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A review by m_kaythen
The Librarian and the Spy by Susan Mann
4.0
Quinn Ellington can't believe her luck when an attractive British insurance agent comes up to the reference desk at the library where she works, and commissions her help on a long-term research project. Quinn is glad to have an excuse to interact less with her overbearing boss for a few weeks, and even more glad to get to know the enigmatic James Lockwood. The two continue to get closer as they conduct their research, and things seem to be going great when James finally asks Quinn out on a date. Things get a bit messy, though, when the date ends with Quinn's apartment being broken into and James shooting her in the back with a tranquilizer dart. And her week only gets weirder from there.
This book was adorable, sweet, and a great quick read. The characters were easy to root for, and by giving James and Quinn a mystery to solve together, the author made the love story much stronger. I also loved that although the book is a romance novel, just as much attention was paid to the puzzle they were trying to solve as to the development of their relationship; it didn't feel like two attractive people were just being attractive together, it felt like the beginning of a relationship, albeit in abnormal circumstances. The plot was entertaining, and I enjoyed that so much of it hinged on niche librarian skills.
This book would appeal to those looking for a sweet romance that includes a decent mystery along with it. The story has some sex in it, but is definitely fade-to-black, and is more of a slow burn in that respect than a lot of romance novels. Most of the story takes place in Los Angeles, specifically in the Santa Monica area, and the details are accurate enough to appeal to anyone who lives there or likes reading books set in the city. The story also includes a lot of details about being a reference librarian, and I was delighted to read the author bio and find out that she was a librarian herself.
This book was adorable, sweet, and a great quick read. The characters were easy to root for, and by giving James and Quinn a mystery to solve together, the author made the love story much stronger. I also loved that although the book is a romance novel, just as much attention was paid to the puzzle they were trying to solve as to the development of their relationship; it didn't feel like two attractive people were just being attractive together, it felt like the beginning of a relationship, albeit in abnormal circumstances. The plot was entertaining, and I enjoyed that so much of it hinged on niche librarian skills.
This book would appeal to those looking for a sweet romance that includes a decent mystery along with it. The story has some sex in it, but is definitely fade-to-black, and is more of a slow burn in that respect than a lot of romance novels. Most of the story takes place in Los Angeles, specifically in the Santa Monica area, and the details are accurate enough to appeal to anyone who lives there or likes reading books set in the city. The story also includes a lot of details about being a reference librarian, and I was delighted to read the author bio and find out that she was a librarian herself.