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Blurred: Between Good and Evil. Between Love and Betrayal
Nova Riley is an undercover CIA agent under international investigation for an assignment that went terribly wrong. While she awaits trial, and her fate as an agent, she’s given a new to find the evidence to put a murderer behind bars. It's an easy arrest on paper, but Nova quickly learns that not everything is as it seems.
Her new target, Owen Mills, is the billionaire CEO of Regenerative Industries. He is also accused of murdering the three CEOs of the companies he recently acquired. But as Nova digs deeper into Owen’s life, she quickly uncovers the evil lurking beneath the surface of the murdered CEOs and their businesses. To further complicate matters, she discovers Owen’s been using all the extra money from the acquisitions to secretly fund community projects in low-income areas, and only cares about the fate of those communities. His fate be damned.
As their lives become intertwined and more information is revealed, Nova must choose between saving her career or saving the billionaire CEO she’s quickly falling for. The line between right and wrong, hero and villain, and love and betrayal is blurred in this romantic, suspenseful mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Her new target, Owen Mills, is the billionaire CEO of Regenerative Industries. He is also accused of murdering the three CEOs of the companies he recently acquired. But as Nova digs deeper into Owen’s life, she quickly uncovers the evil lurking beneath the surface of the murdered CEOs and their businesses. To further complicate matters, she discovers Owen’s been using all the extra money from the acquisitions to secretly fund community projects in low-income areas, and only cares about the fate of those communities. His fate be damned.
As their lives become intertwined and more information is revealed, Nova must choose between saving her career or saving the billionaire CEO she’s quickly falling for. The line between right and wrong, hero and villain, and love and betrayal is blurred in this romantic, suspenseful mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat.
- GenresRomance
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 5, 2026
7 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Brilynn O'Neal
3 books61 followersBrilynn O’Neal lives in California with her husband, three children, two dogs, two cats, ten chickens, and lots of honeybees. When she’s not writing spicy, emotional stories, she’s outside soaking up nature and saving bees.
Follow her on Instagram, Tiktok, Threads, and Pinterest @forestsandfantasy
Follow her on Instagram, Tiktok, Threads, and Pinterest @forestsandfantasy
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October 21, 2025pre-read notes:
I got the ARC! 🌤️ undercover agent x billionaire ceo?? yes absolutely! I’m so excited to read this, this will be my first book by this author ☺️🌸
I got the ARC! 🌤️ undercover agent x billionaire ceo?? yes absolutely! I’m so excited to read this, this will be my first book by this author ☺️🌸
December 23, 2025
Nova is a CIA agent tasked with gathering intel on a billionaire CEO whose company keeps acquiring other businesses, only for their CEOs to mysteriously turn up dead soon after. Owen is that powerful CEO, currently looking for a new assistant. Naturally, Nova gets the job and goes undercover, but finds a bit more than she bargained for!
This story blends romance with mystery and thriller elements, and while it wasn’t a perfect fit for me, there was still plenty to enjoy. There were a few inconsistencies that initially bothered me: the main one being that Nova goes by Nora undercover, but brings her target to meet a friend who calls her Nova out loud. I personally found myself wishing for a bit more tension and buildup between Nova and Owen, as the romance leaned a little more insta-love than I prefer, but I did enjoy the quippy banter! However, the mystery side of the plot kept me engaged as I tried to piece together who could be trusted and who was pulling the strings behind the scenes. The fast pacing made this an easy, bingeable read.
Overall, this is a quick, easy to read mystery/rom-com with some action, banter, and an undercover setup. Readers who enjoy fast-paced romantic suspense with a lighter rom-com tone and don’t mind insta-love will likely have a great time with this one.
Thank you to Brilynn Schrader and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This story blends romance with mystery and thriller elements, and while it wasn’t a perfect fit for me, there was still plenty to enjoy. There were a few inconsistencies that initially bothered me: the main one being that Nova goes by Nora undercover, but brings her target to meet a friend who calls her Nova out loud. I personally found myself wishing for a bit more tension and buildup between Nova and Owen, as the romance leaned a little more insta-love than I prefer, but I did enjoy the quippy banter! However, the mystery side of the plot kept me engaged as I tried to piece together who could be trusted and who was pulling the strings behind the scenes. The fast pacing made this an easy, bingeable read.
Overall, this is a quick, easy to read mystery/rom-com with some action, banter, and an undercover setup. Readers who enjoy fast-paced romantic suspense with a lighter rom-com tone and don’t mind insta-love will likely have a great time with this one.
Thank you to Brilynn Schrader and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
January 11, 2026
4.5/5.0
This one was a gripping blend of suspense, romance, and moral complexity that kept me reading well past the point where I planned to stop. It has that perfect mix of tension and heart, the kind that makes a story feel both exciting and emotionally engaging.
Our fmc, Nova Riley, is an undercover CIA agent whose last assignment went sideways and now finds herself under investigation and facing trial. Instead of fading into the background, she throws herself into a new case that looks simple on paper but quickly proves to be anything but. Nova is smart, driven, and fiercely committed to doing what’s right, even if it puts her career on the line. I also enjoyed how her character develops throughout the story.
Owen Mills was a standout for me. On the surface he’s a rich CEO suspected of murdering the leaders of the companies he bought, but as Nova digs deeper she starts to see more in his actions. His dedication to the communities his companies support makes him hard to write off as a villain, and that ambiguity fuels so much of the story’s tension and intrigue. Their evolving connection is slow, layered, and honestly addictive to read. There’s chemistry, unease, and that push and pull that kept me guessing about where their dynamic was headed.
Pacing was tight and intense in all the right ways. The plot moves quickly but never feels rushed. Every chapter added tension or raised new questions and just when I thought I had things figured out, a twist or new revelation made me rethink everything. That momentum kept the book exciting and made it hard to put down.
The worldbuilding is grounded in reality but elevated by the tension of the investigation. The CIA setting, legal ramifications, and corporate mystery elements all feel authentic without bogging the story down. The author did a nice job of balancing the undercover procedural aspects with character development so that the emotional pay offs land just as hard as the plot twists.
Overall, Blurred is a smart, suspenseful romance with a strong female lead, a morally ambiguous leading man, and a mystery that keeps you engaged until the end. If you like romantic suspense that keeps the tension high and the emotional stakes higher, this one is absolutely worth your time. I will definitely be looking forward to more from this author.
This one was a gripping blend of suspense, romance, and moral complexity that kept me reading well past the point where I planned to stop. It has that perfect mix of tension and heart, the kind that makes a story feel both exciting and emotionally engaging.
Our fmc, Nova Riley, is an undercover CIA agent whose last assignment went sideways and now finds herself under investigation and facing trial. Instead of fading into the background, she throws herself into a new case that looks simple on paper but quickly proves to be anything but. Nova is smart, driven, and fiercely committed to doing what’s right, even if it puts her career on the line. I also enjoyed how her character develops throughout the story.
Owen Mills was a standout for me. On the surface he’s a rich CEO suspected of murdering the leaders of the companies he bought, but as Nova digs deeper she starts to see more in his actions. His dedication to the communities his companies support makes him hard to write off as a villain, and that ambiguity fuels so much of the story’s tension and intrigue. Their evolving connection is slow, layered, and honestly addictive to read. There’s chemistry, unease, and that push and pull that kept me guessing about where their dynamic was headed.
Pacing was tight and intense in all the right ways. The plot moves quickly but never feels rushed. Every chapter added tension or raised new questions and just when I thought I had things figured out, a twist or new revelation made me rethink everything. That momentum kept the book exciting and made it hard to put down.
The worldbuilding is grounded in reality but elevated by the tension of the investigation. The CIA setting, legal ramifications, and corporate mystery elements all feel authentic without bogging the story down. The author did a nice job of balancing the undercover procedural aspects with character development so that the emotional pay offs land just as hard as the plot twists.
Overall, Blurred is a smart, suspenseful romance with a strong female lead, a morally ambiguous leading man, and a mystery that keeps you engaged until the end. If you like romantic suspense that keeps the tension high and the emotional stakes higher, this one is absolutely worth your time. I will definitely be looking forward to more from this author.
December 27, 2025
Um I need more of this !!!
Undercover CIA agent and Hot billionaire. Suspense kept me on my toes along with all the action and new found love sprinkled in … oh and some spice!
Brilynn O’Neal can do it all!! From fantasy to now romantic suspense, auto buy author for me hands down
Undercover CIA agent and Hot billionaire. Suspense kept me on my toes along with all the action and new found love sprinkled in … oh and some spice!
Brilynn O’Neal can do it all!! From fantasy to now romantic suspense, auto buy author for me hands down
December 9, 2025
Really enjoyed this book. The combo of mystery/romance was enjoyable and not over the top. The characters were all likeable. Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.
October 19, 2025
Blurred is a fast-paced, easy read that kept me hooked—I ended up finishing it in one sitting.
It grabbed my attention right from the start. While I could sense some of the plot twists coming and even predicted a few, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all.
I loved the dynamic between the two main characters, and the banter and loyalty within the found family were definite highlights.
That cliffhanger left me wanting more—I can’t wait to see what happens next!
It grabbed my attention right from the start. While I could sense some of the plot twists coming and even predicted a few, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all.
I loved the dynamic between the two main characters, and the banter and loyalty within the found family were definite highlights.
That cliffhanger left me wanting more—I can’t wait to see what happens next!
October 31, 2025
3.25-3.5
The story was slower in the first half, picking up around the 60% mark with a good ending. Pick this book up if: you like a main plot of rom com, and a subplot of mystery, a likeable billionaire, a book where apparently every one is attractive.
Overall, a quick and easy kind of rom com that has some cute moments. (possibly room for a sequel or spin off)
Elements of: found family, very brief mentions of parental death, "he touched you?", banter
The blurb description of this book made it seem like it would lean more heavily on the suspense and mystery side of things, but that is not at all the case in my opinion. While I should have known from the cartoon people on the front (a quality I love), it is so heavily focused on the more rom com side. In the 2nd half of the book, we get a lot more of the crime/mystery aspect come out, and it was overall a quicker read, but the first half was harder to get through.
The murders of the CEOs (as mentioned on the blurb) were not as relevant of discussed.
Spice level: one open door spice scene over a couple pages.
Our FMC is supposed to be this badass CIA agent who is so good at her job but is facing a more difficult time as she is awaiting a trial for a botched mission that she has little to memory of. I understand completely that writing the physical features of the characters allows for better visualization, but when literally EVERY single character is focused on how attractive she is- it gets a bit old. This also includes a very gay male character saying a couple times how she would be the only woman he would sleep with. I think there is a way to write her being beautiful that feels more natural, and unfortunately this just missed the mark for me. By the halfway point of the story, I knew way more about her physically and how hot she was, as opposed to anything to do with her personality it felt like.
And for her supposedly being one of the best agents, this woman really abandons her training when day 1 of being undercover, she is flirting and seems to have hella anger issues and wants to clench her fists multiple times throughout the story or punch a lot of things. Lastly, I swear this woman moans every time she smells coffee or eats good food. Which is relatable but we didn't need it more than once or twice.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
The story was slower in the first half, picking up around the 60% mark with a good ending. Pick this book up if: you like a main plot of rom com, and a subplot of mystery, a likeable billionaire, a book where apparently every one is attractive.
Overall, a quick and easy kind of rom com that has some cute moments. (possibly room for a sequel or spin off)
Elements of: found family, very brief mentions of parental death, "he touched you?", banter
The blurb description of this book made it seem like it would lean more heavily on the suspense and mystery side of things, but that is not at all the case in my opinion. While I should have known from the cartoon people on the front (a quality I love), it is so heavily focused on the more rom com side. In the 2nd half of the book, we get a lot more of the crime/mystery aspect come out, and it was overall a quicker read, but the first half was harder to get through.
The murders of the CEOs (as mentioned on the blurb) were not as relevant of discussed.
Spice level: one open door spice scene over a couple pages.
Our FMC is supposed to be this badass CIA agent who is so good at her job but is facing a more difficult time as she is awaiting a trial for a botched mission that she has little to memory of. I understand completely that writing the physical features of the characters allows for better visualization, but when literally EVERY single character is focused on how attractive she is- it gets a bit old. This also includes a very gay male character saying a couple times how she would be the only woman he would sleep with. I think there is a way to write her being beautiful that feels more natural, and unfortunately this just missed the mark for me. By the halfway point of the story, I knew way more about her physically and how hot she was, as opposed to anything to do with her personality it felt like.
And for her supposedly being one of the best agents, this woman really abandons her training when day 1 of being undercover, she is flirting and seems to have hella anger issues and wants to clench her fists multiple times throughout the story or punch a lot of things. Lastly, I swear this woman moans every time she smells coffee or eats good food. Which is relatable but we didn't need it more than once or twice.
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
January 14, 2026
After a failed international mission CIA agent Nova Riley gets a chance to win over the jury in her trial by going undercover to get a billionaire behind bar for murder... However, things aren’t that easy! This book pulled me in from the start and even though I had an idea of the rat from the start, there were enough twists to keep me intrigued, I loved the banter between Nova and Owen, the found family is so diverse and so amazing. I love a strong FMC which is often underestimated and then shows people to not judge a book by its cover. The story is build up in a way that you root for both these characters, despite their flaws and mistakes! I did feel the ending was a bit rushed, would have loved to read more about the trials and how their lives evolved after. The cliffhanger at the end has me hoping for more stories, that I will definitely read!
Thank you Brilynn Schrader for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Thank you Brilynn Schrader for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
January 9, 2026
Blurred
Nova is a CIA agent assigned to find the evidence that Owen has murdered the three CEOs of companies his business has taken over. Owen is a modern day robin hood. Nova is conflicted when she falls for Owen. I laughed out loud so many times reading this book. During the very early morning sparring sessions and the interactions with Nova's friend Jax. I adored the ending and can't wait for book two. I am sure Parker, Owen's younger brother has gotten himself into quite a mess.
Nova is a CIA agent assigned to find the evidence that Owen has murdered the three CEOs of companies his business has taken over. Owen is a modern day robin hood. Nova is conflicted when she falls for Owen. I laughed out loud so many times reading this book. During the very early morning sparring sessions and the interactions with Nova's friend Jax. I adored the ending and can't wait for book two. I am sure Parker, Owen's younger brother has gotten himself into quite a mess.
January 6, 2026
3.5⭐️
This is my first romantic mystery and it did not disappoint.
Nova Riley is an undercover CIA agent under international investigation for an assignment that went terribly wrong. Nova’s tough exterior only hides PTSD from her previous assignment. While she awaits trial, and her fate as an agent, she’s given a new case: to find the evidence to put a murderer behind bars. It's an easy arrest on paper, but Nova quickly learns that not everything is as it seems!
Owen Mills, the billionaire CEO of Regenerative Industries; being investigated He is also accused of murdering the three CEOs of the companies he recently acquired.
Although Nova later uncovers the evil lurking beneath the surface of the murdered CEOs and their businesses. In addition Owen’s been using all the extra money from the acquisitions to secretly fund community projects in low-income areas.
The plot has the right amount of suspense, mystery, plot twist, banter, and slowburn romance.
Thank you NetGalley, .Brilynn O’Neal for this advance reader copy.
This is my first romantic mystery and it did not disappoint.
Nova Riley is an undercover CIA agent under international investigation for an assignment that went terribly wrong. Nova’s tough exterior only hides PTSD from her previous assignment. While she awaits trial, and her fate as an agent, she’s given a new case: to find the evidence to put a murderer behind bars. It's an easy arrest on paper, but Nova quickly learns that not everything is as it seems!
Owen Mills, the billionaire CEO of Regenerative Industries; being investigated He is also accused of murdering the three CEOs of the companies he recently acquired.
Although Nova later uncovers the evil lurking beneath the surface of the murdered CEOs and their businesses. In addition Owen’s been using all the extra money from the acquisitions to secretly fund community projects in low-income areas.
The plot has the right amount of suspense, mystery, plot twist, banter, and slowburn romance.
Thank you NetGalley, .Brilynn O’Neal for this advance reader copy.
January 4, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book! It was an enjoyable take on a Robin Hood vigilante whom a CIA agent was tasked with putting behind bars. I enjoyed the romance mixed with mystery aspect & the plot twist kept me guessing throughout the novel! Overall I would say 3.5 🌟
November 23, 2025
3⭐️
Nova & Owen
Robin Hood billionaire
Undercover CIA agent
Found family
Touch & 💀 vibes
Spice - 🌶️
Nova is a CIA agent whose latest assignment has gone very wrong. Battling with nightmares and a patchy memory whilst also facing a trail to determine her future, she’s assigned to expose a billionaire CEO for potentially ki!!ing people.
Owen, a CEO who seemingly is acquiring companies and dismantling them, is gifting money to numerous agricultural and small charities. On the surface this all appears legit, however, the former CEOs of those companies have turned up de💀d
This is a fun rom com with mystery elements. I definitely think the first half of the story is stronger. In that it doesn’t feel as rushed. We’re uncovering small pieces of information, whilst getting to know our two MCs.
The second half feels slightly chaotic. This isn’t necessarily bad, but there’s a lot happening and we’re navigating a lot of information that somehow connects together.
The twist/reveal I do think was obvious and it was frustrating that Nova doesn’t realise sooner, for someone so intelligent- I feel like there’s a lot of flaws in her thinking.
The epilogue definitely was a fun addition!
Overall, this was a quick and fun read!
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.
Nova & Owen
Robin Hood billionaire
Undercover CIA agent
Found family
Touch & 💀 vibes
Spice - 🌶️
Nova is a CIA agent whose latest assignment has gone very wrong. Battling with nightmares and a patchy memory whilst also facing a trail to determine her future, she’s assigned to expose a billionaire CEO for potentially ki!!ing people.
Owen, a CEO who seemingly is acquiring companies and dismantling them, is gifting money to numerous agricultural and small charities. On the surface this all appears legit, however, the former CEOs of those companies have turned up de💀d
This is a fun rom com with mystery elements. I definitely think the first half of the story is stronger. In that it doesn’t feel as rushed. We’re uncovering small pieces of information, whilst getting to know our two MCs.
The second half feels slightly chaotic. This isn’t necessarily bad, but there’s a lot happening and we’re navigating a lot of information that somehow connects together.
The twist/reveal I do think was obvious and it was frustrating that Nova doesn’t realise sooner, for someone so intelligent- I feel like there’s a lot of flaws in her thinking.
The epilogue definitely was a fun addition!
Overall, this was a quick and fun read!
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I never realized I needed a Romantic Mystery book in my life until now.
Nova is a disgraced CIA agent, about to face trial for a botched operation that she remembers little of.
He's a billionaire philanthropist suspected of murdering three rival CEOs after buying their companies.
Not all is what it seems, and that could get one, or both of them killed.
Nova and Owen completely captivated me. As fragments of their pasts slowly came to the surface, each reveal pulled me deeper into their story.
With brief flashbacks to the past, the fast-paced plot held me in its grip and kept me flipping pages late into the night. I found myself desperate to piece together every clue, determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding not just Owen’s alleged deeds, but the sabotage that derailed Nova’s mission.
Danger, mystery, witty banter, dark undercurrents, and buried secrets all come together in a truly captivating read. But the romance, found family, love, and passion add up to make this book hit straight in the heart.
The mystery elements reminded me of some of my favorite books by Elizabeth Peters. And the romance--paired with the heartfelt inner monologue--gave me Emily Henry vibes.
All in all, Blurred is a fantastic read. And given the ending, I'm expecting a sequel.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book. My opinions are my own and completely truthful.
Nova is a disgraced CIA agent, about to face trial for a botched operation that she remembers little of.
He's a billionaire philanthropist suspected of murdering three rival CEOs after buying their companies.
Not all is what it seems, and that could get one, or both of them killed.
Nova and Owen completely captivated me. As fragments of their pasts slowly came to the surface, each reveal pulled me deeper into their story.
With brief flashbacks to the past, the fast-paced plot held me in its grip and kept me flipping pages late into the night. I found myself desperate to piece together every clue, determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding not just Owen’s alleged deeds, but the sabotage that derailed Nova’s mission.
Danger, mystery, witty banter, dark undercurrents, and buried secrets all come together in a truly captivating read. But the romance, found family, love, and passion add up to make this book hit straight in the heart.
The mystery elements reminded me of some of my favorite books by Elizabeth Peters. And the romance--paired with the heartfelt inner monologue--gave me Emily Henry vibes.
All in all, Blurred is a fantastic read. And given the ending, I'm expecting a sequel.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book. My opinions are my own and completely truthful.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
Blurred by Brilynn O’Neal came so close to being a 5-star read for me. I’ve been wanting a CIA/FBI-style romance for forever, and this one definitely delivered on the intrigue, tension, and binge-worthy vibes. It’s fast-paced, addictive, and one of those books you start “just for a bit” and suddenly it’s over. 📖✨
The premise had me hooked immediately: Nova Riley is a CIA agent under investigation who goes undercover as the assistant to billionaire CEO Owen Mills—a man suspected of being tied to a string of mysterious deaths. Right away, there’s danger, secrets, and that delicious can I trust you or not? tension that I absolutely eat up. 😌🔥
Nova and Owen’s dynamic was a highlight for me. Their banter was fun and flirty, and I really loved the found-family moments sprinkled throughout—those relationships added so much heart and warmth to the story. I also enjoyed the moral gray area surrounding Owen. Is he a villain? A vigilante? A misunderstood hero? That constant uncertainty kept me turning the pages, even when I could guess a few of the twists ahead of time.
That said, a couple of things kept this from being a full five stars. The romance leaned a little more toward insta-love than I personally prefer, especially on Owen’s side—he falls fast and hard, before really knowing the real Nova. I also noticed a few undercover inconsistencies that pulled me out of the story, and at times Nova didn’t piece things together as quickly as I expected for someone so intelligent and highly trained. That was a little frustrating. 😅
The first half of the book felt especially strong—steadier pacing, slow reveals, and a great balance between romance and mystery. The second half got a bit chaotic (not necessarily bad, just a lot happening all at once), and I found myself wishing for a bit more on-page action and higher-stakes danger rather than things unfolding mostly behind the scenes.
Still, this was a fun, swoony, suspense-filled read with secrets, banter, undercover vibes, and a cliffhanger that absolutely left me wanting more. The epilogue was such a nice touch, and I’m genuinely curious to see what happens next. 💭💕
If you love:
🖤 Romantic suspense
🕵️♀️ Undercover / secret identity romances
💬 Flirty banter
👯 Found family moments
⚡ Fast-paced, bingeable reads
…then Blurred is definitely one to check out.
Thank you so much to Brilynn O’Neal and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own. 💖📚
Blurred by Brilynn O’Neal came so close to being a 5-star read for me. I’ve been wanting a CIA/FBI-style romance for forever, and this one definitely delivered on the intrigue, tension, and binge-worthy vibes. It’s fast-paced, addictive, and one of those books you start “just for a bit” and suddenly it’s over. 📖✨
The premise had me hooked immediately: Nova Riley is a CIA agent under investigation who goes undercover as the assistant to billionaire CEO Owen Mills—a man suspected of being tied to a string of mysterious deaths. Right away, there’s danger, secrets, and that delicious can I trust you or not? tension that I absolutely eat up. 😌🔥
Nova and Owen’s dynamic was a highlight for me. Their banter was fun and flirty, and I really loved the found-family moments sprinkled throughout—those relationships added so much heart and warmth to the story. I also enjoyed the moral gray area surrounding Owen. Is he a villain? A vigilante? A misunderstood hero? That constant uncertainty kept me turning the pages, even when I could guess a few of the twists ahead of time.
That said, a couple of things kept this from being a full five stars. The romance leaned a little more toward insta-love than I personally prefer, especially on Owen’s side—he falls fast and hard, before really knowing the real Nova. I also noticed a few undercover inconsistencies that pulled me out of the story, and at times Nova didn’t piece things together as quickly as I expected for someone so intelligent and highly trained. That was a little frustrating. 😅
The first half of the book felt especially strong—steadier pacing, slow reveals, and a great balance between romance and mystery. The second half got a bit chaotic (not necessarily bad, just a lot happening all at once), and I found myself wishing for a bit more on-page action and higher-stakes danger rather than things unfolding mostly behind the scenes.
Still, this was a fun, swoony, suspense-filled read with secrets, banter, undercover vibes, and a cliffhanger that absolutely left me wanting more. The epilogue was such a nice touch, and I’m genuinely curious to see what happens next. 💭💕
If you love:
🖤 Romantic suspense
🕵️♀️ Undercover / secret identity romances
💬 Flirty banter
👯 Found family moments
⚡ Fast-paced, bingeable reads
…then Blurred is definitely one to check out.
Thank you so much to Brilynn O’Neal and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own. 💖📚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Blurred by Brilynn O'Neal is a mystery rom-com that turns a typical Billionaire Romance on its head.
Nova Riley is a special agent with the CIA, and after a disastrous mission in Italy is reassigned to scope out Owen Mills - billionaire CEO with some dead bodies in his closet. As they work together on his various charities, Nova realises that perhaps the reason the CIA is after Owen is all wrong, and she is determined to find the truth, no matter if it costs her job - or her heart.
The premise is fun; a young, hot CEO intent of giving his money away, and a cop trying to dig into the secrets buried in his mergers and acquisitions. I breezed through reading this in 2 days, and I did have fun following the plot through all its twists and turns. What I struggled with was having to turn my brain off, because there were quite a few things I couldn't think too deeply about or it would take me out of the story.
Some things I couldn't think too hard on (minor spoilers):
Overall, Brilynn O'Neals romance debut is promising, and is worth a read for a pulpy, summer holidays novel. I'm glad I've been introduced to the author, and I'll probably check out her other works, but I will have to remind myself that these are meant to be mindless novels.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brilynn O'Neal for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nova Riley is a special agent with the CIA, and after a disastrous mission in Italy is reassigned to scope out Owen Mills - billionaire CEO with some dead bodies in his closet. As they work together on his various charities, Nova realises that perhaps the reason the CIA is after Owen is all wrong, and she is determined to find the truth, no matter if it costs her job - or her heart.
The premise is fun; a young, hot CEO intent of giving his money away, and a cop trying to dig into the secrets buried in his mergers and acquisitions. I breezed through reading this in 2 days, and I did have fun following the plot through all its twists and turns. What I struggled with was having to turn my brain off, because there were quite a few things I couldn't think too deeply about or it would take me out of the story.
Some things I couldn't think too hard on (minor spoilers):
Overall, Brilynn O'Neals romance debut is promising, and is worth a read for a pulpy, summer holidays novel. I'm glad I've been introduced to the author, and I'll probably check out her other works, but I will have to remind myself that these are meant to be mindless novels.
Thanks to NetGalley and Brilynn O'Neal for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2025
When I read the summary of the story, I was really excited to read it. An undercover agent is assigned a task where she has to find out if a man accused of killing three CEOs is guilty of the murders. But oops, she’s falling in love with her mark when she sees he’s not who she expected him to be. FMC having to protect the MMC is one of my favorite tropes, and this is a very niche microtrope of that that I enjoy. Although I enjoyed it, I had some issues with it.
One of those issues is constantly being told she’s gorgeous. At first, I was fine with it because it gives a visual of how she looks, and it’s something she’s been told all her life. But when every interaction with different people is brought up, it became too excessive.
Owen falling for her way too quickly. Flirty banter is fine, but he didn’t really get to know the real Nova before declaring his love for her. She at least tried to get to know him better before realizing she was falling for him. I dislike instalove/instalust, so this might just be a me thing.
I was expecting more action, but all we had was behind-the-scenes undercover work. It’s a rom-com mystery story, but I guess I was expecting more life-or-death situations.
The revelation was too conveniently resolved. Halfway through the book, I already had an idea who the mole was based on context clues.
It was a solid 3. The concept was right up my alley, and I definitely had a good time. It was a good palate cleanser from all the romantasy books I’ve been reading, but I was expecting something different.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilynn O'Neal for the ARC.
One of those issues is constantly being told she’s gorgeous. At first, I was fine with it because it gives a visual of how she looks, and it’s something she’s been told all her life. But when every interaction with different people is brought up, it became too excessive.
Owen falling for her way too quickly. Flirty banter is fine, but he didn’t really get to know the real Nova before declaring his love for her. She at least tried to get to know him better before realizing she was falling for him. I dislike instalove/instalust, so this might just be a me thing.
I was expecting more action, but all we had was behind-the-scenes undercover work. It’s a rom-com mystery story, but I guess I was expecting more life-or-death situations.
The revelation was too conveniently resolved. Halfway through the book, I already had an idea who the mole was based on context clues.
It was a solid 3. The concept was right up my alley, and I definitely had a good time. It was a good palate cleanser from all the romantasy books I’ve been reading, but I was expecting something different.
Thank you NetGalley and Brilynn O'Neal for the ARC.
December 19, 2025
♡ Robin Hood billionaire
♡ CEO Billionaire x CIA Agent
♡ Found Family
📚 𝚂𝚢𝚙𝚗𝚘𝚜𝚒𝚜:
Nova Riley is an undercover CIA agent awaiting trial after a failed mission when she’s given one last assignment: gather evidence against billionaire CEO Owen Mills, suspected of murder. As Nova investigates, she uncovers corruption tied to the victims and a surprising truth about Owen’s secret efforts to fund struggling communities. Caught between duty and desire, Nova must decide whether to save her career or the man she’s falling for, as the line between hero and villain begins to blur.
💭 𝙼𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
There were quite a few questionable moments and a lot of unanswered questions.
For starters, the main character is supposed to be a seasoned CIA agent, yet she makes a huge slip-up by introducing her new assignment to a real friend, who then casually calls her by her real name. That felt hard to believe for someone with years of experience.
Another confusing point: she asks a coworker to have her hacker boyfriend access some emails for a CIA assignment, but the boyfriend doesn’t even know his girlfriend works for the CIA. How exactly is that conversation supposed to happen?
Overall, the writing felt very “this happened, then this happened,” without much depth or explanation. I was missing the tension, the build-up, and the excitement. The chemistry between the characters didn’t really come through for me, and the supposedly badass CIA agent came across more like a newbie than a trained professional
Honestly, the only reason kept reading was to find out who the rat was.
♡ CEO Billionaire x CIA Agent
♡ Found Family
📚 𝚂𝚢𝚙𝚗𝚘𝚜𝚒𝚜:
Nova Riley is an undercover CIA agent awaiting trial after a failed mission when she’s given one last assignment: gather evidence against billionaire CEO Owen Mills, suspected of murder. As Nova investigates, she uncovers corruption tied to the victims and a surprising truth about Owen’s secret efforts to fund struggling communities. Caught between duty and desire, Nova must decide whether to save her career or the man she’s falling for, as the line between hero and villain begins to blur.
💭 𝙼𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
There were quite a few questionable moments and a lot of unanswered questions.
For starters, the main character is supposed to be a seasoned CIA agent, yet she makes a huge slip-up by introducing her new assignment to a real friend, who then casually calls her by her real name. That felt hard to believe for someone with years of experience.
Another confusing point: she asks a coworker to have her hacker boyfriend access some emails for a CIA assignment, but the boyfriend doesn’t even know his girlfriend works for the CIA. How exactly is that conversation supposed to happen?
Overall, the writing felt very “this happened, then this happened,” without much depth or explanation. I was missing the tension, the build-up, and the excitement. The chemistry between the characters didn’t really come through for me, and the supposedly badass CIA agent came across more like a newbie than a trained professional
Honestly, the only reason kept reading was to find out who the rat was.
January 17, 2026
This is a contemporary romantic suspense story filled with both heart and intrigue. I’m familiar with the authors style, but this was something new, and it had me flipping pages immediately!
The FMC is undercover CIA agent Nova Riley. Her last assignment went awry, and she’s currently under investigation and awaiting a possible trial for her past decisions. She has some real PTSD from that assignment as well. She’s given a new case that seems deceptively simple but proves to be way more convoluted than it initially appeared. Nova is brilliant, tenacious, and committed to her job, but also committed to doing what she knows is right in her heart. Upon meeting Owen, the facts of the case do not support the man she gets to know, and she quickly finds herself wanting to prove to herself that he is not the culprit.
The MMC is Owen Mills, a very wealthy CEO. He is under suspicion of killing the CEOs of companies he has bought. However, he shows absolute dedication in supporting communities and people with the funds from those acquisitions. Owen may have a no-nonsense, refined, tough exterior but his generous heart draws Nova in, and his protective nature immediately invites her to trust him. But can he really be this kind AND a possible vigilante killer? How? Why?
The world building was paced well and each chapter increased the tension as well as heightens the stakes. There is still quite a bit of mystery right up until the ending and I felt like the author was right on with how all of the clues unfolded. A great book in a new direction for Brilynn, and I highly recommend this story!
The FMC is undercover CIA agent Nova Riley. Her last assignment went awry, and she’s currently under investigation and awaiting a possible trial for her past decisions. She has some real PTSD from that assignment as well. She’s given a new case that seems deceptively simple but proves to be way more convoluted than it initially appeared. Nova is brilliant, tenacious, and committed to her job, but also committed to doing what she knows is right in her heart. Upon meeting Owen, the facts of the case do not support the man she gets to know, and she quickly finds herself wanting to prove to herself that he is not the culprit.
The MMC is Owen Mills, a very wealthy CEO. He is under suspicion of killing the CEOs of companies he has bought. However, he shows absolute dedication in supporting communities and people with the funds from those acquisitions. Owen may have a no-nonsense, refined, tough exterior but his generous heart draws Nova in, and his protective nature immediately invites her to trust him. But can he really be this kind AND a possible vigilante killer? How? Why?
The world building was paced well and each chapter increased the tension as well as heightens the stakes. There is still quite a bit of mystery right up until the ending and I felt like the author was right on with how all of the clues unfolded. A great book in a new direction for Brilynn, and I highly recommend this story!
Read
October 18, 2025Nova Riley, agente encubierta de la CIA, lo ha perdido todo tras una misión que terminó en un baño de sangre y una investigación internacional que amenaza con destruir su carrera. Culpable o no, su reputación pende de un hilo. Pero cuando su director le asigna un nuevo caso, uno mucho más cercano a casa, Nova debe convertirse en la asistente personal del multimillonario Owen Mills, un hombre tan encantador como peligroso, sospechoso de asesinar a los CEO de las empresas que adquiere.
Infiltrarse en su mundo de lujos, secretos y fundaciones caritativas es el reto más complicado de su vida. Owen no es el criminal común: es inteligente, observador y tiene una sonrisa capaz de desarmar hasta la mente más fría. Mientras Nova intenta desenmascararlo, comienza a cuestionar su propia percepción del bien y el mal, y las líneas entre el deber y el deseo se vuelven peligrosamente borrosas.
___
Me choca cuando me venden a una mujer fuerte, inteligente y buena en lo que hace para que al segundo que conoce al protagonista se atonte y todo lo que se supone que es se le olvide, y de repente no pueda hilar una oración, se ponga nerviosa y no pueda hacer su trabajo. Tampoco me gustó que al final sea ella quien hace de todo para sacarlo de la cárcel y él no la busque inmediatamente, es más, hasta la ignora y termina siendo ella quien se le declara.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Infiltrarse en su mundo de lujos, secretos y fundaciones caritativas es el reto más complicado de su vida. Owen no es el criminal común: es inteligente, observador y tiene una sonrisa capaz de desarmar hasta la mente más fría. Mientras Nova intenta desenmascararlo, comienza a cuestionar su propia percepción del bien y el mal, y las líneas entre el deber y el deseo se vuelven peligrosamente borrosas.
___
Me choca cuando me venden a una mujer fuerte, inteligente y buena en lo que hace para que al segundo que conoce al protagonista se atonte y todo lo que se supone que es se le olvide, y de repente no pueda hilar una oración, se ponga nerviosa y no pueda hacer su trabajo. Tampoco me gustó que al final sea ella quien hace de todo para sacarlo de la cárcel y él no la busque inmediatamente, es más, hasta la ignora y termina siendo ella quien se le declara.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Before I get into this, I just want to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm so glad I read it. I genuinely could not put it down. Was is great? No. Would I recommend it anyway? Absolutely.
First of all, I have no idea how the CIA actually work, but this cannot be right. Bringing your friends into it? Accidently revealing your real name and life story? I mean, I know our government is a mess, but I'd like to believe the CIA has it together a little more than this. That said, if you suspend all logic, realism, and expectations of accuracy (which I did), it's extremely entertaining.
One major question I still have: why was the foot fetish never addressed when it was clearly hinted at multiple times??? Like, if it didn't actually matter to the plot, why keep mentioning him staring at her feet. I needed answers.
And then we're just casually gonna drop a brief mention of a potential ménage à trois right at the end?? Excuse me?? I mean I loved it, but also like what?
Overall, this was a wildly entertaining read. The plot is technically there, no idea if the facts are, but I didn't really care. It somehow reminded me of Miss Congeniality while also being nothing like it at all. I truly don't know how to describe this book other than: I was confused, I was entertained, and I had a great time. 10/10 recommend.
First of all, I have no idea how the CIA actually work, but this cannot be right. Bringing your friends into it? Accidently revealing your real name and life story? I mean, I know our government is a mess, but I'd like to believe the CIA has it together a little more than this. That said, if you suspend all logic, realism, and expectations of accuracy (which I did), it's extremely entertaining.
One major question I still have: why was the foot fetish never addressed when it was clearly hinted at multiple times??? Like, if it didn't actually matter to the plot, why keep mentioning him staring at her feet. I needed answers.
And then we're just casually gonna drop a brief mention of a potential ménage à trois right at the end?? Excuse me?? I mean I loved it, but also like what?
Overall, this was a wildly entertaining read. The plot is technically there, no idea if the facts are, but I didn't really care. It somehow reminded me of Miss Congeniality while also being nothing like it at all. I truly don't know how to describe this book other than: I was confused, I was entertained, and I had a great time. 10/10 recommend.
January 7, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
This was such a fast, engaging read that kept me hooked from start to finish. The pacing is tight and the chapters move quickly, making it very easy to binge in just a few sittings.
I really enjoyed the blend of romantic suspense and mystery, especially the way the story plays with moral ambiguity. Nothing is presented as purely good or evil, and that constant tension made the plot feel layered and compelling. Each reveal added just enough intrigue to keep me guessing without ever feeling confusing or rushed.
Nova is a strong, capable FMC who feels grounded and driven, and I appreciated how her character balances vulnerability with determination. Watching her navigate an undercover role where the stakes are personal as well as professional added depth to the story. Owen was a standout as well — his character is morally complex, and the push and pull between suspicion, attraction, and trust created a really engaging dynamic between them. Their chemistry builds naturally and feels earned.
While I did anticipate a few elements of the mystery, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. The banter, tension, and emotional stakes kept the story moving and made it consistently entertaining.
Overall, this was a quick, satisfying romantic mystery with strong momentum, engaging characters, and a compelling central relationship. I’d definitely read more from this author.
This was such a fast, engaging read that kept me hooked from start to finish. The pacing is tight and the chapters move quickly, making it very easy to binge in just a few sittings.
I really enjoyed the blend of romantic suspense and mystery, especially the way the story plays with moral ambiguity. Nothing is presented as purely good or evil, and that constant tension made the plot feel layered and compelling. Each reveal added just enough intrigue to keep me guessing without ever feeling confusing or rushed.
Nova is a strong, capable FMC who feels grounded and driven, and I appreciated how her character balances vulnerability with determination. Watching her navigate an undercover role where the stakes are personal as well as professional added depth to the story. Owen was a standout as well — his character is morally complex, and the push and pull between suspicion, attraction, and trust created a really engaging dynamic between them. Their chemistry builds naturally and feels earned.
While I did anticipate a few elements of the mystery, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. The banter, tension, and emotional stakes kept the story moving and made it consistently entertaining.
Overall, this was a quick, satisfying romantic mystery with strong momentum, engaging characters, and a compelling central relationship. I’d definitely read more from this author.
January 8, 2026
Blurred is a romantic mystery suspense story. I got sucked in right from the beginning. I honestly enjoyed this way more than I thought I was going to.
Nova is such a smart, fierce, woman. She is physically and mentally strong. She is an undercover CIA agent who is assigned to bring down Owen Mills. He is the CEO of Regenerative Industries and is suspected of murdering three CEO's of the companies he recently acquired. As Nova begins to dig into Owen though, she learns that he may be rightfully suspected. However, while learning about his evil doings, she also learns that he uses all the extra money from acquisitions to fund community projects in low income areas. Sometimes, the good does outweigh the evil. Nova and Owen begin to fall for each other, but Owen still doesn't know who she really is and why she's there. Until he gets arrested. Now she needs to figure out how to find evidence to help him get out, who is sabotaging them to begin with, and role this person plays into her lost mission that went sideways.
The story is addicting and moves at a nice steady pace. I can't with the cliffhanger though!! I need to know what happens next. I feel like I was left hanging at the edge of my seat and I don't know where to go from here! This was a really enjoyable read! I can't wait for the next one!
Nova is such a smart, fierce, woman. She is physically and mentally strong. She is an undercover CIA agent who is assigned to bring down Owen Mills. He is the CEO of Regenerative Industries and is suspected of murdering three CEO's of the companies he recently acquired. As Nova begins to dig into Owen though, she learns that he may be rightfully suspected. However, while learning about his evil doings, she also learns that he uses all the extra money from acquisitions to fund community projects in low income areas. Sometimes, the good does outweigh the evil. Nova and Owen begin to fall for each other, but Owen still doesn't know who she really is and why she's there. Until he gets arrested. Now she needs to figure out how to find evidence to help him get out, who is sabotaging them to begin with, and role this person plays into her lost mission that went sideways.
The story is addicting and moves at a nice steady pace. I can't with the cliffhanger though!! I need to know what happens next. I feel like I was left hanging at the edge of my seat and I don't know where to go from here! This was a really enjoyable read! I can't wait for the next one!
February 14, 2026
I’m giving this a 4 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
In this high-stakes romantic suspense, we follow an undercover agent who finds the lines between duty and desire becoming dangerously thin. The setting—a secluded, atmospheric cabin in the woods—adds a layer of "forced proximity" that makes every interaction feel electric.
The Good:
The romantic suspense element is top-tier! I loved how the "good vs. evil" theme was explored through the characters, making me question everyone's motives right along with the protagonist. The chemistry between the leads is a slow-burn masterpiece, and the way they have to rely on each other for survival really heightens the emotional stakes. Plus, the cover art perfectly captures that moody, forest aesthetic that I’m currently obsessed with.
The Not-So-Good:
While the action was intense, there were a few moments in the middle where the pacing slowed down as the characters spent a bit too much time in their own heads. I also felt the final reveal of the "villain" happened a little too quickly—I would have loved just a few more chapters of that delicious cat-and-mouse game before the ending!
Obsessed with "undercover" tropes and high-stakes romance? Head over to my profile @TheLitWhisperer for my "Secrets & Spies" reading list!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
In this high-stakes romantic suspense, we follow an undercover agent who finds the lines between duty and desire becoming dangerously thin. The setting—a secluded, atmospheric cabin in the woods—adds a layer of "forced proximity" that makes every interaction feel electric.
The Good:
The romantic suspense element is top-tier! I loved how the "good vs. evil" theme was explored through the characters, making me question everyone's motives right along with the protagonist. The chemistry between the leads is a slow-burn masterpiece, and the way they have to rely on each other for survival really heightens the emotional stakes. Plus, the cover art perfectly captures that moody, forest aesthetic that I’m currently obsessed with.
The Not-So-Good:
While the action was intense, there were a few moments in the middle where the pacing slowed down as the characters spent a bit too much time in their own heads. I also felt the final reveal of the "villain" happened a little too quickly—I would have loved just a few more chapters of that delicious cat-and-mouse game before the ending!
Obsessed with "undercover" tropes and high-stakes romance? Head over to my profile @TheLitWhisperer for my "Secrets & Spies" reading list!
February 22, 2026
I tried with this book. I really did. The premise seemed like something right up my alley. But I ended up dnf-ing at 30% cause I really just couldn’t handle it anymore.
1. The writing just wasn’t for me. I’m honestly not sure what it is/what the author could change, but it wasn’t working for me.
2. One of my biggest no-no’s in a book is when one mc walks in on the other mc with ow/om. In this book, by the 30% mark, she had walked in on him with another woman twice. Granted, the FMC/MMC weren’t together yet, but it’s still so gross to me.
3. I wasn’t a big fan of the FMC. I’m honestly confused on why she went in acting so unprofessionally with the MMC, who’s literally her new boss. And why she was so snarky towards Parker when they had literally just met.
4. Really didn’t care for Owen either. This is somewhat unfair to say, cause it’s literally in the blurb, but I’m so tired of the “billionaire who secretly has a heart of gold” trope. It’s overused at this point. But then again, billionaire romances in general don’t work for me so.
5. I feel like the pacing was off? I got to 30% and I feel like literally nothing was happening? Or maybe I’m just impatient?
Overall, just not for me. Just a case of fun concept, bad execution. The 1 extra star is for the fun concept.
Thank you to netgalley for the book.
1. The writing just wasn’t for me. I’m honestly not sure what it is/what the author could change, but it wasn’t working for me.
2. One of my biggest no-no’s in a book is when one mc walks in on the other mc with ow/om. In this book, by the 30% mark, she had walked in on him with another woman twice. Granted, the FMC/MMC weren’t together yet, but it’s still so gross to me.
3. I wasn’t a big fan of the FMC. I’m honestly confused on why she went in acting so unprofessionally with the MMC, who’s literally her new boss. And why she was so snarky towards Parker when they had literally just met.
4. Really didn’t care for Owen either. This is somewhat unfair to say, cause it’s literally in the blurb, but I’m so tired of the “billionaire who secretly has a heart of gold” trope. It’s overused at this point. But then again, billionaire romances in general don’t work for me so.
5. I feel like the pacing was off? I got to 30% and I feel like literally nothing was happening? Or maybe I’m just impatient?
Overall, just not for me. Just a case of fun concept, bad execution. The 1 extra star is for the fun concept.
Thank you to netgalley for the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a romcom with low spice. I will say that the blurb did not exactly show what the story about. I thought we were going to get some solving crimes and trying to prove Nova's been wrongly charged for a mission she has no memory of.
It's very clear that Nova is beautiful, but did it we need to be reminded so many times. It seemed like the main focus was on how she looked. There is a lot of repetitive actions throughout this book. Also, what happened with the murdered CEO's, it was like just blown over as not important.
This mainly focused on Nova and her watching Owen to flirting and falling in love. Where was the best agent and all that, because I am pretty sure that flirting and falling for your mark is not something most agents would do so quickly. I felt as the author didn't really care to make Nova a believable CIA agent due to the scenes in the book.
I did however want to know who the mole was because I had some guess about half way or 3/4 way through this so I had to stay in the story to figure out who it was. Overall, this sadly fell flat for me. There are so many questions left open but not sure I would read more of these characters.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this early. All of my opinions are my own.
It's very clear that Nova is beautiful, but did it we need to be reminded so many times. It seemed like the main focus was on how she looked. There is a lot of repetitive actions throughout this book. Also, what happened with the murdered CEO's, it was like just blown over as not important.
This mainly focused on Nova and her watching Owen to flirting and falling in love. Where was the best agent and all that, because I am pretty sure that flirting and falling for your mark is not something most agents would do so quickly. I felt as the author didn't really care to make Nova a believable CIA agent due to the scenes in the book.
I did however want to know who the mole was because I had some guess about half way or 3/4 way through this so I had to stay in the story to figure out who it was. Overall, this sadly fell flat for me. There are so many questions left open but not sure I would read more of these characters.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this early. All of my opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
While not exactly what I was expecting, this book was still a really good story and I cannot wait for the next one.
There are parts of this book that work really well for me - I loved both the main characters, and I loved the layering and nuance that is written in their characters. I appreciated that this book didn't fall into the black and white morality - both acknowledging that the CIA can be pretty sketchy while agents try to do good things, and that justice doesn't always look a specific way. I also really liked that Nova was written as kickass as she was.
I was minorly annoyed my how quickly Nova switches to rooting for Owen - it felt like I was more suspicious than she was at times (in this instance it reminds me of writing advice I once heard - characters don't know what genre they are in. Nova is very much written as a CIA agent in a romance instead of as a CIA agent in a thriller or spy novel). Which isn't a dealbreaker since the plot moves so much faster this way, but did irk me at times.
I also called the mole almost immediately (like in the first few chapters), which again I feel like the CIA agents should be more suspicious than I am, but again this wasn't a huge deal since there were other interesting plot twists. I think I was just expecting more since the big one was pretty obvious to me so I kept waiting for it to turn out to be something else.
Overall I liked this book but I would have enjoyed it better I think if I hadn't expected the typical twisty spy plotlines. I think anyone who is looking for a romantic suspense story than happens to have a CIA plot will be happy to read it.
There are parts of this book that work really well for me - I loved both the main characters, and I loved the layering and nuance that is written in their characters. I appreciated that this book didn't fall into the black and white morality - both acknowledging that the CIA can be pretty sketchy while agents try to do good things, and that justice doesn't always look a specific way. I also really liked that Nova was written as kickass as she was.
I was minorly annoyed my how quickly Nova switches to rooting for Owen - it felt like I was more suspicious than she was at times (in this instance it reminds me of writing advice I once heard - characters don't know what genre they are in. Nova is very much written as a CIA agent in a romance instead of as a CIA agent in a thriller or spy novel). Which isn't a dealbreaker since the plot moves so much faster this way, but did irk me at times.
I also called the mole almost immediately (like in the first few chapters), which again I feel like the CIA agents should be more suspicious than I am, but again this wasn't a huge deal since there were other interesting plot twists. I think I was just expecting more since the big one was pretty obvious to me so I kept waiting for it to turn out to be something else.
Overall I liked this book but I would have enjoyed it better I think if I hadn't expected the typical twisty spy plotlines. I think anyone who is looking for a romantic suspense story than happens to have a CIA plot will be happy to read it.
January 14, 2026
Don’t let the cover fool you—this book is packed with action, suspense, and a slow-burn love story woven throughout. Nova becomes a CI agent driven by revenge after her father’s death following a botched mission she was the lead agent on. That failure and loss shape everything she does, though it’s separate from her current assignment.
Her latest mission should be a simple undercover job. Going in as “Nora,” she’s tasked with uncovering espionage within a PR company. Owen, the company’s head, is her prime suspect, and her objective is to expose him as the saboteur. As the investigation unfolds, Nova and Owen are forced to work together to uncover the real culprit. Along the way, Nova begins to question not only Owen, but everyone she’s trusted throughout her career.
Overall, this was a very engaging read filled with suspense and strong chemistry between the characters. The cliffhanger ending definitely caught me off guard, and I’m curious to see what happens next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilynn Schrader for providing this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Her latest mission should be a simple undercover job. Going in as “Nora,” she’s tasked with uncovering espionage within a PR company. Owen, the company’s head, is her prime suspect, and her objective is to expose him as the saboteur. As the investigation unfolds, Nova and Owen are forced to work together to uncover the real culprit. Along the way, Nova begins to question not only Owen, but everyone she’s trusted throughout her career.
Overall, this was a very engaging read filled with suspense and strong chemistry between the characters. The cliffhanger ending definitely caught me off guard, and I’m curious to see what happens next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilynn Schrader for providing this free advanced copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 17, 2026
Nova and Owen were a pair that technically never should have happened. CIA undercover agent and her target who would have thought.
What happens when this mission becomes personal? Is Owen guilty of what they say he is?
I loved these characters. They were a joy to read about and I loved how Nova had a huge support system behind her that she could rely on. Same can be said for Owen but we get to know hers a lot more.
I will say Nova being a CIA agent wasn’t careful when it came to making sure Owen thought she was Nora. She made a big mistake twice that could have really cost her if her target was someone else.
This book did have me laughing a few times. All I’ll say is it had to do with Owen’s new assistant that Nova gives him towards the end of the book.
I’m sorry but that little bit of a cliffhanger! I need to know what happened!
Did I mean to read this sooner yes but I’m glad I read it when I did. I’ve read all of Brilynn’s books as arcs and I’ve loved each of them. This book is different from her other series so if you’ve read it don’t go into this one thinking it’s going to be the same. I read this book as an arc.
What happens when this mission becomes personal? Is Owen guilty of what they say he is?
I loved these characters. They were a joy to read about and I loved how Nova had a huge support system behind her that she could rely on. Same can be said for Owen but we get to know hers a lot more.
I will say Nova being a CIA agent wasn’t careful when it came to making sure Owen thought she was Nora. She made a big mistake twice that could have really cost her if her target was someone else.
This book did have me laughing a few times. All I’ll say is it had to do with Owen’s new assistant that Nova gives him towards the end of the book.
I’m sorry but that little bit of a cliffhanger! I need to know what happened!
Did I mean to read this sooner yes but I’m glad I read it when I did. I’ve read all of Brilynn’s books as arcs and I’ve loved each of them. This book is different from her other series so if you’ve read it don’t go into this one thinking it’s going to be the same. I read this book as an arc.
October 18, 2025
This is a 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5 star read! It captured me from the beginning. I loved it and can’t wait for the next book.
This is a billionaire romance, with a little Robin Hood vigilante, mystery, CIA investigation story. It was very well written and played out like a movie.
The FMC is a badass CIA agent that doesn’t always follow the rules, but fights for what she believes in, all while battling her own problems. The MMC is a billionaire with a tough exterior but a heart of gold that tries to run his families business all the while setting up charities that give back to the community. When he inherited the company he puts a stop to many illegal doings that was going on with drugs, human trafficking and other crimes behind the scenes. This soon found him in hot water with those criminals and they were determined to take him out. As the FMC went undercover to expose the MMC, she soon found that it wasn’t at all what it seemed. She was determined to get to the bottom of it all and in the process may have found her future.
This is a billionaire romance, with a little Robin Hood vigilante, mystery, CIA investigation story. It was very well written and played out like a movie.
The FMC is a badass CIA agent that doesn’t always follow the rules, but fights for what she believes in, all while battling her own problems. The MMC is a billionaire with a tough exterior but a heart of gold that tries to run his families business all the while setting up charities that give back to the community. When he inherited the company he puts a stop to many illegal doings that was going on with drugs, human trafficking and other crimes behind the scenes. This soon found him in hot water with those criminals and they were determined to take him out. As the FMC went undercover to expose the MMC, she soon found that it wasn’t at all what it seemed. She was determined to get to the bottom of it all and in the process may have found her future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2025
** ARC Review **
Blurred by Brilynn O'Neal is a phenomenal romantic suspense novel that I absolutely could not put down! I was hooked from the first page by the intriguing premise: Nova Riley, a CIA agent under investigation, goes undercover as the assistant to a billionaire CEO, Owen Mills, who she's supposed to be investigating for murder.
The dynamic between Nova and Owen is electric. The banter is fantastic, and the slow-burn, forbidden romance had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved the moral ambiguity of the story—is Owen a ruthless murderer, or a Robin Hood-style vigilante? The line between hero and villain is genuinely "blurred," making the mystery incredibly engaging. Every time I thought I had the twists figured out, I was proven wrong.
O'Neal masterfully combines suspense, mystery, and a spicy romance into a fast-paced, addictive read. The ending is perfect and will leave readers desperate for the next book in the series. If you enjoy forbidden romance, secret identities, and a gripping plot, you need to read this!
Blurred by Brilynn O'Neal is a phenomenal romantic suspense novel that I absolutely could not put down! I was hooked from the first page by the intriguing premise: Nova Riley, a CIA agent under investigation, goes undercover as the assistant to a billionaire CEO, Owen Mills, who she's supposed to be investigating for murder.
The dynamic between Nova and Owen is electric. The banter is fantastic, and the slow-burn, forbidden romance had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved the moral ambiguity of the story—is Owen a ruthless murderer, or a Robin Hood-style vigilante? The line between hero and villain is genuinely "blurred," making the mystery incredibly engaging. Every time I thought I had the twists figured out, I was proven wrong.
O'Neal masterfully combines suspense, mystery, and a spicy romance into a fast-paced, addictive read. The ending is perfect and will leave readers desperate for the next book in the series. If you enjoy forbidden romance, secret identities, and a gripping plot, you need to read this!
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