A review by caybaybay
One Thing Leads to a Lover by Susanna Craig

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

The book is part of the love and let spy series but no overlap with the previous books. Can be read stand alone. The epilogue of “Who’s That Earl” sets up the start of this book, suggesting this is the second book. 

The widowed countess has gone through live letting other people direct her. Now she’s chafing at the lack of self-determination and wishing for an adventure. She has a decent character arc of discovering her own strength when she asserts herself, and takes a chance at adventure. She probably ought to be more concerned by the danger to her family but it’s forgiveable in the constraints of the story. 

Magpie is struggling with guilt from the death of a colleague for which he believes he is to blame. The plot with the countess draws parallels with his past and he learns to forgive himself and let go of the past. Otherwise his character arc is a bit flat. Sometimes their class differences bother him, sometimes they don’t. He has moments of questioning who he truly is after a lifetime of role playing but that conflict doesn’t really play out. 

There’s good chemistry between them and two good spice scenes. The plot moves along well enough to keep interest.