Just because the marriage is fake doesn’t mean the attraction is… a centuries-old book worth an astronomical fortune disappears from Philadelphia’s Franklin Museum, Delilah is paired up with Henry Finch, a brilliant rare book librarian and celebrated academic.
Their orders: Go undercover as a married couple and recover the book by whatever means necessary.
Henry can speak four languages and wear a suit like he was born in Armani. But he’s never squared off against criminals. Never operated in this underground society of glamour and greed. And he’s certainly never pretended to be married to a woman who both dazzles and distrusts him.
Delilah’s keen instincts are her greatest gift, but her growing attraction to the sexy librarian is messing with her head. Every feigned caress, every for-the-audience kiss only heightens the seduction, building a fire that refuses to extinguish. As the danger intensifies, so does the temptation to let their fake desire become real. With a priceless artifact at stake, can this undercover couple learn to trust each other…before it’s too late?
Author’s Note: If fake marriage, closet sex, secret passages, guns and garter belts, high-society galas, mysterious code words, and danger pushes your pleasure buttons Behind the Veil is for you!more
Romantic suspense done right!
This is Kathryn Nolan’s first Romantic Suspense novel. This book features Delilah who is a recent police detective while Henry is a rare book librarian. Together, they go undercover as a husband and wife investigating high society as the world’s literary treasures are at risk. Soon, things heat up, and their fake marriage feels very real!
This is an emotional journey into a world unlike any I’ve previously read (although I’m not usually a romantic suspense reader). It was so different, I’m not sure exactly how much I enjoyed it! A must read again!
I received an ARC copy of this book and am voluntarily reviewing it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.
COMBUSTIBLE COUPLE ALERT!!!! Hands down – Kathryn Nolan’s BEST story and BEST writing. With Henry and Delilah the main focus of this wonderful adventure, Behind The Veil is the perfect blend of adventurous, passionate, intelligent and sexy. Wonderfully told, this escapade endures excitement through and through.
Sharing the similar heartbreaks and professional betrayal, the coming together of these two is equivalent to the awe of a fireworks show – lots of flare and wonder leading to ultimate exhilaration. The plot of this story is so inventive and like none I’ve encountered in all of my reading. It’s so unique and such a joy to have read. The secondary characters are implemented perfectly to where you find them intriguing and want to know more about them. And as with so many exceptional reads, I never wanted it to end. So I grasp on to hope that Kathryn Nolan will gift us with some sort of continuation. Leaving me the happiest of campers, I’ll exclaim that I am elated to find out how next one unravels.
This story left me with smiles for miles. And I think this story is a lovely progression from what I know of Nolan’s writing. This is part of the journey of being a fan of hers – getting to see the innovative bloom, being able to hold on to these amazing characters in your heart. Behind The Veil is another unequivocal treasure.
Kathryn Nolan’s first foray into romantic suspense is a winner.
Delilah…former cop, with baggage. Henry, former library…with baggage. I’m sensing a theme.
But what these two unpack together is lovely. I’ll admit that I’m particular about my suspense books…I find it harder to suspend my disbelief for some reason. Nothing here pulled me out of the story…it was all in.
And I have just the tiniest wish that we see Victoria again…
Bravo. Go forth and read.
Kathryn Nolan: Bringing Sexy Back to Secret Passageways, Ancient Texts, and High Society Soirées
Did you ever get the feeling that an author wrote a book specifically for you? That they somehow obtained a list of all of your favorite things and seamlessly wove them into a story that makes you want to dive headfirst into that world and just stay there? That’s how I feel about Behind the Veil.
Nolan immerses the reader in a world of intrigue, priceless tomes, invaluable art, and acute sexual tension that culminates in one of the most delicious slow burn love stories I’ve ever read.
Henry is one of my all-time favorite heroes. Smart, a little nerdy, intense, hot, and utterly driven. He’s also compassionate, caring, and wildly passionate. I loved watching his and Delilah’s story unfolding to it’s thoroughly satisfying conclusion.
This is Nolan’s best work to date, and I can’t wait to see what she does next!
Deliciously achy, Scintillating, Divine!
Behind the Veil is Kathryn Nolan’s first foray into the sub-genre of romantic suspense, of which I am a huge fan. This book more than satisfied my appetite for passion, intrigue, intellect, and a happily ever after. It is filled with the things that Ms. Nolan does best: connection, chemistry, poetic prose, compelling characters, and heat!
Henry is scholarly, observant, and charming. His attentive nature exudes sexiness. He fits easily into the world of rare book recovery that is Codex. Delilah is vigilant, determined, intuitive, and formidable. She is a huge proponent of justice. Her job at Codex suits her skill set. And even though she may not get to arrest the bad guy, she gets to return stolen books to their rightful place. As Henry and Delilah begin to work together, they let down their walls and learn to trust each other. Their relationship develops in a slow, sultry manner. It is captivating and divine!
The research that Ms. Nolan undertook to set up Behind the Veil is evident in the visual imagery that her words evoke. The details are lush and tangible. She leads the reader on a journey filled with history, art, subterfuge, and carnality. The fire between Henry and Delilah sizzles in true slow burn fashion. As a reader I felt every smoldering look. I ached and longed and drowned in desire, just as our hero and heroine did. Holy hotness! I definitely need more of this Codex crew.
This is a cool, unique romantic suspense! Henry is a librarian; trained and specializing in rare books. This story starts in Oxford, England with Henry working in a university library that has many rare, antique books. He uncovers something about his mentor & boss and confronts his boss. The results of this sends Henry relocating to his hometown of Philadelphia, PA to work for a small security firm, Codex, that specializes in recovering stolen rare books. Delilah is a former police officer from the Philadelphia PD and works for Codex. She is a badass and is attracted to Henry. Henry and Delilah are paired together on a case and pose as a married couple, and the sparks fly. As this page turning suspense story takes place Henry and Delilah smolder! I can’t recommend this novel enough! There is suspense, smolder and combustion! A very strong 5 star read!
Wow this was a new to me author and one I can’t wait to read more from.
This book had everything I loved about reading in it and more. Don’t want to say too much about it as this needs to be experienced first hand but I will say, prepare to lose sleep, plus grab some tissues and some wine as once you start you won’t stop.
This was something completely different from this author, but I trust her to tell me wonderful stories. She didn’t let me down. Henry and Delilah were an interesting, complex opposites couple. The intrigue of the story has unable to put it down. I stay up way too late reading, but it was so worth it. I love spy thrillers. This was a nice combination of romantic suspense. I can’t wait till the next one.
I love romance, absolutely love it! But I want my romance to be dynamic and well-written. Nothing makes me close a book faster than grammatical errors or unrefined writing. The romance — though it’s what I read the book for — is not the priority. To paraphrase Henry Finch, the book is the priority.
I read Kathryn Nolan because it’s clear from start to finish that the book, the story, is always her priority. It’s as though a love story breaks out in the middle of a carefully crafted tale. When I read any of her books, but especially so with Behind the Veil, I feel that spark that my favorite poetry ignites. It’s a rare gift she so unselfishly shares with the world.
Henry and Delilah are everything I love in romance. Their chemistry was believable, their attraction was obvious and their smart, well developed characters stood on their own. What I mean is that they BOTH had me fangirling them hard. I wasn’t Team Delilah or Team Henry – I was team Both!
This one is a different genre for me – I don’t read a lot of romantic suspense – but if they’re this good then I’ll definitely be branching out.
The chemistry and sex scenes in this one were DELICIOUS – Hubs yet again owes Kathryn chocolates for this book. I loved the way she approached their attraction and the exploration that occurred between them as their relationship developed. Add in plenty of action, amazing supporting characters and a fast paced plot and I was 100% hooked. Stories like this confirm why she’s a one click author for me.
Nolan has gone way out of her comfort zone and wrote an ode to the Nancy Drew in all of us. Of course this is a more mature version, with two lead characters written with depth and charisma. And the story appealed to the book nerd in me.
Henry is another one of Nolan’s book loving male leads, but with style and personality that separates him from Cal (see Bohemian). Cal was forced into his role with Books and grew as a person, while Henry embraced them since he was a child. Henry is educated in the world of books, with different languages easily pouring from him,while Cal is a repressed lawyer who finds his purpose among a used bookstore.
I loved how Delilah was adopted and thrived with a family that included two Dads. Nolan smartly shows how Delilah became who she is as an adult, without making the two Dads “a thing.” These men helped shape Delilah, and it’s delightful to see a happy family relationship without making the two Dads a plot device.
The mystery surrounding the stolen book is riveting. The couple pretend to be married while navigating bodyguards, a strange heiress, libraries, hiding in a closet and secret tunnels. Again, this takes me back to my childhood of devouring Nancy Drew. The reactions of the couple as they come across priceless books is engaging. You feel their excitement leap from the page. You feel the anxiety as the couple evades the bad guys. It’s a mystery with serious consequences, but pure fun to read.
It wouldn’t be a Nolan book without some serious heat between characters. Delilah and Henry have serious chemistry. It was great reading their attraction while they work out how to act in public. Can I put my hands here? My arm around your waist? And when they detonate you will wish you had that kind of person in your life. Because it’s smoking hot .
Even the side characters are likable and you will want more. I loved giving in to the book nerd in me and fall for this engaging mystery.
Behind The Veil is an excellent fast-paced, suspense filled romance.
As much as I read, I admit I never thought about rare books and the lengths someone would go to obtain a living piece of history.
Delilah, even as sexy as she is, gives off the air of a disgruntled, disappointed member of law enforcement. And when Abe partners her with Henry Finch, a newbie at Codex, her world-weary air is off the charts. Delilah seems to have very little faith in the former rare books librarian.
Henry Finch, a painfully overworked rare books librarian at the McMasters Library in Oxford, England believes he’s caught his mentor stealing rare books. Like most painfully innocent people, Henry fully believes that if he simply confronts Bernard, the man will surely realize how far he’s fallen and turn over the stolen artifacts.
What ensues is a treasure hunt, where Henry and Delilah are forced into field work together while Delilah remains uncertain as to whether Henry can even be adequately trained to respond correctly, until he saves her from what could have been a very bad situation.
This book was a caper complete with code words, grand enemies, little old ladies that appear completely incapable of being the bad guy, and security guards that give us that bumbling moment of humor needed in every book. The slow burn romance between Henry and Delilah had me burning up by the time they finally got down to it!!
A perfect, sexy, suspenseful romp through Philly giving the reader the ability to feel their heart race, and experience the drop once the adrenaline leaves. Kathryn Nolan makes me want to study rare books in my free time, but only if I get a sexy librarian of my own!
Behind the Veil is an incredible fake marriage, slow burn, sexy romance filled with mystery, drama and intrigue that will draw you in from the first page. I just loved the sexy librarian Henry and the sassy and fierce detective Delilah……and when they came together as the Thornhills, ooh, yes!! The chemistry just sizzled between them. I couldn’t get enough of them and I loved every minute of the story. It truly was wonderful……and the little tidbit at the very end made me one happy reader!!! I need more of these wonderful and incredible characters…..and I’m so anxious to see what Ms. Nolan has in store next!!!
I’m not usually a fan of romantic suspense. I’m not usually a fan of sitting on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, nervous for what might happen. But the suspense in this book kept me wanting more. I was glued to my kindle, hoping that Henry and Delilah would solve their case, catch the bad guy, and find the book. There are so many twists and turns that I never knew what to expect. The character development and Codex world that was built in Behind the Veil has me impatient for the next book in this series. 2020 can’t come soon enough.
Behind the Veil is an exciting romance with the element of suspense. The characters are freaking awesome and really what made me enjoy this book so much. Not only the kickass heroine Delilah, a former cop now detective, and the sexy as sin hero Henry, a librarian who joins the same detective agency as Delilah. Their colleagues Abe and Freya make this quartet a fierce team to be reckoned with.
Delilah and Henry has some serious chemistry going on. Sizzling beneath the surface whenever they are around each other. Which is a lot since they are now colleagues and working undercover as a married couple. Oh my lord did I enjoy them being on stake outs or at galas cause they had no problems being in character. Yummy as fuck. At first they have to build their trust as colleagues and it was exciting watching them do that. As they got to know each other more on a deeper level the more they started falling. Let me tell you all that when they finally couldn’t hold back. Wowza. That closet scene. That’s all I’m saying. Hot and delicious.
Kathryn Nolan has created a clever and sexy romance. I had such a wonderful time being in the company of these four amazing characters. That’s all thanks to her writing. She combines the genres suspense and romantic comedy flawlessly. That results in never a dull moment from start to finish.
While I was reading I hoped the fabulous Freya would get a book cause the author excels in writing kickass females and to my excitement she will. I couldn’t ask for more. Well that’s incorrect. I want her book now. #GetTheDamnBookBack
4 Undercover Stars
I wanted to love this book. I’ve loved everything Kathryn Nolan has written to this point. This book was not very good. The pacing was odd, which I might have expected since it’s her first time writing romantic suspense. If that were the only issue then this would’ve been a 5 star book but (SPOILERS FOLLOW)
1. Delilah was unlikeable. At least twice, if not four times, she said something to the effect of ‘I don’t need rescuing’. It made her annoying. Sorry lady, you need rescuing from your crappy attitude. You’re not strong just because you scream it over and over. BE strong and you need never say the words.
2. Henry was a wimp. He just rolled right into Delilah’s ‘I am woman, hear me screech like a harpy’ bit and laid right at her feet. Boring. He was, at most, a foil for her yapping self-issues and not a fully realized character. He didn’t have to be all alpha male to hold my interest but he had to be more than a mirror for Delilah.
3. They were both duped by someone they trusted. Henry’s story was more interesting than Delilah’s here just because the villain was more interesting. Delilah was her own villain. She wanted to be a cop, she loved the job and yet she broke the rules. Was she lured by a douchebag superior, absolutely and he’s to blame for macking on officers under him on the totem pole. But she could’ve followed the precious rules she loves so much and said no. But she didn’t and then she whined about it. Sorry, you made your bed. If you can’t do the time, don’t do the crime.
4. The side characters were more interesting than the hero and heroine. I don’t recall the names but the detective agency bossman and the woman who was Delilah’s partner before Henry’s showed up caught my attention in a way that D&H never did. Those side characters felt more real, more fleshed out.
I didn’t want to write this review but I am an ARC reader and I will be honest about my experience even though I’d rather be kind because Kathryn is a very good writer and an absolutely adorable person. I wanted to enjoy this one. It was too flawed for me to do so.
****2.5/5 stars
Henry – total book nerd, all around good guy, and a bit of a dirty side…
Delilah – complete badass, instincts that could kill, and a haunting past…
Combine the two forces above as they go deep undercover as newlyweds – what could possibly go wrong?
Nolan does it again! Behind the Veil is her debut suspense/mystery novel and she gave it her all! There was never a dull moment in the action, the thrill of the chase, or in her slow-burn sexual tension. She proves, yet again, why she is the queen of the slow-burn; you could cut the tension with a knife! I am not going to give anything away but there were so many twists and turns in this book that I could NOT put it down. Henry and Delilah are a force to be reckoned with and the black market community does not stand a chance against them.
Do yourself a favor and snag your copy today (legally of course)! You will not regret it. Fall in love with this dynamic duo as you travel through art, history, and live the high life in over-the-top, luxurious parties thrown by some of Philadelphia’s high rollers. Five Stars all the way for Nolan and Behind the Veil!
I call this book: SMART
Sexy
Mysterious
Awe-inspiring
Riveting
Thought- provoking
Kathryn’s writing so elegant and powerful with how this story develops. Henry and Delilah are amazing characters with depth. I loved seeing their thought processes throughout the book.
Henry and Delilah are matched together to help in a book theft! Henry is a librarian of old books! He was burned by his last boss who was his mentor. Delilah was a police officer now working for Codex as a PI as she had issues in her previous job as well.
I can visually see this book play out as Kathryn Nolan writes about the depth and details of the art and historical book world! The chemistry and connection of these 2 characters and the supporting characters are so well developed! It’s slow burn and intense with suspense yet breath taking!
The book flows so well, is not rushed, has so many great details- I’ve re-read a some parts a few times. I love the connection and honesty of Henry and Delilah as they evolve from playing husband and wife to becoming a real couple in the middle of solving a case. Read this book now- it is fabulous!
If you’re looking for a book with intrigue, suspense, and mystery combined with slow burn sexiness than look no further because all of that is encapsulated in to this book.
This author continues to amaze us with with her writing. She continues to expand on her writing style in the area of romance and can’t be boxed into one type of trope. This has been proven by her time and again. This time Kathryn Nolan has upped her game with suspense and romance. The funny thing is she did it with a subject I never thought about before and made it interesting, clever and kept me on the edge of my seat. Ms. Nolan has the ability too always make us think socially, and question our beliefs. Within her writing the author brings unusual questions to the table about ourselves and human nature and weaves them into a complex interesting story filled with passion, knowledge, beautiful details and leaves you wanting more. She not only tells a story, she paints a vivid picture before your eyes and educates you along the way with interesting facts and fine point details. You find that there is so much to be uncovered and even more to be digested. Long after you’re finished reading you’re still thinking about this book for days. I know I did.
Henry is a handsome, quiet librarian, who has a love of books and what they bring to mankind.
Delilah is a beautiful, butt kicking detective who believes in righting the wrongs in society.
Both start out with clear definitions of who they are but life has a way of proving time and again maybe our preconceived ideas about ourselves as well as others aren’t always what we think they are. Maybe, instead of two sides to every coin there’s another layer in between that we weren’t thinking about or even looking for.
I assure you you the secondary characters in this story are as interesting and layered as the main characters.
Don’t worry this book brings all the feels I assure you. You will be swept into the whirlwind, holding your breath while trying to exhale and that’s not just from the suspense. The adrenaline is up as well as the heat.
I read this book in one sitting and have the dark circles to prove it. I could not put it down. My mind wouldn’t turn off long after I finished. Kathryn made me think, enjoy, love and wonder. I now wonder what will come next from this amazing author. Kudos to the author on a book that deserves to be read.
Enter a world of intrigue and intelligence! This books takes you on a journey of discovery. Both Delilah and Henry are in search of their true vocations, Codex is out to find the book, historians are pursuing the precious past. With the many twists and turns in this story one aspect remains steady, the chemistry between our sexy librarian and warrior goddess burns bright. The writing and research for this book is phenomenal. Romantic suspense sometimes lacks either the heat or the hunt, this story has both in spades. The author’s ability to write any genre/trope is being revealed in spectacular fashion with each book she pens. Take this journey and enjoy!