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lynguy1's review
4.0
The Spy and I by Tiana Smith seems to be marketed as a romantic comedy. I feel it is more of a romantic suspense and action novel with it being heavier on the suspense and action. There is attraction and an eventual romance mixed with a little humor. While the story starts and ends in and around Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia, most of the book takes place in Prague, Czech Republic.
Dove Barkley is a cyber security analyst who is mistaken for her sister Madison, who happens to be an undercover CIA operative. Dove gets pulled into a government mission by Mendez who claims to be Madison’s partner.
Dove is confident and feels powerful when coding, but not when she’s back in reality. She’s socially awkward, competent, lonely, talented, and generally optimistic. Mendez is smart, capable, charming, and can easily switch his outward personality traits.
The narrative flows well with a twisty and absorbing plot and a story that captivated me from the first chapter to its conclusion. My main quibble is that I wish the world-building for Prague was more in-depth. It seemed like the book could have taken place in any city. Themes include secrets, mistaken identity, trust, subterfuge, relationships, power, murder, rejection, fear, and much more.
Overall, this entertaining and fast-paced novel has great characterization with likeable characters as well as solid action and thrills. Readers who appreciate romantic spy novels will likely enjoy this novel.
Berkley Publishing Group and Tiana Smith provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 13, 2024.
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My 3.98 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Dove Barkley is a cyber security analyst who is mistaken for her sister Madison, who happens to be an undercover CIA operative. Dove gets pulled into a government mission by Mendez who claims to be Madison’s partner.
Dove is confident and feels powerful when coding, but not when she’s back in reality. She’s socially awkward, competent, lonely, talented, and generally optimistic. Mendez is smart, capable, charming, and can easily switch his outward personality traits.
The narrative flows well with a twisty and absorbing plot and a story that captivated me from the first chapter to its conclusion. My main quibble is that I wish the world-building for Prague was more in-depth. It seemed like the book could have taken place in any city. Themes include secrets, mistaken identity, trust, subterfuge, relationships, power, murder, rejection, fear, and much more.
Overall, this entertaining and fast-paced novel has great characterization with likeable characters as well as solid action and thrills. Readers who appreciate romantic spy novels will likely enjoy this novel.
Berkley Publishing Group and Tiana Smith provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 13, 2024.
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My 3.98 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
tasha_fullybooked's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
DNF at 1%
*sigh* the first page was just... let me tell you about the writing style of "Show Don't Tell". The first three paragraphs just felt like the main character was showing off, telling how they would do certain things and be able to take down huge companies in under five minutes. then, said they started listening to "I Did Something Bad" by Taylor Swift. (As a Swiftie, I had to roll my eyes at this) Don't get me wrong, it is a great song, but being used in this way it just felt like another layer of "I Have No Emotions, don't mess with me". I gave the book a good try but I just don't think it was for me, that being said I was happy to return the eBook in early because four other people were waiting for it.
*sigh* the first page was just... let me tell you about the writing style of "Show Don't Tell". The first three paragraphs just felt like the main character was showing off, telling how they would do certain things and be able to take down huge companies in under five minutes. then, said they started listening to "I Did Something Bad" by Taylor Swift. (As a Swiftie, I had to roll my eyes at this) Don't get me wrong, it is a great song, but being used in this way it just felt like another layer of "I Have No Emotions, don't mess with me". I gave the book a good try but I just don't think it was for me, that being said I was happy to return the eBook in early because four other people were waiting for it.
cozynoveltea's review against another edition
4.0
What a fun book!
The book is a fast-paced and it's easy to get absorbed into the story. I'm being purposely vague because I think the story will be more enjoyable if you start it without much information. The story starts off running and the entire time, you're questioning who can be trusted and trying to figure out what the truth of the situation is. It's a romance book but I would also be comfortable describing it as a suspense/thriller/action novel since the romance is often pushed into the background.
Dove and Mendez have great chemistry. They're equally obsessed with each other but are struggling with those feelings due to pain from past relationships (plus Dove is trying to determine if she can even trust this guy). Again, the romance isn’t the primary focus of the story, but Dove and Mendez find plenty of opportunities to flirt and kiss.
I haven't read anything like this in a while. I'm excited to read Mr. Nice Spy when it comes out later this year!
Perfect if you love:
- closed door
- spy romance
- strangers to lovers
- close proximity
- insta-love
- mistaken identity
The book is a fast-paced and it's easy to get absorbed into the story. I'm being purposely vague because I think the story will be more enjoyable if you start it without much information. The story starts off running and the entire time, you're questioning who can be trusted and trying to figure out what the truth of the situation is. It's a romance book but I would also be comfortable describing it as a suspense/thriller/action novel since the romance is often pushed into the background.
Dove and Mendez have great chemistry. They're equally obsessed with each other but are struggling with those feelings due to pain from past relationships (plus Dove is trying to determine if she can even trust this guy). Again, the romance isn’t the primary focus of the story, but Dove and Mendez find plenty of opportunities to flirt and kiss.
I haven't read anything like this in a while. I'm excited to read Mr. Nice Spy when it comes out later this year!
Perfect if you love:
- closed door
- spy romance
- strangers to lovers
- close proximity
- insta-love
- mistaken identity
mandysbooknook's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
brooklynlowe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.25
saj04's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thebookishb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0