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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Better than the first book, with two likable main characters, a solid romance, and a beautiful depiction of sisterly love; however, the pacing was a little off and the stakes were waaaay lower than what they could've been given the book's espionage premise.
2.5 stars rounded up
2.5 stars rounded up
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
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
Another perfectly fine historical romance where the author’s note was the most interesting part of the book. Isabel Luna uses her mad wallflower skills to sneak away from parties and try to spy on her hosts for the Mexican cause (though she’s not very successful), while Captain Dawson uses his actual espionage skills to do the same (and is a bit more successful.) So clearly they’re a match made in heaven — but Dawson doesn’t realize this until nearly two years after he’s met her, when suddenly it dawns on him that he’s in love with her. There were other odd moments — a quick aside about the creator of vulcanized rubber while he’s putting on a condom is a real boner-killer if I’ve ever read one — and the ending confused me a bit, as it seemed silly for Isabel to want return to Mexico and the father who ignored her instead of staying in England with her honey and her sisters, and it seemed stupid that Dawson needed his friends to point out that his newly unemployed status gave him free license to follow her to Mexico and live with her there. On the flip side, I did appreciate that his mad rush to the boat to stop her from leaving ended with a fizzle (plot twist!) and seeing a man give up everything to follow his spouse was a lovely piece of fiction. A girl can dream, right?
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
S'il l'appelait une fois de plus 'sunshine' je vomissais
Isabel, an overlooked wallflower and middle Luna sister, is determined to help her home country of Mexico in their defense against French occupation. When offered an opportunity to act as a spy and gather intelligence, she finally feels her shy ways will come in handy. That is until covert agent for the British Home Office and roguish rake, Captain Sirius Dawson notices the bookish wallflower. He might be a charming rake, but he’s also a bit emotionally scarred from his time at war. When he takes notice of Isabel, the two find they have more in common than expected and a mutual target to investigate.
Sirius & Isabel
Isabel was the absolute best type of wallflower- she might be reserved but she is by no means weak or timid. Sirius was also the classic rake with an espionage twist, which is always a fun time. I loved that they’re both a little bookish. While it’s obvious with Isa, it’s always a pleasant surprise when you find out the slooty book boy is also into reading. These two bond over their love of literature and this is a nice touch that coincides with their similar efforts to investigate a viscount under suspicion. Even though on the surface they seem so opposite, they actually have similar ways of looking at the world. Sirius’s steadfast belief in Isabel and her abilities is also so refreshing and makes him a top-tier hero imo.
This was a solid spy-ish historical romance, and I really enjoyed the author’s writing and the characters she’s created. While I loved the ending, I didn’t totally dig the last few chapters and the way our protagonists’ reacted to things. That said, I was so here for all the sneak peeks of the Duke and Gaby, who I know are the next couple in this trilogy. Like Sirius and Isa, these two are more similar than they realize. But their similar personalities often lead to clashing and I’m so ready for the fiery explosion to come with those two.
Sirius & Isabel
Isabel was the absolute best type of wallflower- she might be reserved but she is by no means weak or timid. Sirius was also the classic rake with an espionage twist, which is always a fun time. I loved that they’re both a little bookish. While it’s obvious with Isa, it’s always a pleasant surprise when you find out the slooty book boy is also into reading. These two bond over their love of literature and this is a nice touch that coincides with their similar efforts to investigate a viscount under suspicion. Even though on the surface they seem so opposite, they actually have similar ways of looking at the world. Sirius’s steadfast belief in Isabel and her abilities is also so refreshing and makes him a top-tier hero imo.
This was a solid spy-ish historical romance, and I really enjoyed the author’s writing and the characters she’s created. While I loved the ending, I didn’t totally dig the last few chapters and the way our protagonists’ reacted to things. That said, I was so here for all the sneak peeks of the Duke and Gaby, who I know are the next couple in this trilogy. Like Sirius and Isa, these two are more similar than they realize. But their similar personalities often lead to clashing and I’m so ready for the fiery explosion to come with those two.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
fast-paced