One Thing Leads to a Lover by Susanna Craig | ARC Review

Series: Love and Let Spy, #2
Traits & Tropes: widowed heroine; beta hero; spies
Publication Date: 04.06.21
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; London, England
Heat Level: 2
Rating: 3/5

Amanda Bartlett has always done what was expected of her, which has resulted in a rather dull life. Now the eminently respectable widowed Countess of Kingston and mother of two young boys, she craves a bit of adventure. When just such a thing quite literally bumps into her on a London street in the form of a small book, she takes advantage of the situation and the closeness it brings her with a fascinating man.

Major Sir Langley Stanhope, expert mimic better known to his fellow intelligence operatives as Magpie, has lost the confidence of his colleagues and his faith in his own abilities since a mission went horribly awry. Now he’s charged with the seemingly simple task of retrieving a codebook from the hands of a Mayfair matron. But things aren’t so simple and when the enemy learns the book is in Amanda’s possession, she and her family find themselves in danger from which Langley must protect them. He also must contend with his dangerous attraction to her. His life isn’t conducive to taking a wife, but he may be underestimating Amanda’s determination and her mutual feelings for him.

I love the premise of this series and was very excited for the setup of this book, but it sadly left me underwhelmed. I loved the insecure beta hero, but he was let down by a weak, rather air-headed heroine. Amanda lamented the dreariness of her life but refused to stand up for herself to anyone, even her own mother or the servants in her employ. She was described as being clever, but I never saw any evidence of that, especially when her behavior and poor decision-making, in the name of interest and adventure, endangered several lives, not to mention her own and those of her sons. There was an excellent opportunity for her to redeem herself by more or less saving the day but instead the heroics were executed by Langley, mostly off page, and just wound up being incredibly anticlimactic.

I also wanted more emotion and vulnerability from Amanda, especially since poor Langley had his feelings and pain dragged out and discussed openly in front of Amanda by third parties, with little input or by your leave from him. That was one of the more cringy scenes I’ve read and put me off the heroine and some of the side characters, as well as, for me, representing a lost opportunity for some endearing insight for the hero. As it was, the concept of this book was excellent but to me consisted of too much missed opportunity and fell short. Nonetheless, I love the premise of this series and there was nothing wrong with the writing itself, so I’ll likely try the next book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1015308972
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3488466399



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