Title: I Spy a Duke (Covert Heiresses #1)
Author: Erica Monroe
Publisher:_Quillfire PublishingGenre: Historical Fiction, Regency, Romance, Espionage
Publication: October 5, 2015
My Rating: 4/5
Source: Publisher on NetGalley
She wants revenge…
When bluestocking Vivienne Loren becomes the governess for the wealthy Spencer family, she's searching for clues about the murder of her brother, not a husband. But Vivienne didn't count on James Spencer, the autocratic and infuriatingly handsome Duke of Abermont.
He needs a wife…
As head of Britain’s elite intelligence agency, James has no time to woo a wife. When he discovers Vivienne’s thirst for revenge has made her a pawn in the treacherous plot, James realizes they can help each other. She’ll become his duchess, and he’ll keep her safe from one of Napoleon’s deadliest spies.
What begins as a marriage of convenience quickly becomes anything but, as they find out love is the most dangerous mission of all.
When bluestocking Vivienne Loren becomes the governess for the wealthy Spencer family, she's searching for clues about the murder of her brother, not a husband. But Vivienne didn't count on James Spencer, the autocratic and infuriatingly handsome Duke of Abermont.
He needs a wife…
As head of Britain’s elite intelligence agency, James has no time to woo a wife. When he discovers Vivienne’s thirst for revenge has made her a pawn in the treacherous plot, James realizes they can help each other. She’ll become his duchess, and he’ll keep her safe from one of Napoleon’s deadliest spies.
What begins as a marriage of convenience quickly becomes anything but, as they find out love is the most dangerous mission of all.
**I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I'm actually very interested in reading the rest of this series, which, apparently, consists of four companion novels:
If you're interested in historical fiction, or even a little bit of suspense or action (these people know how to kick butt), then I definitely recommend this! :)
Vivian and James have both went through a very similar situation. The two of them have each lost a sibling in a very gruesome way, and her brother's killer's schemes is what actually brings them together.
James is the head of Clocktower, Britain's elite intelligence agency, his whole family consists of spies (something that has been going on for generations). After one mission goes wrong, his sister Louisa is tortured and murdered by the French, and James has never been able to forgive himself for that. Until Vivian appears.
Evan and Vivian lost their parents at a young age, so their uncle, a Viscount, takes them in. Once he dies, his son throws them out of his house and they have to start taking care of themselves. Not long after that, Evan is brutally murdered, and Vivian is set on finding the killer and get her revenge.
This is very different from every other historical fiction I've read.
It was really beautiful to see James and Vivian talking about their past with each other, there's this very strong bond between them because of their grief. And I really appreciated that the misunderstandings in this story never lasted too long, he just saw that she was telling him the truth about everything (and at the perfect time, thank goodness) and took her under his wing.
And, although he tries to make it seem like he proposed because he wants to protect her and keep the husband-seeking parents from the ton at bay, he obviously wants to marry her because he's got a big fat crush on her. Don't lie to yourself, James.
Another thing I really loved was that there's gender equality. I, like any sane woman who likes to be respected by men and be seen as an equal (whaaat?), can't stand sexism in books, the only exception being historical fiction, because, let's be honest, we can't change the past, even if I wanted these people to have smartphones or something like that, it's not possible. So yeah, sexism is usually present there, but that's just part of history :/ *sigh*
James is the head of Clocktower, Britain's elite intelligence agency, his whole family consists of spies (something that has been going on for generations). After one mission goes wrong, his sister Louisa is tortured and murdered by the French, and James has never been able to forgive himself for that. Until Vivian appears.
Evan and Vivian lost their parents at a young age, so their uncle, a Viscount, takes them in. Once he dies, his son throws them out of his house and they have to start taking care of themselves. Not long after that, Evan is brutally murdered, and Vivian is set on finding the killer and get her revenge.
This is very different from every other historical fiction I've read.
It was really beautiful to see James and Vivian talking about their past with each other, there's this very strong bond between them because of their grief. And I really appreciated that the misunderstandings in this story never lasted too long, he just saw that she was telling him the truth about everything (and at the perfect time, thank goodness) and took her under his wing.
And, although he tries to make it seem like he proposed because he wants to protect her and keep the husband-seeking parents from the ton at bay, he obviously wants to marry her because he's got a big fat crush on her. Don't lie to yourself, James.
Another thing I really loved was that there's gender equality. I, like any sane woman who likes to be respected by men and be seen as an equal (whaaat?), can't stand sexism in books, the only exception being historical fiction, because, let's be honest, we can't change the past, even if I wanted these people to have smartphones or something like that, it's not possible. So yeah, sexism is usually present there, but that's just part of history :/ *sigh*
I'm actually very interested in reading the rest of this series, which, apparently, consists of four companion novels:
In the first in an adventurous new series, USA Today Bestselling Author Erica Monroe introduces the Covert Heiresses: four women who by day are the talk of the ton, and by night England's top spies.
If you're interested in historical fiction, or even a little bit of suspense or action (these people know how to kick butt), then I definitely recommend this! :)
Thank you for reading! Bye-Bye! ♥
This sounds like such a great read! I don't read too much adult romance, but I do like reading historical romance every so often. I'm so happy that the misunderstandings don't last too long, as it seems like they play a big role in causing problems in so many romance novels. Awesome review! I'll definitely be adding this to my TBR :)
ReplyDeleteIt's really great! :) I started getting into historical romance not too long ago, and it's so good! Haha seriously, misunderstandings just make me so frustrated!
DeleteI'm glad you liked it, thank you so much for your comment! ^-^
This sounds really nice! I'm going to have to read it ♥
ReplyDeleteAmy xx
Little Moon Dragon
That's great! I'm glad you liked this :)
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Thanks! :)
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Haha it's great! :)
DeleteGender equality? Now that is something that doesn't happen too often when you get a historical fiction book but I am glad it worked out well here! I am looking forward to trying this and it seems like these two characters share in pain, anger and grief. Sometimes you need someone there with you through that. Great review!
ReplyDeleteYes! I think it was because they were all spies and kicking butt together <3 I'm so glad you liked it! ^-^ I really enjoyed reading this.
DeleteIt’s so beautiful and so interesting! I love this post!
ReplyDeleteAnd already can’t wait to see the new one!
FASHIONLOVIN’
P.S. can we follow each other? I already followed you in google followers!
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it :) And thank you so much for the support! ^-^
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