What do you think?
Rate this book
Circle of Spies #1
A Spy Like Me
An alternate cover edition can be found here and here.
Games can be deadly.
Eighteen-year-old Savvy Bent expects fireworks on her first date with Malcolm - in Paris! Except over a picnic of sparkling cider and strawberry tarts, a sniper shoots at them.
That’s only the beginning. From the top of the Eiffel Tower to the depths of the catacombs, Savvy must sneak, deceive, and spy to save her family and friends and figure out whether Malcolm is one of the bad guys before she completely falls for him.
Games can be deadly.
Eighteen-year-old Savvy Bent expects fireworks on her first date with Malcolm - in Paris! Except over a picnic of sparkling cider and strawberry tarts, a sniper shoots at them.
That’s only the beginning. From the top of the Eiffel Tower to the depths of the catacombs, Savvy must sneak, deceive, and spy to save her family and friends and figure out whether Malcolm is one of the bad guys before she completely falls for him.
219 pages, ebook
First published April 3, 2012
262 people are currently reading
1820 people want to read
About the author
Laura Pauling
49 books284 followersLaura writes about spies, murder, and mystery. She’s the author of the exciting Circle of Spies Series, the Prom Impossible Series, and the Heist time travel mystery series. She’s a former elementary teacher and currently lives in New England. After spending time reading books to her kids and loving a good plot turn, she put her fingers to the keyboard. Don’t ask her about the unfinished quilts and scrapbooks. Stories are way more exciting.
She writes to entertain and experience a great story…and to be able to work in her jammies and slippers.
The Holly Hart Cozy Mystery Series releases starting in May 2015!
She writes to entertain and experience a great story…and to be able to work in her jammies and slippers.
The Holly Hart Cozy Mystery Series releases starting in May 2015!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
July 10, 2013
I adored the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter and was looking for something similar. This was repeatedly recommended by Amazon so I decided I would try it. It was terrible. Our heroine, Savvy seems to think she's a experienced spy due to her dad's tourist 'dress up and play spy' game. She jumps into the situation, thinking she can totally kick butt when she has no skill or intelligence. It's been a while since I managed to finish it, so I don't remember the specifics, but time has not improved my feelings about it.
Maybe under different circumstances, I'd really enjoy it. But I was looking for a smart, kick-butt heroine that would race across Paris in an awesome spy story and instead got a girl that only thinks she's a spy playing dress up and flirting with guys. Ugh.
Maybe under different circumstances, I'd really enjoy it. But I was looking for a smart, kick-butt heroine that would race across Paris in an awesome spy story and instead got a girl that only thinks she's a spy playing dress up and flirting with guys. Ugh.
April 4, 2015
actual rating:3.5 although the main character annoyed me i liked it it was enjoyable and quite entertaining
July 7, 2021
Since I am no longer working at the library, it has given me the chance to finally start to clear up my kindle. One of my favorite tropes for YA books is spy novels which started with my love of Harriet the Spy back when I was 8/9 years old. In Circle of Spies, we meet Savannah aka Savvy Bennett. She is living in Paris with her father who runs a fun Spy Adventure company called Spy Games which has people running around the city acting like spies. She is still learning how to get on with her dad as up to a few months back, she lived with her mum. That was until her Mum vanished without a word. Now she is settling in with her dad and even found a potential boyfriend but of course, we are about to learn things aren't easy for Savvy as her perfect picnic date ends in bullets flying, and when she spots her mum briefly in France and her new best friend has vanished and Savvy just knows she has been abducted. During all this Savvy must not only save the day but keep up appearances with her dad and prove to him she is trying to rebuild their relationship. Also, at the end of this book, Savvy gets a big surprise about her bloodline and family that she never saw coming. This surprise and twist are what opens the way to the rest of the series.
December 14, 2013
When i read the blurb it said something like the better version of the gallagher girls series! I was like what? since gallagher girls is one of my favourite series, i thought woah this book must be good for them to say something like that but as i started to read it it didnt start well it started off with her date with this guy in paris and then he pisses her off so as to get revenge she ties his hands and undresses him and thats when people start shooting at them and the boy wants to split up so they agree to meet up the next day but when she gets home her dad is some spy games entertaining show manager or something and she has all these cool gadgets but she doent like being a part of it which i think is really weird but anyways she doesnt tell her dad about any off these and when she goes to meet him the next day he doesnt show up so she goes on and on about how bad she feels for tying his hands and so on and she then pretends to be a spy and tries to save him!! WTF?! Worst plot ever! And it just gets worse and worse! This book is such a let down! Dont read it!!
December 8, 2012
This book had a lot of promise. It was fun, fast paced, and Savvy is an engaging character. However, the romance in it...got a bit much, and that is putting it lightly. (All the characters did was kiss, A LOT, but it was a deep kind of kissing and hinted at them doing more had they the chance.) If it wasn't for that, I would have liked this book a lot.
I wouldn't recommend this one to anyone really...ESPECIALLY not the teen girls it was intended for. I don't think teen girls need that on top of their typical emotions.
I wouldn't recommend this one to anyone really...ESPECIALLY not the teen girls it was intended for. I don't think teen girls need that on top of their typical emotions.
November 15, 2015
The plot line was convoluted, the action shifted without being fully described (how did the character get over there?) Who is doing what? Started to give the author the benefit of the doubt and pick up the sequel but it was such poor writing that I put it right back down after a few pages. I frankly just didn't care to see how Savvy was going to be a stupid female protagonist yet again.
November 7, 2013
This was such a hard book to read. I dragged myself through it. It started out slow and barely picked up. Good idea, but it could have been developed better.
Want to read
March 15, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/15/2019)! 🎁
June 17, 2015
I was somewhat excited to read this book especially with references to the Gallagher Girls series in some reviews and descriptions. The reason I say somewhat excited is due to the fact that any spy book truly can't compare to that series. It's a task that many authors have attempted and have not met my expectations. With that being said A Spy Like Me made me conflicted in numerous ways.
Reason #1 Savvy
I liked her. I didn't like her. I just wanted her to be so much more than she was. For someone who has a father that has spy business even if it is for fun you would think her skills would be more than what they are. One thing that bothered me many times were her impatient ways and that almost always lead to her getting in trouble. The difference between Savvy and other spies is lack of training and that was really all this book was about. There were some moments when I was proud of Savvy. One for example was her constant determined attitude. She never gave up which is great to see because some characters hit a time when they doubt themselves.
Reason #2 Malcolm
The ever so confusing Malcolm. His actions are highly questionable throughout the entire book. I still thought he was a nice addition, but I'll wonder if he ever liked Savvy. I want more of a back story on Malcolm. Not much was revealed about him.
Reason #3 Savvy's Mom
I'm not going to reveal much here because her mother important in the story although she left Savvy and her father. But her Mom aggravated me. You do not tell someone to not do something and think they will not attempt to do it. She's a teenager come on now.
Reason #4 Savvy's Dad
He needs to be honest with himself and others. He clearly loves his daughter.
I want to say I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd book in the series, but I am hesitant if it will be like this. I think there is so much room for this story to expand and become something that impacts readers, but I feel a little let down. Nothing was really that big of surprise or had wow factor. With the right guidance I feel that Savvy can do big things but if her progression isn't there this series could get boring easily.
Reason #1 Savvy
I liked her. I didn't like her. I just wanted her to be so much more than she was. For someone who has a father that has spy business even if it is for fun you would think her skills would be more than what they are. One thing that bothered me many times were her impatient ways and that almost always lead to her getting in trouble. The difference between Savvy and other spies is lack of training and that was really all this book was about. There were some moments when I was proud of Savvy. One for example was her constant determined attitude. She never gave up which is great to see because some characters hit a time when they doubt themselves.
Reason #2 Malcolm
The ever so confusing Malcolm. His actions are highly questionable throughout the entire book. I still thought he was a nice addition, but I'll wonder if he ever liked Savvy. I want more of a back story on Malcolm. Not much was revealed about him.
Reason #3 Savvy's Mom
I'm not going to reveal much here because her mother important in the story although she left Savvy and her father. But her Mom aggravated me. You do not tell someone to not do something and think they will not attempt to do it. She's a teenager come on now.
Reason #4 Savvy's Dad
He needs to be honest with himself and others. He clearly loves his daughter.
I want to say I'm looking forward to reading the 2nd book in the series, but I am hesitant if it will be like this. I think there is so much room for this story to expand and become something that impacts readers, but I feel a little let down. Nothing was really that big of surprise or had wow factor. With the right guidance I feel that Savvy can do big things but if her progression isn't there this series could get boring easily.
August 2, 2016
I did not realise a book could so lack spirit and charm that I would find the reading a chore. It is a concept that I seldom struggle with yet this book lacked everything that I look for in a book.
It had romance, yes but the Spy Games idea was cliché and the romance (what very little there was) was laboured and stuffy.
The opening chapter was a shambles, which, even having read the book through, I still fail to comprehend.
Paris is a captivating setting, one which authors have been featuring in their works for time immemorial. It is a place of culture, intrigue, romance- all of which were totally absent in this novel.
I found myself comparing it to the adventures of Enid Blyton... only American and much, much worse.
The plot, finding a villain in a fat, french pastry chef is comparable to the delusions of a child and the characters are poorly developed, at best. Spies are a concept that many an author has ventured into before. Ally Carter did it, well with Gallagher Girls. Yet, this lacked the inspiration and excitement that are fundamental for such a genre.
Unfortunately, the setting, characterisation and plot failed to provide for me the basis for a book that deserves to be read.
It is amateurish, in every sense of the word and I find myself retreating to the dark shadows of my book shelves, trying to find a good book with diction, not colloquial trash that, quite frankly, anyone with any minor knowledge of the english language, could write.
Book should beg to be read. You should rip each page over with excitement in your heart, in anticipation. This was, I feel tired. In every sense. I find myself desperate to find the only cure for a book of such lacking: the Winner's Trilogy.
It had romance, yes but the Spy Games idea was cliché and the romance (what very little there was) was laboured and stuffy.
The opening chapter was a shambles, which, even having read the book through, I still fail to comprehend.
Paris is a captivating setting, one which authors have been featuring in their works for time immemorial. It is a place of culture, intrigue, romance- all of which were totally absent in this novel.
I found myself comparing it to the adventures of Enid Blyton... only American and much, much worse.
The plot, finding a villain in a fat, french pastry chef is comparable to the delusions of a child and the characters are poorly developed, at best. Spies are a concept that many an author has ventured into before. Ally Carter did it, well with Gallagher Girls. Yet, this lacked the inspiration and excitement that are fundamental for such a genre.
Unfortunately, the setting, characterisation and plot failed to provide for me the basis for a book that deserves to be read.
It is amateurish, in every sense of the word and I find myself retreating to the dark shadows of my book shelves, trying to find a good book with diction, not colloquial trash that, quite frankly, anyone with any minor knowledge of the english language, could write.
Book should beg to be read. You should rip each page over with excitement in your heart, in anticipation. This was, I feel tired. In every sense. I find myself desperate to find the only cure for a book of such lacking: the Winner's Trilogy.
September 5, 2016
Extremely juvenile. A frustrating read.
The main character is eighteen but she reads as a twelve-fifteen year old. Some serious things happen and instead of confronting the problem head on she goes on as if it didn't happen. Her crush on a guy leads her to have pouting moments which someone who truly believes that their best friend is in danger would not have time for.
She never truly confronts him about the shooting at the Eiffel tower or the injury he sustained. He was bleeding when they separated but when they are finally back together neither one address this. And neither one investigates to see who was shooting at them! What?! That drove me crazy. And who doesn't call the cops when they think someone is possibly dead and instead goes to the cafe they work at the next day to see if they showed up for work? Really?!
This book did not ring true for me and I only read to the end just to finish it. Only to then (though my expectations were extremely low) be disappointed again because it doesn't actually end. How is there a cliffhanger on a 300+ page book? With some books you feel like you just have to find out how it ends, I don't feel that pull with this one and will not be reading the second book in the series or any other book from this author for that matter.
The main character is eighteen but she reads as a twelve-fifteen year old. Some serious things happen and instead of confronting the problem head on she goes on as if it didn't happen. Her crush on a guy leads her to have pouting moments which someone who truly believes that their best friend is in danger would not have time for.
She never truly confronts him about the shooting at the Eiffel tower or the injury he sustained. He was bleeding when they separated but when they are finally back together neither one address this. And neither one investigates to see who was shooting at them! What?! That drove me crazy. And who doesn't call the cops when they think someone is possibly dead and instead goes to the cafe they work at the next day to see if they showed up for work? Really?!
This book did not ring true for me and I only read to the end just to finish it. Only to then (though my expectations were extremely low) be disappointed again because it doesn't actually end. How is there a cliffhanger on a 300+ page book? With some books you feel like you just have to find out how it ends, I don't feel that pull with this one and will not be reading the second book in the series or any other book from this author for that matter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2012
I was given the privilege of reading a pre-released copy of this novel. I’ve grown somewhat wary of self-published books because so many I’ve read lately have lacked polish, but when I started reading I was thrilled to discover this one wouldn’t be another. The story is an exciting adventure set in Paris. I was pleasantly surprised by the author’s ability to transport me to Paris by bringing the city alive with wonderful sensory details that made me want to travel again. And that’s just the backdrop.
The story had me intrigued from the start and hooked by the end of the first chapter. I enjoyed the pace. It kept moving forward without making me feel breathless. I actually found it difficult to put the book down.
The main character, Savvy, was well-round with a great voice. I loved the way she viewed life in general and I liked the way she interacted with other characters. At times I wasn’t totally convinced about some of her motivations, however the story often had me smiling because of some well-placed sarcasm or amusing situations.
This is well worth the read!
The story had me intrigued from the start and hooked by the end of the first chapter. I enjoyed the pace. It kept moving forward without making me feel breathless. I actually found it difficult to put the book down.
The main character, Savvy, was well-round with a great voice. I loved the way she viewed life in general and I liked the way she interacted with other characters. At times I wasn’t totally convinced about some of her motivations, however the story often had me smiling because of some well-placed sarcasm or amusing situations.
This is well worth the read!
August 22, 2012
I really enjoyed this novel. It's fresh and fun all while taking you into hen houses, pastry shops, abandoned houses and even into the catacombs beneath Paris to rescue . . . someone. (No spoilers here!) I also loved that while heavy issues (parental abandonment, being used by boys and more) were present, they lingered in the subtext rather than overtaking the whole story.
I think people who are dealing with personal stuff and need to know they're not alone will enjoy this book--mostly because Savvy has a crapload of stuff on her shoulders and yet she keeps on pushing on. And she's not perfect either--she's stubborn and maybe a bit too independent than she needs to be. Maybe she's a bit selfish too. I mean, aren't we all? Really?
But her heart's in the right place. She'd do anything (and she practically does!) to help a friend, to save her mom, to heal her dad.
If you like fast-paced contemporary adventures with a little bit of whimsy thrown in for fun--you will LOVE this book.
I think people who are dealing with personal stuff and need to know they're not alone will enjoy this book--mostly because Savvy has a crapload of stuff on her shoulders and yet she keeps on pushing on. And she's not perfect either--she's stubborn and maybe a bit too independent than she needs to be. Maybe she's a bit selfish too. I mean, aren't we all? Really?
But her heart's in the right place. She'd do anything (and she practically does!) to help a friend, to save her mom, to heal her dad.
If you like fast-paced contemporary adventures with a little bit of whimsy thrown in for fun--you will LOVE this book.
October 7, 2014
I know most won't be able to read Laura's debut for a few weeks when it's released. I have been lucky enough to read an advanced copy--actually, as one of Laura's critique partners, I've seen this story evolve over the last year or so.
I know you'll think I'm biased, but bear with me. If you've ever read Laura's writing blog, you already know she's talented and wise. She throws herself into her writing the same way she throws herself into her blog.
A Spy Like Me is at times laugh-out-loud funny, grip-your-seat thrilling, and dab-your-eyes poignant. It's a love story, a story about loyalty for a friend, and one of family misunderstandings. If you love contemporary YA with a thilling twist, you'll love A Spy Like Me.
Get it as soon as you can!
I know you'll think I'm biased, but bear with me. If you've ever read Laura's writing blog, you already know she's talented and wise. She throws herself into her writing the same way she throws herself into her blog.
A Spy Like Me is at times laugh-out-loud funny, grip-your-seat thrilling, and dab-your-eyes poignant. It's a love story, a story about loyalty for a friend, and one of family misunderstandings. If you love contemporary YA with a thilling twist, you'll love A Spy Like Me.
Get it as soon as you can!
June 12, 2024
Apparently read this 8 years ago and gave it a 3 star rating. Read it again (accidently) because it was suggested for fans of the Gallagher series (which I loved years ago) and am revising this to 2 stars. No real spies IMO. Not comparable. The whole spy thing was fun for a bit until you realized she was just a naive teenager who didn’t question anything about what was going on around her and blindly going into situations. I hated her by the end. The whole visions thing with the prisoner was also random - nothing came about the fire. The ending didn’t resolve anything and left on a slight cliffhanger. So many questions. The whole handcuff and stripping thing just felt so random to the story.. and for two teenagers? Don’t think it’s worth reading any more in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2012
You can't help but root for Savvy, a reluctant spy, who's trying to unravel the mystery that surrounds her mother's disappearance, plus there's that cute boy, Malcolm, who is hiding something, too!
A Spy Like me is a nice take on the spy genre, fun and entertaining with twists and turns that keep the pages turning. If you're a fan of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girl series, then you'll like this.
A Spy Like me is a nice take on the spy genre, fun and entertaining with twists and turns that keep the pages turning. If you're a fan of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girl series, then you'll like this.
February 13, 2015
Not one of my favorite books. Ever since Ally Carter's spy series ended I've been trying to find another one to replace it. The heroine in this book is either really dumb or really lucky. She can't put two and two together ever, and even I can do that. Plus she's a TERRIBLE spy!
April 15, 2012
A Spy Like Me is a fun and fast read with a spunky heroine and a hot guy you aren't sure about until the end. It was a fast paced ride with lots of twists and turns and I had trouble putting it down!
March 31, 2013
This review and more at My Blog
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Series book: Yes
Will I read the next book: Um, maybe
Spy books are generally a hit or miss, but this one's hard to decide. On the hit side, I liked the plot and the pacing. On the miss side, the writing wasn't super smooth. I had to read certain things like five times before I got it. But there was something about it that made it hard to put down.
The writing was confusing. I feel like it jumped from subject to subject and to be honest Savvy's thoughts were all over the place. But the pacing made up for the confusion here and there. A spy book has to go fast, if not then it's not as action-y as it's supposed to be. This one was like snap and your done, but in a good way. I also looooooved the first chapter (hot guy in his underwear, any takers? Yeah I see your hand over there raise it high!) and how it related back to the last chapter. It was one of those books where everything was resolved, which was refreshing from like every other book out there right now. I wouldn't exactly call this YA though, it's more like children's fiction with a little bit of romance.
The plot was original. As original as a spy book can be anyway. And when I thought I understood where the plot was going, I was smacked in the face with this twist I feel like A Spy Like Me was kind of a shorter, more confusing version of the Gallagher Girl series (Which I had an obsession with a few years back) but in Paris. And Savvy really wasn't the best spy. If the plot had been consistent and that particular plot twist hadn't been used, the book would be more enjoyable and more original.
The characters were paper thin. By that I mean the didn't jump off the paper at me. Their personalities were almost non-existent and their role in the book jumped from place to place. My biggest pet peeve from this book: Not everyone can be a spy. Especially if their barely-there personalities don't warrant the spy-like actions. I couldn't even picture Malcolm, which sucked because he was supposed to be the hot-six-pack-having-guy.
The romance didn't completely take over the book, which I was okay with. But when it was in the story it was totally confusing. One minute Savvy's like glaring at him from a chair and the next they're getting all "hot and heavy" (Savvy's words not mine) on the table. Um, what? Pick a feeling Savvy! You can't like him one minute, hate him the next, then be totally in love with him the next. I mean I know he's hot and all but have some will power! I mean I know teenage hormones are all over the place, but not like that!
Favorite quotes:
"You are hereby sentenced to fifteen minutes of intense embarrassment by sitting in your underwear in public"
"Kind of like when God created the earth, I imagined. Dad evoked this kind of scary presence when he was in full Spy Games mode."
SUMMARY OF REVIEW(In case you don't actually feel like reading the review):
Plot: 3 out of 5
Characters: 3 out of 5
Romance: 3 out of 5
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
Rated PG Minor make out scenes, some guns, blood, not so gory violence.
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Series book: Yes
Will I read the next book: Um, maybe
Spy books are generally a hit or miss, but this one's hard to decide. On the hit side, I liked the plot and the pacing. On the miss side, the writing wasn't super smooth. I had to read certain things like five times before I got it. But there was something about it that made it hard to put down.
The writing was confusing. I feel like it jumped from subject to subject and to be honest Savvy's thoughts were all over the place. But the pacing made up for the confusion here and there. A spy book has to go fast, if not then it's not as action-y as it's supposed to be. This one was like snap and your done, but in a good way. I also looooooved the first chapter (hot guy in his underwear, any takers? Yeah I see your hand over there raise it high!) and how it related back to the last chapter. It was one of those books where everything was resolved, which was refreshing from like every other book out there right now. I wouldn't exactly call this YA though, it's more like children's fiction with a little bit of romance.
The plot was original. As original as a spy book can be anyway. And when I thought I understood where the plot was going, I was smacked in the face with this twist I feel like A Spy Like Me was kind of a shorter, more confusing version of the Gallagher Girl series (Which I had an obsession with a few years back) but in Paris. And Savvy really wasn't the best spy. If the plot had been consistent and that particular plot twist hadn't been used, the book would be more enjoyable and more original.
The characters were paper thin. By that I mean the didn't jump off the paper at me. Their personalities were almost non-existent and their role in the book jumped from place to place. My biggest pet peeve from this book: Not everyone can be a spy. Especially if their barely-there personalities don't warrant the spy-like actions. I couldn't even picture Malcolm, which sucked because he was supposed to be the hot-six-pack-having-guy.
The romance didn't completely take over the book, which I was okay with. But when it was in the story it was totally confusing. One minute Savvy's like glaring at him from a chair and the next they're getting all "hot and heavy" (Savvy's words not mine) on the table. Um, what? Pick a feeling Savvy! You can't like him one minute, hate him the next, then be totally in love with him the next. I mean I know he's hot and all but have some will power! I mean I know teenage hormones are all over the place, but not like that!
Favorite quotes:
"You are hereby sentenced to fifteen minutes of intense embarrassment by sitting in your underwear in public"
"Kind of like when God created the earth, I imagined. Dad evoked this kind of scary presence when he was in full Spy Games mode."
SUMMARY OF REVIEW(In case you don't actually feel like reading the review):
Plot: 3 out of 5
Characters: 3 out of 5
Romance: 3 out of 5
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
Rated PG Minor make out scenes, some guns, blood, not so gory violence.
July 30, 2017
Reminded me of an up-to-date version of a Nancy Drew mystery, but with more complexity, more tension, and - best of all - a great teen voice that kept me smiling through all the adventure, mystery, and French pastries. Expect lots of chase scenes all over Paris, leaping over minature poodles and trying not to knock over rose vases on cafe tables.
And it has absolutely THE FUNNIEST first chapter I've read... maybe ever. And the best part? The first chapter will hook you, but you won't FULLY appreciate it until the very end! A sweet little bit of savvy devilry on this author's part.
Savvy is such a neat character! She is full of spunk and insecurity - I loved her determination. And her sense of humor. Her love interest/possible worst enemy, Malcolm... okay, all I can say is I need some MORE of him. Here's an excerpt that's a great sample of their dynamics:
I also had to include this one sentence that really tugged on my heart. It's a bit spoilerish, but it sums up the heart of this story so well:
The plot has a satisfying arc, but in between its major points, sometimes it jumped around a little erratically. There were several places that left me scratching my head, wondering if I'd missed something. . I'm not sure if it was because the clues were just too subtle, or the action too abrupt, or if it was my own reading-too-fast habit.
The bottom line though was my occasional confusion wasn't enough to keep me from enjoying this book. Definitely recommend to anyone who likes teen mysteries with lots of action and heart.
And it has absolutely THE FUNNIEST first chapter I've read... maybe ever. And the best part? The first chapter will hook you, but you won't FULLY appreciate it until the very end! A sweet little bit of savvy devilry on this author's part.
Savvy is such a neat character! She is full of spunk and insecurity - I loved her determination. And her sense of humor. Her love interest/possible worst enemy, Malcolm... okay, all I can say is I need some MORE of him. Here's an excerpt that's a great sample of their dynamics:
I sniffed the air and sighed. Blueberry coffee. Yum. I stared longingly at the steam rising in the air hoping he’d get the hint, hoping I’d live long enough to drink coffee again. Then he went one step too far. He pulled a cream puff from the fridge. Kill me now. I couldn’t stand any more torture. He sat in the chair, crossed his legs, and sipped his coffee. I studied the chipped white paint on the walls. I’d been meaning to drop a few pounds anyway.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore, and my eyes wandered over to him. As he bit into the flaky pastry and licked frosting off his upper lip, his eyes raked over my body. My heart rate spiked. Jiminy crickets, he was spying on my family and could kill me at any time. How could he look at me like he wanted to kiss me? Or was that the look of I’m-about-to-murder-you-and-dump-your-body-in-a-river? I couldn’t tell. But I needed to use it to my advantage.
“You’re quite cute when you blush. What’s wrong?” he asked, with a sly grin.
“He talks. Amazing,” I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
I hated lies. And the number one reason to hate him was that he’d lied to me from the very start. Number two? He was eating a cream puff and I wasn’t.
I also had to include this one sentence that really tugged on my heart. It's a bit spoilerish, but it sums up the heart of this story so well:
The plot has a satisfying arc, but in between its major points, sometimes it jumped around a little erratically. There were several places that left me scratching my head, wondering if I'd missed something. . I'm not sure if it was because the clues were just too subtle, or the action too abrupt, or if it was my own reading-too-fast habit.
The bottom line though was my occasional confusion wasn't enough to keep me from enjoying this book. Definitely recommend to anyone who likes teen mysteries with lots of action and heart.
November 5, 2016
I really liked this book in the beginning, but it was almost too long to keep my attention. Add to the fact that the book was all over the place and just really confusing. You don't know what's real and what's not. You don't really have an idea of what's going on at all and if you do, the plot totally changes and you are lost again. This book wouldn't be so bad if you gave the reader just a little bit of information about where the book is leading you to. You think it's one thing, but it's another and another. It's just too all over the place for me to really enjoy it. It was a break from my usual fantasy novels, but I won't buy the next one in the series. It wasn't a great start that would make me want to read another unfortunately.
November 14, 2016
I was excited to crack open this book and start reading it, especially when I saw the majority of the reviews it got on Amazon were 3 or more stars.
Amazon reviewers let me down.
I'm honestly not sure if the author could have made Savvy more illogical, impulse, or absurd if she tried. She works as a pretend spy, but hates everything spy related, but is SURE that she's the best spy ever when it comes to trusting her instincts. I can only assume that Savvy has never ever ever heard the basic premise of every horror movie; Don't walk into the dark room/catacomb alone. Especially if you're afraid of being the next to go.
Amazon reviewers let me down.
I'm honestly not sure if the author could have made Savvy more illogical, impulse, or absurd if she tried. She works as a pretend spy, but hates everything spy related, but is SURE that she's the best spy ever when it comes to trusting her instincts. I can only assume that Savvy has never ever ever heard the basic premise of every horror movie; Don't walk into the dark room/catacomb alone. Especially if you're afraid of being the next to go.
October 30, 2016
I started out loving this book. I couldn't put it down! The more I got into the book, the more twisted the story became, the less interested I was. Great foundation, wonderful-fairly predictable-retelling of Romeo & Juliet (except these two are smart enough to remain living). I really, really had high expectations of this book, but the constant plot twists and continuation left me frustrated and bored. Because I LOVED the beginning of this book, I will keep my fingers crossed the second one is better.
November 7, 2016
It started off fun, and there were a couple of humorous bits, but this book basically made no sense.
Savvy's clueless Dad, Malcom, a quadruple agent of some kind, and finally, a prisoner with a 'vision' about saving her. Oh, and an ancient family feud as described by Malcolm. Betrayal and abandonment all around her, and she didn't even tell her Dad?
I'd already read 2/3 of this, or I'd have stopped sooner.
Savvy's clueless Dad, Malcom, a quadruple agent of some kind, and finally, a prisoner with a 'vision' about saving her. Oh, and an ancient family feud as described by Malcolm. Betrayal and abandonment all around her, and she didn't even tell her Dad?
I'd already read 2/3 of this, or I'd have stopped sooner.
April 7, 2012
I heard the advice to write the book that I'd love to read. So that's what I did. I combined my love of spies, mystery, adventure and learning about a new place - Paris! Hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing it!
May 19, 2013
I love this book! It did start a little slow but pick up and I didn't want to putt it down. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes teen spy books. It was fun to read trying to find out who in the book was a bad guy and how was good.
August 8, 2015
This book was REALLY good. Seriously could not put it down! It was just a tad boring in some parts, but overall awesome. If you like action and romance combined into an amazing book, read this! You rock, Laura Pauling!!
January 4, 2019
DNF.
The female MC is so immature and unintelligent that is hurt my brain. She acts like a thirteen year old girl and she thinks like one too.
The female MC is so immature and unintelligent that is hurt my brain. She acts like a thirteen year old girl and she thinks like one too.
October 24, 2018
I must be really dence
Thought it was very long winded to say little. Didn't really feel i knew much more about what the plot was when it abruptly ended. No one was who they really were and at least I was left really confused. Somewhere i missed that it was a serial. I read Foot Prints in the Frosting first and it ended like a book and held my interest to the end
Thought it was very long winded to say little. Didn't really feel i knew much more about what the plot was when it abruptly ended. No one was who they really were and at least I was left really confused. Somewhere i missed that it was a serial. I read Foot Prints in the Frosting first and it ended like a book and held my interest to the end
August 1, 2017
This book was mostly okay. It takes time to develop a lot, and I mean A LOT! of the plot but ends up being a decent book in the end. The character and style of the authors writing is definitely fresh and new in a good way but some things need a bit more detail.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews