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The Couriers #4
The Spy's Kiss
Serena Allen has taken refuge at her uncle's country house ever since a scandalous seduction left her reputation in tatters. But her aunt has never given up hope of making a match for her and is delighted when the handsome, aristocratic Julien Clermont arrives at Boulton Park expressing an interest in the earl's famous butterfly collection-and interest of a different kind in Serena. Serena herself views the guest with misgivings. Can a man be too charming? And can it be coincidence that important foreign documents entrusted to the earl have begun to disappear and reappear in odd places?
Julien is indeed on a top-secret-and personal-mission, one that prevents him from disclosing his real identity to Serena. But the truth will out, and with it comes a devilish choice-betray the lovely, quick-witted woman who has won his heart, or risk forfeiting his own life...
Julien is indeed on a top-secret-and personal-mission, one that prevents him from disclosing his real identity to Serena. But the truth will out, and with it comes a devilish choice-betray the lovely, quick-witted woman who has won his heart, or risk forfeiting his own life...
378 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 26, 2024
3.5 stars
Serena Allen lives with her aunt and uncle at their country house, Boulton Park. There, a stranger comes to visit, pretending that he is a student of lepidopterology, come to study her uncle's winged specimens. Serena isn't fooled. There is more than meets the eye with the charming Mr. Clermont, and she is determined to get to the bottom of it. If some feelings happen along the way, Serena refuses to completely trust the man. She's been duped by a man before and won't be duped again.
This story was a mystery, as well as a romance, and heavier on the mystery side. I was 2/3 into reading this book before I even had an inkling of what was going on. A lot of characters were introduced, and it was difficult to accurately follow all of them to completely understand the story line as it went along. Serena's young cousin Simon was an interesting character with his secret passageways and his lock picking.
Halfway through the book I realized it was the fourth in a series and that I hadn't read the first three. If more understanding as to what was going on was to be obtained by reading those first three, then I would suggest others do so, for less confusion.
Serena Allen lives with her aunt and uncle at their country house, Boulton Park. There, a stranger comes to visit, pretending that he is a student of lepidopterology, come to study her uncle's winged specimens. Serena isn't fooled. There is more than meets the eye with the charming Mr. Clermont, and she is determined to get to the bottom of it. If some feelings happen along the way, Serena refuses to completely trust the man. She's been duped by a man before and won't be duped again.
This story was a mystery, as well as a romance, and heavier on the mystery side. I was 2/3 into reading this book before I even had an inkling of what was going on. A lot of characters were introduced, and it was difficult to accurately follow all of them to completely understand the story line as it went along. Serena's young cousin Simon was an interesting character with his secret passageways and his lock picking.
Halfway through the book I realized it was the fourth in a series and that I hadn't read the first three. If more understanding as to what was going on was to be obtained by reading those first three, then I would suggest others do so, for less confusion.
December 25, 2020
This book was everything that is delightful about regency romance - clearly well-researched, but with a razor-sharp focus on the romance despite the mystery and politics brewing in the background; occasional appearances by prior series characters which never felt shoehorned in; and resolutions to mysteries which were understandable but not obvious. It is closed-door, for the obvious reason that an honorable gentleman in love with a respectable young lady wouldn't have sex with her before marriage, but if you're okay with that... read it.
June 9, 2012
This book builds the relationship betweenthe couple more than the others--and is less about spying. In reading it I realized that all of her books use the customs of the day very subtly--for example, a lady shows she knows the real status of a young man by introducing others to him rather than him to others. Very refreshing after reading books where, for example, ladies are announced by the butler in their own homes!
May 25, 2013
I did not realize that this was the 4th book in a series. I started it three times. The third time, I got half-way through and marked it "did-not-finish". I was thoroughly confused, and I wasn't interested enough to go get the first three books in the series so that I would understand the 4th book. The book was all over the place, it seemed. You HAVE to read prior books in order to understand this one, I believe.
January 5, 2015
I really enjoyed The Spy’s Kiss. I liked how the differing events intertwined and culminated in a resolution. I did find Simon amusing. I also liked the developing relationship between Julien and Serena. I liked that the secondary characters had lives beyond the purpose served in the plot; I think that enriches the experience. I plan on reading more books by Nita Abrams.
October 22, 2016
Mistaken identities! Misplaced royal scions! English country houses! The Foreign Office! Russia! Austria! Unrepentant eccentric spinsters of awkward height!
I love this series. Three dimensional secondary characters, espionage, European politics, Anglo-Jewish history, and flimsy nightgowns. It has it all.
I love this series. Three dimensional secondary characters, espionage, European politics, Anglo-Jewish history, and flimsy nightgowns. It has it all.
August 28, 2009
Good book - I liked how it incorporated actual history into it. I thought that the ending should have been a little longer and the epilogue a couple months in the future instead of days.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews