Always Lost in Words

Love & Let Spy #4

Susanna Craig. Pub Date 08/09/2022

*s. Best Enjoyed as a beach read–published just in time!

I’m going to preface this by saying that I’m a little biased about this. I loved the first two books in the series and liked the third a lot (not as much, it had a lot to live up to in all fairness). This one interweaves not only Caro and Maxim’s story, but also Fanny Drummond and ‘s, and I’ve always wanted Mrs. Drummond to find love since the first book we met her in. ❤

Publisher’s Synopsis (Kensington Books):

“Caroline, Marchioness of Chesleigh, has been married for six years—at least in name. In fact, Caro has hardly seen her husband since the early days of their union. Scarred and reclusive, Maxim wasn’t ready to trust his wife with his secrets—or his heart. Instead, he quickly resumed his life of espionage in France, believing Caro was better off alone.

When the spy who left her returns upon inheriting the Dukedom, he finds his wife is not the girl she once was. Her heart is a little harder. She’s learned to stand on her own. Yet the desire that once ignited between them burns as hotly as ever . . .

Now, the more Caro learns about the past Maxim tried to hide from her, the deeper their bond grows. But danger haunts her husband’s every move, jeopardizing their passionate reunion . . .“

Reader Synopsis/Review:

Maxim and Caro’s story was especially intriguing in Every Rogue Has His Charm, but what the synopsis does not mention is the extra romance that we finally get to see in the Love and Let Spy series that we have been waiting for, which is that between Fanny Drummond and officer Fitzsimmons. Fanny and Fitz’s story is definitely a major plot point in this and intertwines beautifully with Caro and Maxim’s.

Maxim and Caro are found in a compromising position when Caro goes to visit the library in the middle of the night to borrow a book from their mutual host. Maxim, an enigmatic man with beastly scars on his body from an accident when he was a lad, is on a mission at the time and happens to also be in the library when they are both caught by Caro’s father and mother. Maxim has a lowly opinion of Caro’s father and chooses to do right by the smart, bright eyed young Caro. When he marries her, he makes it very plain to her family that he will care of Caro but her relations will not get a single cent from him. However, Maxim soon after departs for France to spy for the crown (unbeknownst to his wife), Caro is left on her own to fight the vultures that are the members of her family. Caro is also left entirely alone for six years (with the exception of her loyal staff), at which point she moves to Brighton to create distance from her money grubbing relations who have slowly guilted her into sending all of her pin money to them over the years and to also find solace in the vast ocean and small house, which makes her feel less alone.

When Maxim’s grandfather, who was also quite the piece of work, dies and leaves Maxim a title, he makes haste to England to both report back to General Scott and to check on his wife. What Caro also doesn’t know about Maxim is that is deeply self-conscious about his scars and the treatment he received from his grandfather when he was a boy. He has convinced himself over the years that he is undesirable aside from his abilities as a spy for the crown. However, in his own struggles within himself, he does not realize that Caro feels just as undesirable as he does. This is definitely a story where the characters should have discussed their feelings to begin with, but that doesn’t make the best story, does it?

General Scott has become less sure of Maxim’s loyalties over the years he has spent in France and decides to send Fanny Drummond to play companion to Caro both as protection and as a spy in her own right. Naturally, ever the matchmake, General Scott also sends Fitz.

As Maxim is reunited with a distant Caro, dangerous things begin to happen. Maxim is concerned that someone has found out who he is and has followed him to Brighton, putting his wife in danger, while Fanny and Fitz believe it’s him. When Caro’s family shows up gripping about their money issues and insisting they stay for the next month, it’s the last thing they could possibly need. But through all of these issues, Caro and Maxim find that the passion that was held on both ends of their relationship has not died and that even though they have been far apart from one another for years, neither one wants to experience that again.

I really loved this closing to the amazing Love and Let Spy series. I wanted so badly for Mrs. Fanny Drummond and Fitz to find loves of their own. I definitely enjoyed watching Fitz break down her icy walls. The book closes in such a beautiful way and I may have shed a few tears. I can’t wait to see what Susanna Craig has for us next!

Thanks to Kensington books and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for this fair and honest review.

By Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone. Pub Date 9/20/2022

5*s. Best Enjoyed whenever you want something spicy with a strong BBW heroine and a bad boy former superstar who loves him some of that thick honey (yeah, I went there).

Publisher’s Synopsis (Avon & Harper Voyager):

Bee Hobbes (aka Bianca Von Honey) has a successful career as a plus-size adult film star. With a huge following and two supportive moms, Bee couldn’t ask for more. But when Bee’s favorite producer casts her to star in a Christmas movie he’s making for the squeaky-clean Hope Channel, Bee’s career is about to take a more family-friendly direction.

Forced to keep her work as Bianca under wraps, Bee quickly learns this is a task a lot easier said than done. Though it all becomes worthwhilewhen she discovers her co-star is none other than childhood crush Nolan Shaw, an ex-boy band member in desperate need of career rehab. Nolan’s promised his bulldog manager to keep it zipped up on set, and he will if it means he’ll be able to provide a more stable living situation for his sister and mom.

But things heat up quickly in Christmas Notch, Vermont, when Nolan recognizes his new co-star from her ClosedDoors account (oh yeah, he’s a member). Now Bee and Nolan are sneaking off for quickies on set, keeping their new relationship a secret from the Hope Channel’s execs. Things only get trickier when the reporter who torpedoed Nolan’s singing career comes snooping around—and takes an instant interest in mysterious newcomer Bee.

And if Bee and Nolan can’t keep their off-camera romance behind the scenes, then this merry little meet cute might end up on the cutting room floor.

My Reviewer Synopsis:

EVERY. CHARACTER. IN. THIS. STORY. IS. A. DELIGHT.

Bianca ‘Bee’ Hobbes is a plus-size adult film star who started her career on ClosedDoors under the pseudonym ‘Bianca Von Honey’. She is very body-positive about herself and her fan base only further validates her. She also works for Uncle Ray Ray’s, a porn production company. Teddy aka “Uncle Ray Ray” is actually a pretty decent guy for being part of the porn industry and is starting to get concerned about diversifying his portfolio into other areas outside of just the skin on skin set. After all, he wants to make sure he can pay his son’s tuition and help his daughter with her sustainably sourced sex toy business. 

When Teddy decides to get into the world of romantic Christmas movies for the Hope Channel (think Hallmark—yeah, I know), Bee begs him to find her a place. She’s been wanting to act her entire life in something more than just the bump and grind. Little does she expect that she would be chosen for the lead when Teddy accidentally puts her porn headshot into the pile of replacement actresses for the film “Duke the Halls”. The director, a former actor herself, is instantly taken in by her and demands her for the role. Teddy and Bee know this will be a tightrope walk—neither of them want to be ousted and ruin their new chances for growth. That may be harder than anticipated when Bee finds out that she will be working opposite her teenage celebrity crush, Nolan Shaw.

Nolan Shaw is the former bad-boy member of boyband. Much like Bee, Nolan is looking for a career refresh after some Olympic-level follies left him with a black mark on his reputation. Not that it was surprising given his bad-boy image. Nolan has more to worry about now that he’s out of money and also helping support his sister and their mother, who has been struggling with bipolar disorder. This absolutely has to work, and his agent is snapping at his heels to keep it clean. That’s also going to be hard for Nolan when he finds out that the woman replacing his costar is none other than the luscious Bianca Von Honey, the girl of his dirtiest and most delightful fantasies. Not only does he subscribe to her ClosedDoors account, but he’s superfan level. Knowing who she is and that he will be so close to her every day is going to be hard, figuratively and literally. But he cannot let on that he knows who she is in front of everyone. That would risk this production—his one chance at a fresh start. As they spend more time together day in and day out, Bee and Nolan’s feelings begin to get in the way of their work and it seems that the only way to quell the heat is to give into it. Unfortunately, one time is not enough. Is it ever?

With each passing day of the two-week shoot, Bee and Nolan find themselves not only falling into bed but also in love. But when a nosy gossip rag reporter—and the reason for Nolan’s career detour–comes skulking into town, disaster doesn’t feel like it’s far behind. And his interest in Bee could spell disaster for the entire production. 

Murphy and Simone. Holy moly for the love of all things under the sun. This was a SCORCHER. BBW romances have always been a weakness, but this latest push for more size-inclusive contemporaries is my new found kryptonite. Olivia Dade is another author who turned me onto these romances, and Murphy and Simone have solidified and expanded my appetite. 

I absolutely LOVED this book. Nolan and Bee are well thought out and every character can stand on their own. There are so many personalities in this book that it truly feels like there are more than two authors. Diverse backgrounds, super hilarious writing, and some super hot, spicy scenes really made me into a huge fan. I cannot wait for more of these—because there has to be more. There absolutely has to be!

Thanks to NetGalley, the authors, and Avon & Harper Voyager, for the advanced copy in exchange for this honest and all-my-own review!

By Dana Schwartz, pub date 1/18/2022

4*s, Best enjoyed when you want a story of star crossed lovers who make eyes over bodies (If you do, you’re my people).

Publisher’s synopsis (St. Martin’s Press):

“Hazel Sinnett is a lady who wants to be a surgeon more than she wants to marry.

Jack Currer is a resurrection man who’s just trying to survive in a city where it’s too easy to die.

When the two of them have a chance encounter outside the Edinburgh Anatomist’s Society, Hazel thinks nothing of it at first. But after she gets kicked out of renowned surgeon Dr. Beecham’s lectures for being the wrong gender, she realizes that her new acquaintance might be more helpful than she first thought. Because Hazel has made a deal with Dr. Beecham: if she can pass the medical examination on her own, Beecham will allow her to continue her medical career. Without official lessons, though, Hazel will need more than just her books—she’ll need corpses to study.

Lucky that she’s made the acquaintance of someone who digs them up for a living.

But Jack has his own problems: strange men have been seen skulking around cemeteries, his friends are disappearing off the streets, and the dreaded Roman Fever, which wiped out thousands a few years ago, is back with a vengeance. Nobody important cares—until Hazel.

Now, Hazel and Jack must work together to uncover the secrets buried not just in unmarked graves, but in the very heart of Edinburgh society.” – Synopsis provided by St. Martin’s Press.

Review/My Synopsis

Anatomy: A Love Story was a delightful gothic murder mystery set amongst the cemeteries and city alleys of Edinburgh, Scotland, in the early nineteenth century. Hazel is a headstrong girl who wants more than anything to be a surgeon, but though her breeding and status open a lot of doors for her, they are still a golden handcuff tying her to the traditional roles of a Lady in British society. She is to marry her cousin Bernard. Though her cousin and her have long been friends in addition to their betrothed status, Bernard seems less and less keen to allow his future wife to do such scandalous things as surgery, despite knowing it is her driving passion. Note: Bernard seems like such a great guy until she actually starts pursuing that passion, then he admits he thinks it was just a flight of fancy for her which left me so bothered. In my opinion, he’s a bit of a wanker who deserves some syphilis. Anyways…

When she does get the opportunity to see a lecture and demonstration by Dr. Beecham, the grandson of the scientist who wrote the veritable anatomist’s bible, she jumps at the chance. But women aren’t allowed through the main doors of the establishment. That’s when she runs into Jack Currer, who is able to sneak her in under the bleachers. Of course Jack knows of this little hidey-hole. He’s a resurrection man. A body snatcher—but not a grave robber. He makes that quite clear. He steals nothing but the bodies (semantics if you ask me—and you kind of did).

When Beecham announces that he will be teaching the newest surgery courses, Hazel feels compelled to find a way to attend and get her license in the surgical arts. By dressing as her deceased brother, George, she is able to disguise herself as a lad long enough to attend these lectures (This is somewhat ironic. Here’s some background: George and Hazel both had the Roman Fever, a highly contagious decease that seems to have reemerged in Edinburgh. George, the heir to their family, died. Hazel did not. This caused obvious distress for her family and her mother and her relationship has been strained ever since. Not only that, but the death triggered two more things. Her younger brother, now being the heir, is basically a helipad to her mother’s helicopter parenting, while Hazel–who has become largely ignored by her mother–is hell bent on finding a cure. The reason I say ironic (maybe ‘poetic’ is a better term?) is that she is ‘resurrecting’ the very person who died and created this passion for surgery in her. Good job on that one, Schwartz.) 

However, when Hazel is caught posing as a lad, she is told she can no longer attend the lectures put on by Beecham or Straine—a practicing surgeon in Edinburgh who knows Hazel from  his associations with her uncle and future father in law. (Do you think that will stop Hazel? Of course not. She’s a girl of means, independence and fortitude.) Instead of giving up, Hazel tracks down Dr. Beecham and strikes a deal with him. She will study and he will allow her to sit for the surgeon’s exam. If she passes, the school will open its doors to other women. If she does not, she will turn away from surgery and into the arms of her betrothed to do as all the other Ladies of means do for the rest of her life. What’s a girl to do? (Are you kidding? She has all of woman kind to think about now—she is the potential harbinger of change. Of course she takes the deal!)

But there’s one problem. She will need to study human corpses. Fortunately, she has a connection: handsome and charming Jack Currer, who lives and works in a recently closed theatre, only closed due to the new spread of Roman Fever. The downside is his partner has recently gone missing. Hazel must team up with Jack to not only keep her secrets, but also to help him procure bodies. During her ‘adventures’ with Jack, she finds out that there are people suddenly showing up without body parts in the poor hospitals of London, and some of the bodies they are pulling out of the ground that are marked as deaths due to Roman Fever are decidedly not. 

Not only does Hazel need to study for the most important exam of her life, but she and Jack are now embroiled in what appears to be a murder investigation where they seem to be the sole investigators. And the conclusion that they come to is something that neither they—nor the reader—will ever expect. 

Thoughts:

I really loved the setting. I’ve always wanted to go to Edinburgh and if it’s even half as atmospheric as the author describes, it would be worth every penny. I also adored Hazel. She had a goal and she did everything to pursue that goal while trying so hard not to fall in love with Jack over dead bodies. I’m sure there’s a joke in there, I just can’t sus it out right this second. The villain at the end was truly diabolical and I never expected it. Them, yes. But the why? Never. There were so many suspects and possibilities and the conclusion…just…(insert mind blown emoji here). 

If you’re looking for a gothic fiction book, this is the one that you need to pick up. There’s honestly no better description than that. It’s a gothic love story. Classically done. I’m surprised that fog doesn’t roll out of the pages when you open in, almost equally surprising is that ending. 

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the advance copy in exchange for this honest review. 

Elizabeth Lim.

5*s. Best Enjoyed after Spin the Dawn…like, immediately.

Pardon me, E. Lim, but what exactly have you done to me? You truly must have enchanted me because the stories you write are so full of emotion and crackling with energy and the plots are thicker than a snicker. If your books were walking down the street, I’d definitely do a double check.

The first Elizabeth Lim book I read was Six Crimson Cranes. I received it is a Galley and it was so much more wonderful than I had expected, so I decided to give Spin the Dawn a try. Thank goodness Unravel the Dusk was out because as soon as I finished Spin the Dawn I had to jump into this one (and now I’m practically going full on Elementary School making paper chains counting down the days until The Dragon’s Promise comes out).

At the end of Spin the Dawn, we are in a full crush of emotions surrounding the future for Edan and our amazing Maia, who appears to becoming a full-on demon in secret if she can’t find a way to save herself. Not to mention, there’s Shansen’s army right outside the gates of the Winter Palace. It’s crazy how loyal Maia remains to her sovereign even after finding out what a jerk he is. But Maia is loyal to A’landi first because it’s her home and she will do anything to protect it–and her loved ones–even if it means she must take Bandur’s place in Lapzur and sacrifice all of herself for her country and family.

The problem comes when her Weaver magic is not enough to save A’landi, but her demon magic and the magic that is held within Amana’s dresses–what she sacrificed almost everything to make–would be enough if she chose to wield it. But using it means that her decent into demonhood is all the faster. What is a girl to do when she’s the hope of everything she holds dear?

I don’t know if you already realize, but I absolutely LOVED this book. The entire Blood of Stars series is amazing and worth every last little moment of time it takes to read it. The characters from Ammi to Xina feel like they are right next to you, the settings from forest to dungeon pop into your mind with clarity, and you can practically feel the heat–or cold, in most cases– of the battles and wind from the swords that slash at you through the pages.

Elizabeth Lim is an author that must be heeded.