but this just wasn't for me. I am interested in Adrian and Doyle's romances, though, so I may read further in the series eventually.
Spoiler
I thought it was interesting to have a blind heroine but was worried based on how the condition came about that the author would be tempted to have her regain her sight, so of COURSE that's what ended up happening. I did like the ending twist of her having been working for the British unknowingly all along (although I don't see how if her parents were SO helpful to the British, how they could also be so valued as French spies? Eventually the French would have to catch on, you would think?).
What can I say? I love a good trashy romance novel.
The "Spymaster" novels by Bourne are perfect..because they combine just the right amount of romance without sacrificing plot. These are great books if you like romance, but don't want to read something that is horribly written or full of sniveling drivel.
Excellent work!
The "Spymaster" novels by Bourne are perfect..because they combine just the right amount of romance without sacrificing plot. These are great books if you like romance, but don't want to read something that is horribly written or full of sniveling drivel.
Excellent work!
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This has aged ok, there's definitely more sexual assault threats/dubious consent than I would have wanted but I also found it pretty compelling.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault