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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
Another rough one, the main character felt juvenile and there was a lot less action than I expected for a spy romance.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
July is always a special month in my house—birthday cake crumbs on the counter, candles that never quite blow out in one go, and of course, a mailbox brimming with bookish surprises thanks to my lovely bookstagram birthday groups. One of the gems that arrived this year was The Spy and I by Tiana Smith, and let me tell you, it was like unwrapping a nostalgic hug from my teenage reading days.
Growing up, I devoured every page of The Gallagher Girls and The Squad series. I even had a soft spot for the gloriously campy spy flick DEBS. So when I cracked open The Spy and I, I was instantly transported back to those adrenaline-fueled, girl-power-packed stories I adored. This one reminded me a lot of The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter—sisters tangled in espionage, mistaken identities, and a dash of romantic tension that keeps you guessing.
Our heroine Dove is a computer penetration tester (basically a tech-savvy genius), and her sister Madison is a CIA agent who’s suddenly accused of going rogue. Dove, fiercely loyal and determined, dives headfirst into the spy world to clear her sister’s name. But she’s not trained for this life—cue the chaos, danger, and a mysterious male spy who may or may not be trustworthy. The tension between saving her sister and falling for someone she can’t fully trust adds a delicious layer of drama.
This book is geek-chic meets spy-thriller with a romantic twist. It’s not trying to be gritty or overly complex—it’s fun, fast-paced, and perfect for curling up with on a rainy afternoon. Dove’s journey from civilian to accidental spy is both entertaining and empowering, and while the plot leans into familiar tropes, it does so with charm and heart.
The Spy and I earns a solid 3Ps from me—not quite a full-blown obsession, but definitely a delightful read that scratched my spy-girl itch. If you’re a fan of sisterly bonds, undercover antics, and a bit of geeky flair, this one’s worth adding to your TBR pile. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from Tiana Smith.
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
Cute and fun spy adventure. Lighthearted but still thrilling enough. Sometimes I wish it was more tense and didn't make light of the situation with "funny" commentary. Well written and easy to follow otherwise. Maby it would not have hurt with some more yerning rather then lustigt over looks.
really liked the premise but the last 1/3 dragged a bit for me.
Fun. The spy adventure was a nice, light adaptation of a thriller. Quick read. Writing was good. I like a heroine in STEM...and a hacker to boot! Also, that she listens to Taylor Swift's "I did something bad" while she hacks. Reminded me of The Italian Job (the 2005 one)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
No