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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This one had an intriguing premise and a couple with electric chemistry, and yet there were still some elements that fell flat for me.
Similar to The Blonde Identity, this book follows a woman who gets wrapped up into an international espionage scheme with a handsome stranger after the discovery that her sister, with whom she bears an uncanny resemblance, is a spy. However, the strong point of this story is undoubtedly the dynamic between Dove and Mendez. Their chemistry felt believable on the page from early on, and their interactions were some of my favorite moments throughout the book.
And yet the parts I enjoyed were not executed as well as I would have liked. While Mendez and Dove had a fun dynamic, it felt like their relationship developed much too quickly. The main issue for me is that their big conflict in the story happens within the same day as the biggest steps in their relationship. Such an extreme back and forth got to be frustrating.
Another of the things I struggled with was Dove's internal monologue. She's an ethical hacker of sorts, which is a fun trait for a leading character to have, but I felt like her narration became bogged down with *too* many technical details. I understand wanting to bring a level of authenticity to the character, but too much technical jargon can take me out of a story (which may be more of an issue with me than with the book itself). Dove also spent a lot of time second guessing and agonizing over whether Mendez was genuine with his feelings. This is another train of thought that I, on some level, understand. But it felt like at times that she spent too much time wondering about Mendez's feelings when there were more pressing things at stake.
All in all, I do not think that this was a bad book at all. The first third hooks you immediately, but unfortunately the rest dragged for me. That being said, knowing the character pairing for book two, I am excited to pick that one up when it comes out.
Ultimately, I think this should be one you read and judge for yourself, but if you want my recommendation for a good spy romance, I would encourage you to pick up The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter instead.
Similar to The Blonde Identity, this book follows a woman who gets wrapped up into an international espionage scheme with a handsome stranger after the discovery that her sister, with whom she bears an uncanny resemblance, is a spy. However, the strong point of this story is undoubtedly the dynamic between Dove and Mendez. Their chemistry felt believable on the page from early on, and their interactions were some of my favorite moments throughout the book.
And yet the parts I enjoyed were not executed as well as I would have liked. While Mendez and Dove had a fun dynamic, it felt like their relationship developed much too quickly. The main issue for me is that their big conflict in the story happens within the same day as the biggest steps in their relationship. Such an extreme back and forth got to be frustrating.
Another of the things I struggled with was Dove's internal monologue. She's an ethical hacker of sorts, which is a fun trait for a leading character to have, but I felt like her narration became bogged down with *too* many technical details. I understand wanting to bring a level of authenticity to the character, but too much technical jargon can take me out of a story (which may be more of an issue with me than with the book itself). Dove also spent a lot of time second guessing and agonizing over whether Mendez was genuine with his feelings. This is another train of thought that I, on some level, understand. But it felt like at times that she spent too much time wondering about Mendez's feelings when there were more pressing things at stake.
All in all, I do not think that this was a bad book at all. The first third hooks you immediately, but unfortunately the rest dragged for me. That being said, knowing the character pairing for book two, I am excited to pick that one up when it comes out.
Ultimately, I think this should be one you read and judge for yourself, but if you want my recommendation for a good spy romance, I would encourage you to pick up The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter instead.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
💻 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙥𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 💻
𝖳𝗂𝖺𝗇𝖺 𝖲𝗆𝗂𝗍𝗁
I haven’t read many if any spy romances, but I have to say they are perfect for creating the angst we all love (or hate). Plus spies are always sexy…it just is what it is! This is a low spice, high anticipation romance that I found I couldn’t put down! It releases on February 13th! Thank you to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the advanced copy!
Dove Barkley, a cyber security analyst, is thrust into a perilous government mission when mistaken for her super-spy sister. Teaming up with her sister's attractive partner, Mendez, Dove faces trained assassins and a looming national tragedy. As she grapples with the urgency to save her sister, doubts arise about Mendez's true identity. In this heart-pounding romantic comedy, Dove must navigate espionage, danger, and her growing attraction to Mendez to prevent a catastrophic end for herself and her sister.
Like I said, there is a lot of anticipation in this one with a bit of a slow burn after an initial “warm up” but it never goes beyond some intense make out sessions. The sisterly bond between Dove and Madison is strong as they both grew up in the foster system and they are all each other really has, plus they are both badasses in their own way. Mendez is swoony for sure! Give this one a read!
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
lighthearted
slow-paced
Dove is a penetration tester (insert joke here) which means she’s an honest hacker testing out business’ cyber security. She loves the work and the solitude that comes with it. Dove has a great opportunity to have a spotlight shown on her profession when a journalist interviews her. Later she is to meet her sister for dinner and arrives at the restaurant early to load up on the bread, it’s free and so yummy. While waiting for her sister, a mysterious man sits at her table and gives her a case then starts telling things she doesn’t understand. Then suddenly someone comes into the restaurant and starts shooting, killing the unknown man with her and then someone else starts shooting at the ones shooting at her. Dove escapes and in the ally is the journalist with a motorcycle, but she finds out his name is really Mendez and not Olsen. But that’s not all, Mendez is undercover CIA and needs her help with an op since her sister, who is also CIA has gone into hiding. Dove has to figure out who to trust, use all her hacking knowledge to help Mendez, and avoid getting shot, all the while trying to figure out if her sister is a traitor.
I believe this book is supposed to be a romcom but as I was reading it, it felt more like a cozy spy thriller with very little romance. The story moved pretty quickly and kept me engaged. There were times when the story it felt awkward between Dove and Mendez. Chan was a character that didn’t seem to add very much to the story. I hope that his character will grow in the next book. I really liked the idea of a female hacker that uses her skills in a positive way and that the character the stereotypical cocky egotistical hacker nor was it one that resembled a zombie sustaining on Mountain Dew and beef jerky. I view this as a cozy spy thriller since there wasn’t nail biting tension. The story was pretty level with few spikes in drama or suspense. Overall the book was good
Thanks to #NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for the ARC
I believe this book is supposed to be a romcom but as I was reading it, it felt more like a cozy spy thriller with very little romance. The story moved pretty quickly and kept me engaged. There were times when the story it felt awkward between Dove and Mendez. Chan was a character that didn’t seem to add very much to the story. I hope that his character will grow in the next book. I really liked the idea of a female hacker that uses her skills in a positive way and that the character the stereotypical cocky egotistical hacker nor was it one that resembled a zombie sustaining on Mountain Dew and beef jerky. I view this as a cozy spy thriller since there wasn’t nail biting tension. The story was pretty level with few spikes in drama or suspense. Overall the book was good
Thanks to #NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for the ARC
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
This one was very entertaining. I enjoyed the story. The beginning took a little bit to figure out what was going on and why. But once it got moving, I was invested. The romance felt weird to me. It felt too forced and insta-love. It just didn’t quite fit.
Overall, this was fun.
I also struggled with this one a bit because I kept comparing it to another book that was published last year.
Overall, this was fun.
I also struggled with this one a bit because I kept comparing it to another book that was published last year.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.
Dove Barkley is an amazing ethical hacker (yay for women who rock with computers!). But when she is confused for her sister, she gets pulled into a CIA case against a dangerous arms trafficker.
This was one of my most anticipated books of 2024. The beginning kept me on the edge of my seat, but middle portions felt slower and less action-packed than I had expected given the title and premise. The ending was again engrossing and my favorite part.
While I loved the character of Dove, I didn't feel much chemistry between her and Mendez. Indeed, it seemed we didn't get to know him at all. I think the book would have benefitted from a second point of view or at least greater insight into his character. Without that, the book feels much more a mystery/suspense than a strong romance with a believable happy ever after for the two of them.
I was impressed by the great audio performance from Jaime Lamchick and look forward to listening to more from her.
Dove Barkley is an amazing ethical hacker (yay for women who rock with computers!). But when she is confused for her sister, she gets pulled into a CIA case against a dangerous arms trafficker.
This was one of my most anticipated books of 2024. The beginning kept me on the edge of my seat, but middle portions felt slower and less action-packed than I had expected given the title and premise. The ending was again engrossing and my favorite part.
While I loved the character of Dove, I didn't feel much chemistry between her and Mendez. Indeed, it seemed we didn't get to know him at all. I think the book would have benefitted from a second point of view or at least greater insight into his character. Without that, the book feels much more a mystery/suspense than a strong romance with a believable happy ever after for the two of them.
I was impressed by the great audio performance from Jaime Lamchick and look forward to listening to more from her.
This was a super fun romantic suspense spy thriller featuring twins, mistaken identity, espionage, a swoony male spy lead, a female expert coder and a bad guy they need to track down/apprehend. Twisty and full of romance, I absolutely loved this one. Perfect for fans of Blonde identity by Ally Carter and great on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!!