Series: Love and Let Spy, #4
Traits & Tropes: estranged spouses; second chance; spies; titled hero; scarred hero; compromised
Publication Date: 08.02.22
Genre/Setting: Historical; Regency; Brighton/London, England, 1808
Heat Level: 2.5
Rating: 4/5
Caroline has been the Marchioness of Chesleigh for six years, but she hasn’t set eyes on her husband since the first few days after their wedding. Scarred, private Maxim was far from ready to let a wife into his heart and instead immediately went back to France to continue his espionage work, thinking Caro would be better off without him.
Upon inheriting the Dukedom of Hartwell from his estranged grandfather, Maxim returns to England to find his wife has changed and isn’t quite as soft as she once was. She’s had to learn independence and that is his fault, but the physical attraction between them is still strong. As Caro learns the secrets Maxim once hoped to keep from her, the bond between them begins to strengthen, though danger has followed him home from France and threatens their reunion.
I liked this version of second chance because, unlike many books in this trope, this one doesn’t focus overmuch on the time the MCs spent apart. Instead, the focus is more on their reunion and the two characters coming together again. Outside forces speed this along and Caro and Maxim grow to need each other, and with Maxim finally willing to admit that it was a very satisfying bit of character development. His finally being willing to open up to her lowered the angst level here, which I always appreciate, and I loved that Caro and Maxim were both so protective of each other. Her family needed to be put in their place and I liked the fact that Maxim stepped in and forced them to respect her, though I think she still deserved more of an apology than she really received. We also get a bit of a side romance here with Fitz Hopkins and Fanny Drummond that I found charming, though I’ve never much cared for Fanny and I think their HEA was a bit open and unsatisfying for me. Otherwise, I liked the level of suspense here and especially enjoyed the open communication that was finally established between Maxim and Caro. They at last became a team and I loved that aspect. All in all, this was a satisfying conclusion to a cute series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3697888542
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4468708176
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