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katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
I thought it was cute, but I had a couple quibbles that kept it from 5 stars.
Firstly, Sophie didn't live up to her setup. She was built up as this clever, outside-the-norm woman with an unusual skillset for the time period - martial arts, lockpicking, good with knives - and that's the woman I was excited to read about. It would have made a nice change of pace from typical HR. But despite the initial implication that we'd get to see her in action, we never really do, and she seems to kind of fold like a wet kleenex when an opportunity presents itself. There were a couple points in the book where I was like "woo, now we'll get to see her bust out the skills!" and it just never really happened.
Secondly, some totally random issue cropped up at the end that I felt baffled by. I not only thought it was shockingly insensible for a character who had at least been very sensible throughout, but I also felt it just didn't work properly anyway, because it really hadn't been set up. I guess those two issues go hand-in-hand, and can be boiled down to: the issue seemed very out of character for her.
That said, I thought it was a fun story, with a great h/h the main characters, and very enjoyable banter. Will definitely continue on in the series.
Firstly, Sophie didn't live up to her setup. She was built up as this clever, outside-the-norm woman with an unusual skillset for the time period - martial arts, lockpicking, good with knives - and that's the woman I was excited to read about. It would have made a nice change of pace from typical HR. But despite the initial implication that we'd get to see her in action, we never really do, and she seems to kind of fold like a wet kleenex when an opportunity presents itself. There were a couple points in the book where I was like "woo, now we'll get to see her bust out the skills!" and it just never really happened.
Secondly, some totally random issue cropped up at the end that I felt baffled by. I not only thought it was shockingly insensible for a character who had at least been very sensible throughout, but I also felt it just didn't work properly anyway, because it really hadn't been set up. I guess those two issues go hand-in-hand, and can be boiled down to: the issue seemed very out of character for her.
That said, I thought it was a fun story, with a great h/h the main characters, and very enjoyable banter. Will definitely continue on in the series.
ashbats99's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
littlemisscass's review against another edition
4.0
There was nothing earth-shattering about this book, but it was cute and bicker-y and had a spy plot that was possibly the least frustrating I've ever read. What I loved most about this book was the fact that the heroine was both likeable and a strong character - often a heroine is portrayed as constantly angry or disagreeing or just plain annoying in the aim of making her a strong or confident character, and that often makes her unlikeable to me. There are all manner of strong and confident characters that don't need to verbally show their qualities. And Sophie was one of them: she was interesting and unapologetic and she was incredibly likeable. Plus, now I'm actually looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
roseybot's review against another edition
3.0
If you had asked me half way through this book I would have said this was easily a four. Sadly the second half of the book went well off the rails.
Not only was there a plot via not telling each other things, Alex and Sophie never dealt with the high handed way he orders her about, which even Sophie found irritating.
That said, I feel I could try another of her books — maybe it’s just this couple that caused me a lot of side eye.
Not only was there a plot via not telling each other things, Alex and Sophie never dealt with the high handed way he orders her about, which even Sophie found irritating.
That said, I feel I could try another of her books — maybe it’s just this couple that caused me a lot of side eye.
sarm's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
saltycaroline's review against another edition
3.0
They're both spies, and one is spying on the other, and neither knows that the other is a spy, and somehow with all of that I was still lowkey bored
CW: Sexual content, violence, kidnapping
CW: Sexual content, violence, kidnapping
freemajo's review
3.0
Romance tropes: spy, orphan, alpha hero, kidnapped
I’ve already forgotten their names. H is a duke/spy and h is a 24 year old lady who was raised abroad with her adventurer father outside of proper society. They both think they’re spying on each other for the crown, and they have an insta-lust connection. H is all “I’m never gonna marry because I’m a man blah blah come make out with me” and then doesn’t understand why she’s mad at him. There’s a big misunderstanding and a lot of the problems could have been solved by talking about it like adults.
I never believed the romance between them, and the story kept dragging on.
I’ve already forgotten their names. H is a duke/spy and h is a 24 year old lady who was raised abroad with her adventurer father outside of proper society. They both think they’re spying on each other for the crown, and they have an insta-lust connection. H is all “I’m never gonna marry because I’m a man blah blah come make out with me” and then doesn’t understand why she’s mad at him. There’s a big misunderstanding and a lot of the problems could have been solved by talking about it like adults.
I never believed the romance between them, and the story kept dragging on.
bettybumpkins's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
3.0
I wanted to enjoy this book as I really liked the characters. But the plot and choices made by the MCs was a no. By the end the "twist" just fell flat for me.
nononanette's review against another edition
3.0
very clever dialogue and great characters. a light recency romp. plot is a bit convoluted. overall i got a bit bored. not sure why. the characters could have used more depth and less bouncing off of one another.