Review: Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters

SYNOPSIS
They were each other's first love. Now they might be each other's last hope. Perfect for fans of Ally Carter, Spies, Lies, and Alibis is an unputdownable binge-fest, full of laughs, heart, and mischief.

Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she's perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss's criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez--a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans--she'll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.

Then he walks back into her life.

Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get . . . complicated.

The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster--and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide.

Forced to work dangerously close, neither knows the other's true agenda. Cybil sees the boy who once broke her heart, now a man whose motives are deeply suspect. Ben sees the woman he never got over but can't determine if she's an innocent caught in the crossfire or a willing accomplice. As they navigate a world of spies, lies, and fragile alibis, they must dismantle the walls around their hearts.

The intel is classified. The trust is fragile. And their covers are one lie away from blowing wide open.

Dive into a hilarious, fast-paced romantic suspense that balances danger with wit and charm. Early readers are loving the gripping twists, engaging humor, and clean, chemistry-filled romance that make Spies, Lies, and Alibis such a fun, page-turning ride. Grab your copy today for a story packed with intrigue, heart, and just the right amount of sass.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

Y’all! This was an absolute blast to read! I knew I was going to love it just from the opening line, and it only got better from there. I was laughing out loud in several spots and then holding my breath in suspense in others. I thought there was a really good balance of action, suspense, and comedy.

I really liked Ben and Cybil. There was quite a bit of history between them, and I was rooting for them so hard. They had amazing chemistry. The banter between them was hilarious! Also, I can’t forget to mention Ben’s grandma. She was a hoot! I’d love a spin-off series featuring her and all of her antics.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to whatever Natalie Walters writes next. I highly recommend it!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring Spies, Lies, and Alibis by Natalie Walters. This is a really fun action rom-com. I've laughed out loud so many times. 

SYNOPSIS

They were each other's first love. Now they might be each other's last hope. Perfect for fans of Ally Carter, Spies, Lies, and Alibis is an unputdownable binge-fest, full of laughs, heart, and mischief.

Cybil Langford has spent years hiding behind her polished, professional facade as the executive assistant to a powerful real estate mogul, where she's perfectly positioned to collect intel on her boss's criminal network. But when her mission leads her into the path of Lorenzo Ramirez--a ruthless crime boss with deadly plans--she'll need every ounce of cunning and charm to stay one step ahead.

Then he walks back into her life.

Ben Bradley is deep undercover for the FBI, living under an alias, as a financial advisor with a reputation for helping the wealthy and corrupt launder their money. His target? Lorenzo Ramirez, a dangerous crime boss with his hands in everything from smuggling to murder. But when a familiar face from his past suddenly reappears, things get . . . complicated.

The last time Cybil saw Ben, he was an annoying prankster--and her first crush. The last time Ben saw Cybil, she stole a piece of his heart. Neither expected to run into each other at a high-stakes fundraising gala where crime, corruption, and undercover agendas collide.

Forced to work dangerously close, neither knows the other's true agenda. Cybil sees the boy who once broke her heart, now a man whose motives are deeply suspect. Ben sees the woman he never got over but can't determine if she's an innocent caught in the crossfire or a willing accomplice. As they navigate a world of spies, lies, and fragile alibis, they must dismantle the walls around their hearts.

The intel is classified. The trust is fragile. And their covers are one lie away from blowing wide open.

Dive into a hilarious, fast-paced romantic suspense that balances danger with wit and charm. Early readers are loving the gripping twists, engaging humor, and clean, chemistry-filled romance that make Spies, Lies, and Alibis such a fun, page-turning ride. Grab your copy today for a story packed with intrigue, heart, and just the right amount of sass.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

The day I walked into school in my Sunday suit, my hair slicked back, and my orange juice in a martini shaker I took from my house, I felt like the coolest kid in school.

Friday 56

There's an art to schmoozing criminals. You don't want to look too eager, or they'll think you're an informant. Too aloof, and they'll think you're a cop. The trick is to be just corrupt enough to belong, but not so corrupt someone assumes you're a threat and end up in a ditch.

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Protector (Heroes of Renegade Book 3) by Jennifer Pierce

SYNOPSIS

★ Some fires can't be fought with water. Some battles require faith. ★

Firefighter Samantha Williams thought she knew who she could trust with her life.
For six years, she's fought fires alongside her crew in Renegade, Colorado, building the family she never had while hiding from a deadly past that forced her and her sister into witness protection. When a string of arsons threatens the community, the danger is only beginning…

Then walks in the one man who could save her... or break her heart.

Deputy US Marshal Liam Roberts has made it his mission to protect people whose lives are in danger. Newly named guardian to his niece, Liam battles the challenge of balancing his new role in Renegade with family responsibility. Professional duty quickly develops to more as both Sam and Liam navigate raising teens and the growing threat.

As their enemies close in, nowhere is safe.

When the final trap is set, and escape seems impossible, Sam will discover that sometimes the greatest rescue comes from the One she thought had abandoned her long ago.

When love means putting everything on the line, how far will they go?

As Sam and Liam race against time to unmask a killer hiding in plain sight, their partnership becomes something deeper, more dangerous than either expected. But when Sam's teenage sister Isabella and Liam's niece Sophia disappear, their growing feelings are put to the ultimate test. Someone is collecting the people they love most—and using them as bait for the final trap.

Caught between a killer who knows her every secret and a man whose love she never dared hope for, Sam must decide: keep running from her past or fight for the future her heart is beginning to crave.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed this heart-pounding romantic suspense. It’s my first book by Jennifer Pierce, but it definitely won’t be my last.

I really liked the characters. Sam is a firefighter and in witness protection with her sister, Bella. US Marshal Liam is new to town and taking care of his niece, Sophia, while his sister’s in jail. Sophia and Bella were fast friends, but getting into trouble together at school. I was very curious about what was going on with them. I loved seeing Liam’s strong faith in the face of adversity. It was really inspiring.

With an arsonist starting fires all over town and getting bolder and more dangerous at every turn, the suspense just kept ramping up. By the end, I was flying through the pages as fast as I could. I had my suspicions about who the arsonist was, but I was totally wrong. I was shocked by the reveal.

While this is book three in the Heroes of Renegade series, it can stand alone just fine. I highly recommend it to fans of romantic suspense with a strong thread of faith.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

4.5 STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Don't Cross the Blue Line (The Blue Ox Boys Book 2) by Susan May Warren and Sarah May Warren

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Don't Cross the Blue Line (The Blue Ox Boys Book 2) by Susan May Warren and Sarah May Warren releasing June 30.

SYNOPSIS

What happens when you discover your anonymous pen pal is the hockey player you've been secretly writing a book about—and you're trapped in a mall with thieves?

⭐ A Secret Identity Hockey Romance That Will Steal Your Heart ⭐

Everly Hart has mastered the art of hiding. As E.J. Hartley, she writes heart-pounding thrillers. As Sutton Blake, she pens sweet hockey romances about players who are valued for who they are, not just what they achieve. Both identities are secrets—especially from her father, Blue Ox Assistant Coach Hart.

Her current project? Blue Line Redemption—a romance about Beckett 'Blue Line' Brooks, the disgraced center she can't stop thinking about. He's her ultimate book boyfriend. Her muse. Her fantasy hero. And he has absolutely no idea.

But there's one reader who truly sees her work. For six months, Beckett has been writing thoughtful fan mail to Sutton Blake's publisher address. The scandal-plagued hockey star finds solace in her stories about heroes who matter for who they are, not what they do. If only someone could see him that way in real life.

When a charity gala elevator malfunction traps them in darkness, Everly and Beckett are devastatingly honest with each other—without exchanging names. He confesses about 'this romance author I'll never meet' who makes him feel seen. She realizes with growing panic: he's been writing to ME.

Weeks later, a blizzard locks them in an abandoned mall during a charity event. Awkward? Yes. Survivable? Maybe. Until thieves break in for a heist. Suddenly Everly's thriller-writer brain kicks into overdrive as they dodge criminals, hide in the old rink, and bicker their way through escape attempts. It's hilarious. It's terrifying. It's definitely not the meet-cute either of them planned.

As danger escalates and secrets spill, they must outsmart thieves, survive a Minnesota blizzard, and decide if they can trust each other—and their feelings.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: All That Glows by Lauren Smyth

SYNOPSIS

The apocalypse didn’t take everyone. It just took us.

Ever since the rain turned green, Kyrie’s world has been bathed in glowing dust. She packs it into old mascara tubes and sells it as makeup alongside dried cacti, threadbare blankets, and long-expired canned food. There’s not much else to do when everyone outside Kyrie’s small town in the Mojave Desert died from the plague-bearing rain ten years ago.

Everyone—except the man in the rubber mask.

He’s on the dangerous side of the fence, huffing infected air like it’s nothing, babbling to Kyrie about college and umbrellas and yogurt and everything else that disappeared the day it rained. He doesn't seem to know that the world ended, and he has no explanation for how he survived the apocalypse. But Kyrie doesn't believe in ghosts.

She can’t trust him, but he’s right about one thing: Towns without secrets aren’t surrounded by chain-link fences. And chain-link fences won’t keep out the plague forever.

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Enclave Publishing Store / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

"On the night the world ended, raindrops stained our roof tiles green."

All that Glows was a truly unique and captivating dystopia. I was invested in the story from the very beginning. The compelling first chapter gripped me and didn’t let go. I was so curious to learn more about the world, the characters, and the virus.

I enjoyed how the story unfolded piece by piece. There were clues about what had really happened, and when I finally figured it out, my mind was blown. The second half of this story flew by. There was nonstop action, and I had a hard time setting it down. I finished it in record time.

I was a big fan of Smyth’s previous book Warsafe, so I was really looking forward to this new release. It did not disappoint. In fact, I loved it even more! I can’t say enough good things about All that Glows. I know I’ll want to read it again and again. If you’re a fan of young adult dystopia or post-apocalyptic fiction, you’ll love this book! I really hope there’s a sequel.

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Review: On the Fence About You (The Chimney Creek Romances Book 1) by Emily Conrad

SYNOPSIS

If good fences make good neighbors, these former childhood sweethearts are doomed to stay enemies.

Combat veteran Hale Bastian and veterinarian Morgan Reynolds were best friends in childhood, but since a falling out twenty years ago, they’ve become strangers to each other. So much so that they don't realize Hale bought the house next door to Morgan upon his return to small-town Chimney Creek, Wisconsin. He recognizes his mistake—and her—as soon as his dog jumps her ridiculous little fence and absconds with her dinner. Morgan doesn't recognize him as anything but an inconvenience.

All but sworn enemies, they'd avoid each other if not for their devotion to the local animal shelter, where Morgan's animal-loving aunt used to take them as children. If they hope to raise enough funds to save the shelter, the animals in its care, and her aunt’s legacy, Morgan and Hale will need to work together, and that means confronting their painful past.

When their growing connection threatens the peace Hale’s fought so hard to find and Morgan’s carefully crafted plans, it seems they can’t have it all. But what if all they need is waiting just on the other side of the fence?

A warmhearted and faith-filled clean romance about surrendering your plans, finding peace, and, of course, loving your neighbor.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I absolutely adored this sweet, heartfelt, and faith-filled romance. Emily Conrad has a way of pulling you into a story and making you feel right at home. And that’s exactly how I felt while reading this story.

Morgan and Hale had a complicated history. They were former best friends who hadn’t spoken or seen each other in 20 years. There was a lot of time to make up and hurts to heal. I really liked both of them and was rooting them on. I really loved all the dogs too.

I loved the charming small town of Chimney Creek and the residents who lived there. I loved seeing the community come together and pitch in when help was needed.

I loved this book so much and can’t recommend it highly enough. If you’re a fan of contemporary romance with a strong thread of faith, don’t hesitate to grab a copy. You’ll love it!

I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings, First Line Friday, & Friday 56: On the Fence About You (The Chimney Creek Romances Book 1) by Emily Conrad

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday. Friday 56 asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. It was started by Freda at Freda's Voice, but Anne over at My Head is Full of Books has taken over for the time being.

This week I'm featuring On the Fence About You (The Chimney Creek Romances Book 1) by Emily Conrad. This was a really sweet story. I loved it! I'll have my review for it up on Monday. 

SYNOPSIS

If good fences make good neighbors, these former childhood sweethearts are doomed to stay enemies.

Combat veteran Hale Bastian and veterinarian Morgan Reynolds were best friends in childhood, but since a falling out twenty years ago, they’ve become strangers to each other. So much so that they don't realize Hale bought the house next door to Morgan upon his return to small-town Chimney Creek, Wisconsin. He recognizes his mistake—and her—as soon as his dog jumps her ridiculous little fence and absconds with her dinner. Morgan doesn't recognize him as anything but an inconvenience.

All but sworn enemies, they'd avoid each other if not for their devotion to the local animal shelter, where Morgan's animal-loving aunt used to take them as children. If they hope to raise enough funds to save the shelter, the animals in its care, and her aunt’s legacy, Morgan and Hale will need to work together, and that means confronting their painful past.

When their growing connection threatens the peace Hale’s fought so hard to find and Morgan’s carefully crafted plans, it seems they can’t have it all. But what if all they need is waiting just on the other side of the fence?

A warmhearted and faith-filled clean romance about surrendering your plans, finding peace, and, of course, loving your neighbor.

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

The barking reached a fever pitch that echoed through the lush peace of early summer in Chimney Creek, Wisconsin.

Friday 56

As usual, Morgan’s busy week kept her from social media, but on Friday night, as she relaxed into the weekend, she opened one of her apps.

What have you been reading lately?