Serena

It gets all the stars from me!

If you want a book that has a couple who for once puts aside the secrets, actually communicates early on and work as partners to solve a mystery while also being cinnamon rolls for each other, this book is just for you!!

As a undercover spy and a bluestocking wallflower, both characters had the risk of being depicting as cold-hearted reserved characters. This was not the case here. Their profession and intelligence took the backset to their sweet feelings for each other and I was hear for every cuddle, pining moment!

While Will empowered Lucy to come out of shell, address the fractured relationship she had with her father, Lucy also helped Will shed all the false identities he had to wear over the years and rediscover his true self.

Their dynamic, chemistry and team-work while solving the mystery was just chef's kiss!

I can't wait to read more of Amy Rose Bennet!

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5

After reading the first book, A Duke for Diana, I just couldn't wait for Eliza and Nathanial's story especially after since they had such little interaction with each other in book 1. I was eager to see how their relationship was going to happen.

I really loved watching them both work through their own struggles and wounds both on their own at first, and then they were able to come together and tackle the obstacles together. Normally I don't like it when the romance hinges on a lie(s), but there was just so much underlying genuine warmth and tenderness between them that I felt confident by the end that they were strong enough to face the ugly truths when the time came.

The reason I give 4 stars and not 5 is that I did not feel like there was very much plot going on. There was a lot of telling and not showing here. I was bored of the actual storyline - if there really was one? The lies/truth were juicy enough to carry the book, but I could have used more “action.” But I think we may just get that with Verity and her Phantom Fellow in the next book and I can't wait!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

4.5

This is the second Anna Bennett book I have read that has left me sighing with content. Keeping spots open for more of her books on my tbr.

What a delightful and unique package of all these great tropes- part-mystery, part-masquerade, part- only one bed, part-class difference - all wrapped up in one. Slap on a low-angst swoony romance, and the characters on the cover aren't the only ones who will be smiling!

Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me an e- copy of the Advanced Reader Copy through NetGalley. All opinions in the review are honest and my own.