Love Undercover

Upstate NY #2

by Jean C. Gordon

A few too many messy divorce cases and custody battles have convinced Tina Cannon to change her specialty from family law to financial planning and move her young daughter out of the city to a place that has the small town values Tina grew up with. So the offer from her Uncle Jack to join his planning practice in Genesee, her hometown, couldn't have come at a better time. Tina is in for a few surprises, though, not the least of which is her perplexingly uncooperative and devastatingly attractive first client Devon O'Neil.

Devon has ties to Genesee too. But they aren't as pleasant as Tina's. This is where his grandmother died nearly penniless, bilked out of her hard-earned nest egg by an unscrupulous financial planner--Uncle Jack. Devon, a private investigator, devises a plan to expose Jack by posing as a lottery winner looking for financial guidance. Tina, however, is upsetting his plan. She's Jack's niece and in business with him, so she must be a crook, too, right? So, why does he seem so intent on proving her innocent instead of guilty?

With Tina's widowed father playing matchmaker in the background, she faces off with Devon in the securities fraud investigation that raises more than a few sparks and teaches them both that while appearances can be deceiving, love shines true.

192 pages, Hardcover

Published April 1, 2001

Reviews

[Nadine Keels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devon, a private investigator, is secretly out to expose Kendall & Associates for their fraudulent financial practices. But a certain "associate"—beautiful, single mother Tina—is in the mix, and as much of a crook as she may be, Devon finds himself hoping that she's innocent.

Love Undercover is the second romance I've read by author Jean C. Gordon, and I finished the bulk of it over the course of an evening. As I didn't read the book blurb beforehand, the title was my general hint that the book might include some suspense.

Still, I didn't go into it looking for that, and I wasn't hit over the head with it when it did appear. The suspense eases into the story without fanfare or a loud, corny announcement (the literary equivalent of a musical "dun-dun-DUUUN" in a movie.) The simple approach and gradual heightening of that element of tension is fitting for this story. Also, Tina's and Devon's unspoken feelings of uncertainty and guilt in their individual lives add an interesting layer to each of their characters.

The pacing toward the beginning of the romance didn't have me fully convinced; the true feelings behind Devon's romantic actions weren't clear to me, and I wasn't sure what all Tina found attractive about him yet. Also, the characters' direct thoughts aren't always italicized, and in some places, the characters' thoughts and the narrator's voice seem a bit jumbled together.

Still, any reader who can appreciate a quick, sweet romance with suspense tied in can enjoy this story.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Toni Shiloh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love Undercover is a sweet story. Tina has moved back to her hometown for a fresh start working for her Uncle Jack. When she gets a new client, Devon, she starts to wonder if a romance is possible. However, Devon isn't who he says he is. He's there to investigate her Uncle.

The romance was sweet and the suspense of wondering if Uncle Jack was innocent or not, moved the story along at a steady pace. A nice quick read if you're short on time.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

library ebook
he is investigator, his grandma died and someone in financial planning office ripped her off. he is undercover trying to find out who
she is divorced with 5 yr old girl living with her dad, her mom died
she is working for uncle in financial planning office, she used to be lawyer in ny
this takes place upstate ny which is why im reading it
they are attracted to each other and shared a kiss, but she said she couldnt go there with him as he is a client. he is claiming he won a million dollars in the lotto so he can find out if they bilk him too.
i think its the uncle, she wasnt even there at the time

her dad went missing in a flood with his new girlfriend. they both headed there , 7 hrs away, to help i the search. they were found and the lady had a broken ankle but her dad was ok despite being diabetic

the police and fbi found out about the fraud. the uncle and receptionist took off to costa rica, they arrested her by mistake but apologized and she was able to get more clients

the pi asked her to marry him and she said yes

[Sally Stackhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nicely written novella, good characters, good plot. Slightly rushed in places due to its length.

[DJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Undercover is an excellent read...

When I met Tina Cannon, I was certain she couldn't be the deceitful crook Devon had her pegged as, could she? Devon O'Neil seemed pretty sure of himself -- and his facts.

Then we have Tina's Uncle Jack... and her Dad... so who's the crook?

I'm hoping I can convince you how much I enjoyed reading Love Undercover -- without giving away any spoilers, or too much information. Even though I was pretty sure I knew who the crooks were, there were moments when I almost doubted myself -- especially when evidence to the contrary was revealed!

But that's enough . . . really, I can't reveal anything else; or I would spoil it for you. But you should read it -- you really should. And if you haven't read the first book in the series, don't miss it. You can even read them out of order, and it'll be fine!

Just don’t miss out on this wonderful story.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devon wants to know how his grandmother was scammed out of her money. Tina came back home to give her daughter a better life and be less "pressed" about her job. When Tina's uncle offers her a job, she takes it. Her uncle gives her a client- Devon. Suddenly their worlds collide as Tina tries to prove herself and Devon tries to find out what happened to his grandmothers money. Can anything good end up here? Read this book to find out! Thoroughly enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.