⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. Interesting, complex characters, but the chemistry and possible tension between them didn’t quite live up to its potential.

BLURB

Jessamine Goodfellow’s goal of gaining spinster status is almost within reach. She dreams of adventure and taking charge of her own life. When her work as a code breaker for the Foreign Office leads to an offer for a secret mission, she grabs it with both hands.

Dougal MacNair, the reluctant new Viscount Fallin, is trying to figure out what went wrong on his last two missions. He isn’t all that interested in an assignment that will take him away from town, and he is even less interested in having a partner.

The pair pose as a married couple in the hopes of unearthing a possible traitor.

MY THOUGTHS

Dougal is an interesting character. His mother had an affair with a Black man, but her husband, an earl, claimed Dougal as his own. Dougal must navigate new social waters after his brother died and left Dougal as the heir. I think the author handled this aspect of Dougal’s life very well. The entire idea was very believable. Dougal is very entrenched in his role as spy and his main focus is finding out who is trying to sabotage his career. Jess is quite smart and that comes across very clear.

Their entire mission was wholly unnecessary, but a lot of fun in the end. The couple that they suspected of treason were truly delightful and quirky. The pretend marriage and ensuing confusion to distinguish between real and fake feelings could have provided a lot of intrigue and excitement, but it fell a bit short.

I really have enjoyed the entire Phoenix Club series so far and I look forward to more. See my reviews for Intolerable (#3), Indecent (#4), and Impossible (#5).

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Historical Romance