SHE WANTS REVENGEWhen bluestocking Vivian Loren becomes the governess for the wealthy Spencer family, she’s hunting for clues about the murder of her brother, not romance. But Vivian didn’t count on one thing: James Spencer, the infuriatingly handsome Duke of Abermont.
HE NEEDS A WIFEAs head of Britain’s elite intelligence agency, James has no time to find and woo a wife. After … no time to find and woo a wife. After discovering Vivian’s quest for answers has made her a pawn in a treacherous plot of one of Napoleon’s most deadly spies, James realizes they can help each other. She’ll become his duchess, and he’ll keep her safe.
What begins as a marriage of convenience quickly becomes anything but as secrets surface. Love may be the most dangerous mission of all.
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Vivian Loren ends up as a governess for the Duke of Abermont’s little brother. She has received a letter from someone stating that James (Duke of Abermont) is a spy and funding the French revolution. In exchange for her spying on the Duke of Abermont the man claims he will give her information on the death of her brother. Ironically the James is a spy his whole family is and has been for generations. But he is not funding the French revolution; he is in fact fighting it. He bonds with the governess over the feelings of the loss of a sibling and the guilt that they both feel. He figures out that she is spying on him and confronts her to get her to tell him the truth. Then end up with an arrangement that works for the both of them in a couple of different ways. There are a few adventures and fights in the book.
I liked the book. The main characters seemed like good people. There was a lot of self-loathing and constantly throughout the book. It seemed like a little too much but I guess it conveyed how much they were feeling for life and the experiences they went through. Good quick read, although I do read fast so it might not be as quick for others. I could not wait to find out who the bad guys were and what happened to the good guys.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.
The Spy Game Re-imagined
When she entered the dukes home as a governess, Vivian Loren had only one objective, to get information. She had to know who had killed her brother, and why. When the stakes elevated, so did her need for the dukes help.
She’s his little brother’s governess, not a woman to whom he should feel attracted. Regardless, James Spencer, the Duke of Abermont is attracted to her. Now he just needed to decide what to do next.
I love a good romantic Regency spy novel, which is probably why I so enjoyed I Spy a Duke by Erica Monroe. It was a well blended balance of bits of humor, dangerous action, steamy chemistry and crisp dialogue, all within a well constructed plot. All of the characters were well developed, but I fell mostly in love with the duke, James Spencer. Granted, Vivian was his perfect match, still he ranks right up there with my all time favorite heroes. I was even pleasantly surprised by the smile-worthy ending. Usually the first book that connects with the following books in a series leaves the reader hanging. This one didn’t. Thank you.
Content alert: There is some British swearing and a few religious expletives. There is also some very passionate kissing, and marital intimacies.
Disclosure: I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
James is head of an aristocratic family steeped in intrigue. Vivian becomes governess to his young brother under false pretenses investigating her only brother’s death. Captivating story full of spies, torture, death, and in the end, redemption. Wonderful characters and a HEA ending. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
This was a new-to-me author, but after this gem of a book, I am completely sold! I loved how these two supposedly-different characters found common ground with each other. I also loved how the heroine was no shrinking violet, and I especially loved how the hero managed to be strong and supportive without stomping all over her wants and needs. The plot was fast-moving, too – from the moment I started it, I could not put this book down. You’ve got to give this one a read!
Loved reading I Spy a Duke. Dukes are a favorite subject for the historical romances I like to read. This one was great, being both strong & tender at the same time. His love interest also a great character for the same reason. Can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the series. Keep writing Erica, I’ll keep reading.
Very romantic
What a great tale of romance, spies, intrigue and revenge. Kept me interested from page one.
Vivian Loren has been the governess for the wealthy Spencer family for six months but during that time she’s been hunting for clues about the family so that she will be told who murdered her brother Evan. As head of Britain’s elite intelligence agency Clocktower, James can’t afford the scrutiny the Marriage Mart would bring to his family once the Season starts. After discovering Vivian’s quest for vengeance has made her a pawn in a treacherous plot of one of Napoleon’s most deadly spies, James realizes they can help each other. She’ll become his duchess, and he’ll keep her safe.
This was so very good, not as dark as some of the authors books but the story drew me in from the prologue & I was so loathe to put the book down, I’m glad I decided to read it when I’d nothing else planned so that I could read for hours engrossed in the story & characters. James, Vivian & the other Clocktower members are so well portrayed. I love a romance that has a mystery or intrigue to it & this book didn’t disappoint in any way. I wanted to find out who Sauveterre was of course but also the relationship between James & Vivian was riveting & how their attraction grew held me captivated. I hope more in the series follow soon.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Erica Monroe does it again with her unique blend of intrigue, danger and romance! Bringing two people together on different missions, yet in the end on the same. Vivian Loren is grieving from the loss of her brother and is determined to revenge his death. Obtaining information that she needs to ingrain herself in the Spencer family’s home to find out who killed her brother, she lands a job as a governess. James Spenser is who she is to spy on and as the days go by, she realizes he is not the brigand he is suppose to be. James, the Duke of Abermont is grieving the loss of his sister who died as the result as one of his missions. You see James is a spy and is working to find out information of his own. In the end the two begin working together and as Vivian comes into danger, James will do what he has to to protect her from harm. A definite page turner to find out what will happen and you become enthralled as the characters are masterfully developed. What a great story and cannot wait until more of this series comes out!! This book was gifted to me.
Employed as a governess to the Duke of Abermont’s younger brother, Vivian feels guilty for her duplicity in spying on the Spencer family. As desperate as she is to find her brother’s killer, she will do what it takes to gather the information she needs. However, as the situation escalates, Vivian knows that she needs help and it isn’t from the man pulling her strings. Her confession to the Duke results in a surprising marriage proposal, but Vivian isn’t the only one to benefit from an arranged marriage. Set in an era when Napoleon is amassing power, James Spencer and his family have committed their lives to protecting England. Pulling Vivian into their ranks by way of marriage is just one way in which James can protect her. The other is to prepare her for any eventuality. The plot is suspenseful and well written, keeping my attention throughout. The romance was downplayed to some extent as James and Vivian concentrate on the threat against her, although their feelings for one another do warm up towards the end of the book. This novel is a standalone and comes to a happy and intriguing conclusion. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
Excellent book. Fun to read. Love this author.