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tinamariereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
5.0
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
“You could never be normal. Extraordinary is not normal. Stunning is not normal. Brilliant is. Not. Normal.”
Shane and Gabriel slow burn relationship and friendship makes me soft. I also loved representation,it was so refreshing and I excited for upcoming books in this series.
Shane and Gabriel slow burn relationship and friendship makes me soft. I also loved representation,it was so refreshing and I excited for upcoming books in this series.
owlleeharris's review
adventurous
funny
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
4.5
lazza1825's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
eg_m's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
I thought this looked intriguing when it showed up in the 2020 RONE nominations. It was better than the blurb. The character development was nuanced and compelling, the slow-burn romance between the MCs believable and the plot tightly written. Even though the the 'villain' was clear from the outset, the chase and final resolution kept me turning pages.
The only time it dragged was during the 'meet the family' sequence which served the slow-burn romance but not the overall plot.
I thought this looked intriguing when it showed up in the 2020 RONE nominations. It was better than the blurb. The character development was nuanced and compelling, the slow-burn romance between the MCs believable and the plot tightly written. Even though the the 'villain' was clear from the outset, the chase and final resolution kept me turning pages.
The only time it dragged was during the 'meet the family' sequence which served the slow-burn romance but not the overall plot.
thisboricuareader's review against another edition
3.5
I mean the plot of this book was great, I just think that for the jobs that they had they trusted each other too quickly. Like she isn't a con-artist but she steals money for other people and he works in cyber security and trusted her quickly.
I did like the instant connection.
I did like the instant connection.
bookish_kristina's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good suspense book with a small side of romance.
I really got into this book at the beginning, the action started right away and the female lead character, Shane, was very compelling. I loved how she was portrayed and loved the meet cute between her and Gabriel, the male lead.
This author really knows how to write strong and vulnerable characters and you could tell that diversity and originality were important to her. Her characters were also very authentic and their backgrounds seemed well researched.
The suspense plot itself was good at the get go but then kind of lost its momentum. The middle of the book seemed to be more of an opportunity for the author to feature her political ideologies instead of focusing on driving the plot forward. Though I do agree with her viewpoint, mostly, it was a little more social commentary on American society than I care for as a Canadian who avoids listening to the messy and angry arguments of my neighbours. I think a little would have been ok and fit with the characters and their situation, but it wasn’t a little bit, and it took away from the story for me. This is a romance after all and mainly I read them for escape.
A couple other things that prevented me from fully enjoying this book were:
> Shane’s reasons for abandoning her whole life, family and identity were a bit weak. Who does that? I thought it was something seriously terrible and kinda made me lose respect for her as a bad ass Jane Bond. Yes it was sad and her mother and ex were terrible, but I thought she was running for her life the way she acted.
>Also I didn’t love the whole automatic gal pal acceptance that many series books tend to do with previous characters. As this was the first in a series I was annoyed by all the existing characters whom I’d never heard of but apparently live in the ‘Smarty Pants’ world. It was a bit ham-fisted and obvious. Also I hate when authors cross-over into each others’ worlds, it feels gimmicky. Create a new world all your own and don’t use others’ set ups as crutches. So many side characters were perfectly perfect couples living their epilogues, and since I didn’t know them, I didn’t care, so I skimmed.
> The spice levels were very low and the author spent a lot of time edging us but then cock blocking the mains when they’d get close to sealing the deal. I don’t like the sex interruptis ploy to delay gratification, it’s annoying. Have your slow burns all you want, but don’t tease us with almost doing it over and over.
> Some of the suspense plot line was slow moving towards the end, I would have liked more action. Lots of withholding info that went on too long. You can tell it’s not moving fast enough when I turn the playback speed to 2.5x.
However overall this is a good read and a decent audiobook. I enjoyed this author quite a bit and I always love a good dog character and Oscar was a good boy.
I really got into this book at the beginning, the action started right away and the female lead character, Shane, was very compelling. I loved how she was portrayed and loved the meet cute between her and Gabriel, the male lead.
This author really knows how to write strong and vulnerable characters and you could tell that diversity and originality were important to her. Her characters were also very authentic and their backgrounds seemed well researched.
The suspense plot itself was good at the get go but then kind of lost its momentum. The middle of the book seemed to be more of an opportunity for the author to feature her political ideologies instead of focusing on driving the plot forward. Though I do agree with her viewpoint, mostly, it was a little more social commentary on American society than I care for as a Canadian who avoids listening to the messy and angry arguments of my neighbours. I think a little would have been ok and fit with the characters and their situation, but it wasn’t a little bit, and it took away from the story for me. This is a romance after all and mainly I read them for escape.
A couple other things that prevented me from fully enjoying this book were:
> Shane’s reasons for abandoning her whole life, family and identity were a bit weak. Who does that? I thought it was something seriously terrible and kinda made me lose respect for her as a bad ass Jane Bond. Yes it was sad and her mother and ex were terrible, but I thought she was running for her life the way she acted.
>Also I didn’t love the whole automatic gal pal acceptance that many series books tend to do with previous characters. As this was the first in a series I was annoyed by all the existing characters whom I’d never heard of but apparently live in the ‘Smarty Pants’ world. It was a bit ham-fisted and obvious. Also I hate when authors cross-over into each others’ worlds, it feels gimmicky. Create a new world all your own and don’t use others’ set ups as crutches. So many side characters were perfectly perfect couples living their epilogues, and since I didn’t know them, I didn’t care, so I skimmed.
> The spice levels were very low and the author spent a lot of time edging us but then cock blocking the mains when they’d get close to sealing the deal. I don’t like the sex interruptis ploy to delay gratification, it’s annoying. Have your slow burns all you want, but don’t tease us with almost doing it over and over.
> Some of the suspense plot line was slow moving towards the end, I would have liked more action. Lots of withholding info that went on too long. You can tell it’s not moving fast enough when I turn the playback speed to 2.5x.
However overall this is a good read and a decent audiobook. I enjoyed this author quite a bit and I always love a good dog character and Oscar was a good boy.
albro__'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.0
kate_and_books's review against another edition
5.0
Nothing has changed. Still five stars and still a fantastic read.
Note to self: Go back and start reading the books from the beginning. There. Maybe that will help me stop reading them out of order.
But now to Code of Conduct. I know Ms. White from her paranormal/time travel series (which is a must read IMO.) and AW is a fantastic writer. This is her first time dipping her toes into the romantic comedy suspense genre.
If you know a bit about the series then Cipher is the security company that is run by Quinn Sullivan [bc:Neanderthal Seeks Human|52422311|Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City, #1)|Penny Reid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562099434l/52422311._SX50_SY75_.jpg|24673151] and Dan the Security Man O'Malley [bc:Marriage of Inconvenience|50745547|Marriage of Inconvenience (Knitting in the City, #7)|Penny Reid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561958289l/50745547._SX50_SY75_.jpg|50705812]
Gabriel Eze is the first up in the series and he is a die to for, lush Brit.
I loved Gabriel, best book boyfriend 2020 so far.
Shane P.I. chases cheating spouses her current client turns out to be more than she expected. She poses as his date for the night and clears out of five hundred grand for the wife.
Enter Cipher as the husband is one of their clients (although they are trying to boot him)
I loved Shane, she is strong, resilient yet has a vulnerable side. I would so drink lemon drops with her and Sandra.
The next book in the series is Weight Expectations and I really hope we get Van's book. So bring it Ms. White.
Note to self: Go back and start reading the books from the beginning. There. Maybe that will help me stop reading them out of order.
But now to Code of Conduct. I know Ms. White from her paranormal/time travel series (which is a must read IMO.) and AW is a fantastic writer. This is her first time dipping her toes into the romantic comedy suspense genre.
If you know a bit about the series then Cipher is the security company that is run by Quinn Sullivan [bc:Neanderthal Seeks Human|52422311|Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City, #1)|Penny Reid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562099434l/52422311._SX50_SY75_.jpg|24673151] and Dan the Security Man O'Malley [bc:Marriage of Inconvenience|50745547|Marriage of Inconvenience (Knitting in the City, #7)|Penny Reid|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561958289l/50745547._SX50_SY75_.jpg|50705812]
Gabriel Eze is the first up in the series and he is a die to for, lush Brit.
I loved Gabriel, best book boyfriend 2020 so far.
Shane P.I. chases cheating spouses her current client turns out to be more than she expected. She poses as his date for the night and clears out of five hundred grand for the wife.
Enter Cipher as the husband is one of their clients (although they are trying to boot him)
I loved Shane, she is strong, resilient yet has a vulnerable side. I would so drink lemon drops with her and Sandra.
The next book in the series is Weight Expectations and I really hope we get Van's book. So bring it Ms. White.