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Lord and Lady Spy by Shana Galen Historical Romance- Sept. 1st, 2011 5 stars Lord Adrian Smythe is a gentleman and a spy. He works in the clandestine Barbican group for the Foreign Office. But after the capture of Napoleon, he suddenly finds himself out of work! Adrian lives for the excitement and the knowledge that he is helping his country especially since his father was branded a traitor. He dreads returning to boring England and his estranged wife Sophia Lady Sophia Smythe is known simply as the Saint. Her latest mission to capture a close confidante of Bonaparte goes wrong when another agent takes him first! Frustrated she looks forward to her next mission to redeem herself only to be told she is obsolete! Sophia doesn’t want to return to England and memories of a stagnant marriage. Out of her mind with boredom, she is thrilled when her old contact Blue gives her a message from the Foreign office -they want to see her. But she is immediately dismayed to discover that she and another agent are to compete against each. And her competition is none other than her handsome and estranged husband Adrian! The first to solve a mysterious murder will receive the last opening in the Barbican group. This was a fun adventure! The two main characters were one of the most entertaining and charming couple I’ve read in a long time. I liked how they tried to out do each other and quarreled but I could still feel how much each cared for the other- even if they tried to deny it to themselves. Once they got over their competitive streaks, they complemented each other marvelously! It was amusing to read how they tried to outwit each other but found to their dismay that they were evenly matched. I also liked that before they knew each other’s real identities, they had admired the other agent and wished they had the chance to meet and work with the other person. Both the characters are extremely likeable. Even when they try to out do each other, they are fair and try to help the other person. It was fun to read how they had their own 'disguise,' hiding their real personality. Even with their dull or boring disguises, they both were attracted to each other before they knew the truth of their real identities. (This made me feel that they were meant to be with each other.) They were the perfect team and couple. I really felt this story could have been made into a historical romantic comedy or one of those mysterious series with a dashing and clever couple who work together to solve a mystery. It reminded me of the popular black and white Thin Man movies. While the reality of them not knowing each after living so close to each other is unlikely, this novel makes you want to believe it. I also was fascinated by the mysterious agent simply known as Blue who seems to know everyone and be everywhere. Lively, action-packed fun with two clever and highly engaging main characters. I would love it if the author continued their adventures! Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club

2020-08-10 11:17