She’s about to go undercover with her arch-nemesis…
From the outside, the gorgeous Freya Evandale seems like a quirky bookworm with a taco addiction. Most people would never guess she’s a proud drop-out of the FBI’s training academy and a highly-skilled computer nerd. These days, she’s happy as a private detective at Codex, specializing in stolen rare books.
That is until an old nemesis with … old nemesis with an arrogant smirk and superhero shoulders ends up in her office.
Special Agent Sam Byrne is a tightly-wound workaholic with a secret…or ten. When a betrayal leaves him questioning his career with the Bureau, consulting for Codex seems like the perfect place to hide. But he certainly never expected to see Freya again. At the academy, their rivalry was legendary. And their sparring sessions resembled an actual battle, or worse… foreplay.
Now these enemies are forced to play nice as they go undercover to infiltrate a secret society. It’s a dangerous world of power, wealth, and shifting alliances. The higher the stakes, the harder it is to resist the true reason behind their rivalry. But surrendering to years of pent-up lust is a direct threat to their mission…and their safety.
Author’s Note: If smoldering enemies-to-lovers, volcanic repressed lust, secret tunnels, gun-toting bad guys, and delicious slow burns are your jam, Under the Rose is for you!
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Consult with a doctor if you have a heart condition!! Just kidding but this book has all the suspense and it took a bit for my heart rate to get back to normal!
Freya is the geeky computer Goddess that provides all the tech support for Codex detectives as they try to recover stolen books and artifacts. She is perfectly happy working her magic behind the scenes and being there to support her bestie Delilah in her undercover ops. More at home online or in a book, she’s happy to keep a low profile.
Sam is the handsome all American FBI agent on loan to Codex to consult on art theft cases. He’s taking time away from the Bureau to try to *fix* himself after an incident that ended up with his partner arrested and with Sam implicated. He lives and breathes being a Federal Agent and his only marriage has been to his job.
However these two have a HISTORY. From the minute Freya walks in the door of Codex with donuts and sees Sam sitting in her spot the sparks fly!!! Freya is LIVID that Sam is in her space and even more so after her boss orders them to work together on a new case to find stolen historic letters.
Sam has never found a woman who compares to Freya. She was one of the most promising trainees at the Bureau before she left and he had always wondered why she left. Now that he’s seen her again he cannot get her out of his mind.
To be honest? I actually thought Freya might stab Sam with her laptop in the beginning. Then they get in their first car chase and end up going undercover with each other. Going undercover as two reclusive book buyers they have to learn to work together and trust each other. Otherwise their cover will be blown putting their safety at risk and ruining their chances at recovering the letters.
Some crazy hot scenes especially in the backseat of the car, Secret Societies, lots of mystery and heart pounding suspense make this your next favorite read!
Second in the Codex series, it is still a stand alone. However if you read Behind The Veil, you will get to meet Henry, Delilah and Abe.
Under the Rose by Kathryn Nolan is a suspenseful, slow burn, contemporary, enemies to lovers, workplace romance told in first person, dual POV. It’s the second book in the Codex trilogy and can be read as a standalone. Although it’s not necessary to read Behind the Veil first, I’d definitely recommend doing so as it sets up the series by introducing readers to the Codex world and several characters that appear throughout the series.
The story follows Codex private investigator Freya Evandale and FBI Special Agent Sam Byrne as they partner to recover rare stolen love letters while working undercover in the elite world of priceless texts and antiquities. Freya and Sam have a long contentious history. They were rivals in college and also at Quantico before Freya left and joined Codex. Neither are happy to be working together, but they really have no choice in the matter. Can they leave the past behind and work as a team? Or will their heated exchanges compromise the entire operation? Read the book to find out.
I loved Freya and Sam’s story! As characters, they were both well-developed and likeable. Their banter was witty and fun, and their chemistry sizzled on the page. I enjoyed how their shared history was woven into the story, and how they were able to challenge and bring out the best in each other once they finally stopped fighting. This book was just as addictive as the previous one. It was mysterious, clever, steamy, and suspenseful. I highly recommend it! Really looking forward to Abe’s story in book three.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***
Fabulous Suspenseful Enemies to Lovers!
I loved this book! The sparks of competition between Freya and Sam were palpable on each page! The fact that these two were competitors in Princeton and again in Quantico, just emphasized their feeling of outrage when they are told to go undercover together by their old Quantico instructor. While Sam graduated from Quantico and became an FBI agent, Freya dropped out near the end and joined Codex, working as their online code nerd, deciphering codes where illicit purchases and sales of illegal art work will take place. Now she has to go out in the field! And with her nemesis! As the two work together to retrieve stolen rare love letters, they learn to work with each other and grow closer each day.
As with many of Kathryn Nolan’s books, this was so well written, you cheer for these two to realize what’s been in front of them for so long, while wondering how the investigation will be resolved. You have to read this book! It will help you escape whatever is happening around you as you are transformed to be part of the team!
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.
Sam is on loan from the FBI to Codex and is there to consult. Freya walks in and sees Sam and they both are in shock and not happy. They went to college and Quantico together and were always in competition. Abe the boss wants them to work together on the next case which neither are happy. Sam and Freya are working on the case and arguing until they finally start working together. Can they solve the case in time and not fall into love ? Great characters and storyline. Highly recommended. Love this book and the Codex world.
I absolutely fell in love with Freya in Behind the Veil and her story was so much more than I ever imagined!!
Codex is such a special team and I’m all in on every single one of them getting a HEA!! This book has everything: love, hope, angst, and suspense. I couldn’t get enough of Freya and Sam. They are the perfect escape to this crazy world we’re living in.
I can’t wait for the next visit with the Codex crew!!!
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
So before I begin, let me just say that I am still in a massive book hangover from this book. It was everything I love about an enemies to lovers romantic suspense. I needed more, I still need more. I can’t get over it. Sam and Freya planted themselves deep into my subconscious and refuse to let me go.
I won’t give anything away because this is a new release. But if you’ve read Kathryn Nolan before, then you KNOW that she SLAYS! And this book is no different. There was angst, suspense, mystery, romance, swoon-worthy moments that lit the book on fire, laughs, tears… and just EVERYTHING! I literally fell in love with this book.
Sam and Freya are a part of my life now. They are everything I never knew I needed in my life. By the time the book was said and done, I was crying because I didn’t want it to end. I wasn’t ready to let go of these two characters. They became a pivotal part of my day and here I was trying to flip a page that wouldn’t flip because I had reached 100% and there was nothing left to read.
The intensity and chemistry between Sam and Freya is one for the record books. You could feel it between them from the moment they saw each other. Add in their past competitiveness and everything they went through… all of that only heightened every single moment between them.
Five stars for this hot enemies to lovers will leave you breathless, wanting more when it’s all said and done, and unwilling to let you go when it is. You will be on your knees by the end, begging for just one more chapter… even though there isn’t one out there to read.
Under the Rose was everything I have come to expect from Kathryn Nolan and so much more! This world of antique books is fascinating and spooky. Freya and Sam are absolutely freaking perfect! There is so much in their pasts that collide with the present that they can’t help but ignite! Reading this book took me through so many emotions, I was wrung out in the very best way when I finished.
Kathryn Nolan’s books are gems!! Under the Rose gives readers everything…. mystery, romance, history, friendships all built into one!!
Sam and Freya are such well written characters. They have history together- as they meet again after years apart. They are put together as partners to work on a case and open themselves to so much more!!
I loved the story line, the intrigue and how Sam and Freya grew together to under each of their pasts and how it affects their future. And how they can do it together!!
Another incredible read!!!