The only thing more dangerous than Lady Charlotte Fayne’s present investigation is her past.
As the founder of a society of lady detectives, Lady Charlie Fayne has made it her life’s mission to help women in need. Her desire stems from her own dark past…which rises like a spectre during her latest case. Suddenly, everything she has worked for—her independence, her society, and her future—is threatened by secrets and heartbreak she cannot escape…and steamy passion she cannot resist.
Torn between her past and present, between a charming new suitor and a seductive second chance romance, Charlie must decide her own fate. Yet every move she makes also unravels a deadly mystery that could lead to her undoing. Choosing who to trust and who to love will prove to be Charlie’s most perilous mission yet.
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Grace's books feature hot historical romance, fun and feel-good happily ever afters, and exciting mystery and adventure. Her books are standalones which can also be enjoyed as part of her interconnected series set in the same universe.
Don't miss this thrilling new historical romance by USA Today Bestseller Grace Callaway! Set during the Opium Wars, this steamy and spellbinding Charlie’s Angels meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon romance will leave you breathless...
Their love is forbidden…and irresistible.
The daughter of a half-Chinese duke and a lady fossil hunter, Lady Glory Cavendish is a free-spirited campaigner for justice. She belongs to a secret society of lady detectives whose goal is to help women in need. During her latest case involving a dastardly dognapping, Glory crosses paths with the handsome and mysterious Wei Chen, a master of healing and martial arts. Fascinated by the noble shifu, Glory convinces him to take her on as a pupil; the more time she spends with him, however, the more she longs for lessons of a more intimate nature.
Master Wei Chen has led a life of discipline focused on a single goal: avenging his murdered kin. His journey takes him to London where, by day, he treats opium users in his East End clinic and, by night, he secretly hunts the villain who destroyed his family. Yet for the first time, temptation distracts Wei: his spirited and lovely new pupil stirs dangerous needs in him. Desires that are forbidden between a shifu and his student…and between a commoner and a duke’s daughter.
As Wei and Glory’s slow-burn romance ignites into fiery passion, they are drawn into a web of betrayal and deceit. Torn between honor and desire, revenge and love, the pair must decide if they will let the past determine their future…or if they will fight the shadows for their chance at happily ever after.
USA Today & International Bestselling Author Grace Callaway writes hot and heart-melting historical romance filled with mystery and adventure. Her debut novel was a Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® Finalist and a #1 National Regency Bestseller, and her subsequent novels have topped national and international bestselling lists. She is the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, the Maggie Award for Excellence in Historical Romance, the Golden Leaf, and the Passionate Plume Award for Historical Novel. She holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan and lives with her family in a valley close to the sea. When she’s not writing, she enjoys dancing, exploring the great outdoors with her rescue pup, and cheering on her favorite basketball team.
ate this one UP!! i loved the set up, their relationship dynamic was so angsty but also hot!! plus the spy / investigative plot was really fun and kept the story overall intriguing.
charlie was so daring and spunky and jack was layered and empathetic (also a super hot loyal simp 🤌🏼). even tho the description says she's choosing between two guys it's more about her trying to figure out if she can trust him again / if she should risk the danger.
narrator does a great job as well, not my fav for male voices but ok! the spicy scenes too 🔥🔥🔥
I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like Charlotte’s story, because I never really warmed up to her character in the previous books of the series, but I ended up really liking this second chance love story.
What I Liked
The author’s depiction of true love – Beneath secrets, lies, deception, abandonment and years of grief and heartache lived true, enduring love, amazing physical passion, and deep emotional connection.
Sebastian/Jack – I fell sooo hard for spymaster Jack. It was insta-lust for me at first, and then affection followed by love as I got to know the man beneath all the hotness. The layers of his character and the life circumstances that shaped him really tugged at my heartstrings. Extra swoony points for how bad Jack had it for Charlotte (and for all the deliciously dirty things he said. Jack definitely had his dirty talk game down 👑)
Longing escaped its cage, gripping his lungs, making it hard to breathe. God, he’d missed her. She was everything he’d ever wanted: then, now, and always. The force of her was beyond resisting – like gravity. Essential and inescapable.
They were made for each other - The emotional intimacy they shared was so beautifully written that it made me feel what they were feeling, and it’s one of the things I loved most about the book. This level of raw, (finally) honest intimacy intensified their off the charts physical relationship to something truly gorgeous and incredibly hot. Oh, this aspect of the book was so incredibly well-written it’s like the author peeked inside me and gave me me exactly what I wanted. Lots of it, too!
In that heart-pounding instant, their smoldering antagonism burst into a different kind of flame. The kind that was as dangerous and unpredictable as a runaway train. He was powerless to stop it- and, more to the point, he didn’t want to. Savage satisfaction surged through him because this was the way it had always been for them. Passion and feeling beyond reason. Even if it led to pain. Even if it destroyed you and ruined you for anyone else. Even if it made you suffer every minute you were apart, every heartbeat, every breath […].
What Didn’t Work For Me
The third-act breakup - Boom, Charlie’s done with him, just done. And I’m like, huh? Really? No doubt as to his alleged villainy, No ‘let’s hear his side of the story’ just done. The way Charlie behaved when given the catalyst to the third- act breakup just seemed out of character for the wiser, more mature Charlie.
A continuing theme through the story is Jack feeling unworthy of Charlotte’s love. At this point in the story I’m thinking, maybe she is unworthy of his love. Thankfully, she came to her senses rather quickly, but not before breaking his heart.
Ultimately, for all the intrigue of the well-plotted spy story, the beautiful, angsty, complicated relationship between Jack and Charlotte was the star of this story.
*Note: quotes are from an advance reader copy and may not be in the final copy of the book.
Many thanks to Grace Callaway for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
3.5 stars. I feel the storyline is a bit too hollywood and too manufactured. It reads like a hollywood spy movie. Still, a decent read (and don't forget steamy).
Vibes: Mr. and Mrs. Smith without the enemies part, twisty-turny marriage in trouble, ridiculously hot ~games~, and a balance of angst and fun
Lady Charlotte Fayne has put together the perfect team of operatives--her Angels--and has watched each one find love. Charlie, however, keeps her heart guarded--still stuck on the husband who betrayed her before dying twelve years ago. But just as a new, charming man begins to tempt her, Charlie's lost love comes back from the dead. And he's not at all the man she thought he was--he just might be better.
I love this series. Victorian Charlie's Angels with ridiculously hot sex is a perfect concept, and Charlie was always the kind of distant, rational mentor waiting in the wings as each of the Angels went on their adventures. Making her story a marriage in trouble take--with, like, a lot of twists--adds a sense of messy drama and humanity and yes, angst. But it remains a ton of fun, with the adventure, heat and sly humor I've come to expect from a Grace Callaway book. This one has my heart!
Quick Takes:
--One thing that stood out to me here was how different Charlie read, compared to a lot of Callaway heroines I've experienced before. She's older, more experienced, and has been through the wringer--and you can tell. I feel like a lot of writers would dial back the things that make Charlie, Charlie in order to put her at a girlish disadvantage, vulnerable to her hero. Not so here, thank God. She doesn't suddenly become an ingenue. Instead, she remains this smart, hypercompetent woman in her thirties... But with the added dimension of a weakness: this husband she thought she'd lost.
And that brings me to another reason why I loved Charlie. In so many ways, she is the smartest, most put together person in any room. But when it comes to Sebastian? Dude, she's spinning. Not in the sense that she makes a fool of herself. So often, she remains composed. In several scenes, she takes the lead with him, outplays him, throws him for a loop. But Sebastian knows a side of Charlie that nobody else does. He's occupied this hidden corner of her heart she's tucked away for over a decade, and she's done the same with him. This is a romance about two people who are absolutely on the same level--and are completely undone by each other.
--That said, I really, really adored Sebastian. He's playful, snarky, and extremely seductive... but underneath, there is a wealth of wounds and guilt. Which, I mean--catnip. He clearly loves Charlie, and he also so clearly believes he's not worthy of her (again, this is a hero type that is absolutely carved into my soul). There's an element of "I left to protect you", which is a bit more conventional; but really, his choices are much more rooted in this deep lack of self-worth, which he covers up with all the charm. My boy needs therapy.
But again, he's not a moper. He's remarkably effective--just as competent as Charlie. And he's rather hilariously possessive. Like, yes, he's been pretending to be dead for twelve years, but that doesn't mean a man is going to just SIT THERE while another guy KISSES! HIS! WIFE! If you're a "MY WIFE" reader, then you're going to love him. This dude was this close to braining a man he'd never met in his life with a rock because he was getting too close to Charlie. He's also exceptionally, obsessively devoted. (There was one choice Grace made regarding what Charlie and Sebastian had gotten up to during their time apart that I really appreciated, and it's a tough balance for romance readers.)
Honestly, it's kind of rare that I like both halves of a romance couple to the same degree. But Charlie and her man are just so passionately well-matched, and so passionate about each other, that you can't really resist them. They're MEANT to be together, and it's abundantly clear throughout the novel.
--Grace Callaway writes mystery plots in a way that I actually understand, which is kind of a feat, as I often focus so hard on the romance that my brain has little time for mystery. This was no different. I found the adventure fun and engaging, and there was so much to enjoy about like... Charlie infiltrating sex parties, and Charlie and Sebastian GETTING STUCK IN A CAVE TOGETHER. (Y'all know what happens in caves. A bit of a Ravished tribute, maybe? Though, uh... They didn't do all THAT shit in Ravished.)
And the thing is, Grace did an amazing job of balancing the sense of adventure and humor with the angst in this book. Because yes, there is a lot of angst, it's inherent to the plot. There's also a really interesting thread that I was kind of nervous about initially--but it's pulled off with thought and sensitivity here, and ultimately really appreciated it. However, the book never feels overwhelming or overly dark because there's so much fun and sparkle through the rest of it.
--In a lot of ways, this one is about falling in love with someone you thought you were in love with before... But were you, if you didn't really know them? At least on Charlie's side. And that's a big challenge in a book, but it's done so well. She has to really come to terms with what she knew about Sebastian before and what she knows now, and trust in the reality of his feelings for her.
Although--it's a lot easier to trust in those feelings when a guy is being as absolutely swoonworthy and adoring as this one. This is DEVOTED hero, and his desperation for her just wrenches itself off the page at every moment. You get the longing, you get the agony, you get the desire. I mean, it's a Grace Callaway book. You get the desire HARD. Speaking of...
The Sex:
Ugh, this book is hot. Super hot. Hot hot hot. It's one of those stories where they're arguing and snapping at each other one minute and making out the next, which is what I personally adore. And there's such an interplay of power dynamics? Charlie does a bit of light domming in one scene, but at the end of the day, girl is very dominant in her everyday life and very submissive in the bedroom. Fortunately, her hero is a man who deeply Gets That and... more than rises to the occasion.
You get it all here. There's some erotic eating (I really love a story in which cream is applied to male anatomy); there's really effective usage of a riding crop on our hero (please God authors write more books in which heroes get whipped and lashed and such); there's a GAME they both play in which they get rewards and punishments. And lest you feel too sorry about Charlie spending twelve years without him--she took care of herself. In fact, Sebastian gets to see exactly how she took care of herself. Another dear authors note: please include sex toys in more romances in general, but especially more historicals. Also, Sebastian's absolute DELIGHT in Charlie having them was great. He's such a great hero.
I had high expectations for this one, and it absolutely met them. It's always so pleasing to read a book that goes where it needs to go on every level. I find Grace to be a really consistent author, and I'm so excited about her next series... though... I mean.... I wouldn't be mad if someone from this one got a book, or at least a novella. Everyone deserves love, right?
Thanks so much to Grace Callaway for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is my 24th book by Grace Callaway and I have been reading her since 2016. She doesn’t write a ton of books a year (which is sad) because she writes so damn good. She is on my "favorite authors" list. It took me until I read Book 3 to realize Society of Angels series is a cute spin on Charlie’s Angels. Duh! :)
I loved Charlie and Sebastian. The sex was fucking hot as hell, and a ton of it. I loved their story. Most people aren’t like me and probably read the book description so I don't feel I’m giving anything away but it was sad that they lost those 12 years. I see why they but it still would suck, especially with how they felt about each other. Loved the intrigue and suspense. Just an overall great read. I marked it as one of my January 2024 reads.
So here's the thing. This is probably a three star book. It's not my favorite of Callaway's, but it was also fine most of the time. That's how I feel about this series in general compared to the rest of this interconnected universe.
Charlotte and the Seductive Spy master. Errr, my fellow readers. If you miss out on readings this book, you are missing out on a lot of good fun. “To the hilt,” like our leading female character Charlotte would say. Our main male character Sebastian/ Jack, brings sexy back to the most highest level for his seductress, Lottie. So for my readers- Ladies let’s get this party started right! Lottie/Charlotte is on her hot girl shitzam when a certain someone returns from her past. What the hell, I said. I was snug as bug, reading all the fun interesting ways that Devlin’s character offered to the book. Mainly how he’s desperately trying to drop his pants for a woman who could hurt him in so many ways. In the bed and out of the bed. Oooo sauce-say! Girl don’t hurt him now. We need him for future scenes. Then! Without notice, enters this muscular man, almost Zeus like of a God. He’s a fine as* man. Described with massive thighs and a thick- (say what?!), who takes Charlotte by the sea. Read the book. That’s all I’m saying. Before I get down to the good stuff. Pfft. Who am I kidding? The really good naughty stuff. Let’s talk about some of the book and the writing. Oooo child. I had so much fun reading, “Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster.” Someone who shall remain nameless, uhm. Rainelle. Stayed up most of the night, just to finish the book. I blame it on the characters. Mainly Sebastian and Devlin. It’s because the writer did such a terrific job with describing their fine, naked bodies. So much so that I went into a daze like trans. Yep, I sure did. Let’s continue on. Just wow. The writing is unbelievably amazing and so talented. From the first word in the book, this love story took me on a journey filled with action, romance, spy games, true love and forgiveness. There was joyful moments of having best friends and family to rely on. And let us not forget. Reading some of the best sexual foreplay written in a book. These points in time of the story were the boldest and momentous occasions of love and affection to add to a historical romance novel. For me these moments worked very well with the plot and the characters. The remarkable plot is current to the time period back then. What made this love story a page turner for me was the entertainment. The quick action and drama taking place among the characters such as, accosting the innocent in the dark alley ways. Secreted society’s initiated by the crown, who holds meetings in hidden alcoves. Pistols being drawn on those believed to be friends. Messages in need of translation. Then there’s betrayal and lies. Like I always say, it’s like watching Dallas on a Thursday night. Except in this case, I’m reading it. Cue up the theme song people. The characters and their dialogue helped the book stay engaging and exciting. Not one moment in the story did the book hold back or feel lacking of interest. The same could be said for the dialogue. The conversations between the characters had interesting points and maintained the direction as to where the story was going. I enjoyed the humor and prime bed scenes written for a book. I appreciate the fact that the writer took the time to describe the love story in detail. I also loved the description and details in regards to the characters emotions, as well as their personalities and actions. My imagination was filled to the max with good stuff. You needn’t have to worry about the length of the book. You will be to much into the book, to even notice what page you are on or how much time that is left in the book. With all this being said, I know and believe that this is an outstanding book. Thank God for the writer. She did not leave me in a lurch. I got to read a book with not one but two male hot bodies. Talk about mind being blown and other things being blown. My eyes shot so wide. In my mind I was shouting, what’s happening? What’s happening? My mouth was salivating during the descriptions of these two massive men and their most precious packages. Charlotte told her dream lover to be extra careful with his package. It’s very fragile to her. Together Sebastian and Charlotte explore and take their most secreted sexual desires and erotic pleasure on a three hour tour. Yes they did! Skipper and Gigligan services was not needed for this sailing expedition. Sebastian was tenacious in wanting to win his woman back, in the most gratifying of ways. Charlotte yelled back at him, slake your thirst your pearl darling. The dirty talk between these two is nothing, but dripping points to ecstasy. I adore Sebastian and Charlotte’s characters a lot. I don’t believe that I will read any other characters like them. And with that I say: I give this book two snaps and a, “Sebastian get on the net and securely grip the handles. Let me see my fragile package hang. Give mama some sugar.” Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster is the final (maybe?) book in the Lady Charlotte's Society of Angels series—a historical romance version of Charlie's Angels. If you're new to the series, I think this book actually stands well on its own.
Charlie's husband passed away 12 years ago...or did he? 🤔 Turns out, he's not really dead. He's a spymaster who was forced to fake his death in order to protect Charlie. Let's just say that Charlie isn't too happy when she finds out the truth. I am in the minority when I say that I love second chance romance lol. I especially love it when it's paired with the marriage in trouble trope. Charlie and Jack's passionate romance gave me the best of both worlds.
Charlie and Jack have a lot of secrets and deception to unravel before they find their HEA. If you've read the synopsis, you know that it hints at a love triangle. For those who don't like this trope, you will find it reassuring that the love triangle barely even starts before Charlie's dead husband makes his return.
In addition to the steamy, angsty, and emotional second chance romance, Charlie and Jack have to work together to avert an attack in London that could very well dismantle the monarchy. Packed with steamy romance, action, and mystery, Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster does a great job bringing together the entire team and their husbands for an epic conclusion.
P.S. There's definitely room for a spin-off series though 👀
This was a very anticipated installment to this series as soon as I learned this was going to be Charlotte's, "Charlie's", book. Since tragedy struck in her past, Charlotte has built a successful and thriving business with the sole purpose of helping those in distress, especially women. Through The Society of Angels, Charlotte has formed friendships with the Angels under her charge and has watched them grow, not only through their investigative skills but forming families of their own with the loves of their lives. This has recently caused Charlotte to consider whether she is ready to finally move on and risk her heart again. Little does Charlotte realize she is about to; just not with the man she thought would be a one-night indulgence and reunited with the one person she never thought she'd see again. I really enjoyed this installment. I loved how we got to see both Charlotte's and Sebastian's vulnerability individually and in their relationship. If you haven't checked this series out you really should. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
This book is a whole lot to process. I’m not even sure how to review it, to be quite honest. It definitely was not my favorite of the series, I loved Pippa and Fiona, and Glory’s books so much and had such high expectations for Charlotte but it just didn’t hit the way I wanted it to. Interestingly, I think if I had read this book first, out of order, I might have liked it more. But the way Charlotte is portrayed in books 1-4 and the way she’s portrayed in her own book lacks consistency.
There was so much drama and so many twists and turns and secrets on top of secrets. It’s a second chance romance between Charlotte and her husband who was thought to be dead but surprise! He faked his own death! Just when you think that’s where the shocking reveals end, hold on to your bonnets because the hits just keep coming.
I can forgive or overlook a great many things in histroms that I wouldn’t necessarily forgive in contemporary romances. But Sebastian/Jack and his seemingly never ending secrets that he kept from Charlotte, either to protect her or due to his own shame, became a lot to handle. It’s hard to trust someone whose lies keep pulling the rug out from under you and yet, Charlotte would be angry and then 5 minutes later, all was forgiven and she was giving him a BJ.
There’s also a lot of dark themes addressed in this book, pertaining to Jack’s affair with Judith, his employer, which starts when he’s 16 and she’s 32 that is not given the proper time and attention. He was sexually manipulated and controlled by someone in a position of power and authority over him and then blackmailed over it with lies.
Idk, I really liked Charlotte in the first 4 books and just wanted better for her own book than what I got.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The Society of Angels series concludes with a second chance romance as the widowed founder, Lady Charlotte learns her husband is still alive.
Jack Granger is a spy closing in on a decade's long quest to find a group of anarchists. He's been guarding Charlie from afar but their paths reunite. Soon its like they were never apart. Old wounds need to heal and mistakes of the past get resolved
There is danger and sexy times in abundance in Grace Callaway's signature style. I enjoyed this.
I wish I could give this book all the stars! Seriously...absolutely outstanding from the characters and emotion to the intricate plot woven with twists and turns I couldn’t see coming, I couldn't put it down. I won’t give any spoilers but this book stands out as a gem and in my opinion the best book this author has written to date. Run, don’t walk to grab this book and can we talk about how gorgeous the cover is! Seriously ten stars.
I forgot how erotic Grace's books. She had me blushing. I loved this book I'm so happy that Charlotte got her happy ending. It was also nice to see the Angels in more of an equal role rather than more of a learning role. The first lady spy series I read has come to an end it introduced Mr to this author and I can't wait to read more of her in the future.
Great conclusion to a wonderful series! I have been hoping and wanting Charlotte’s book since the beginning of the series. All of her Angels had their happily ever afters and now it’s Charlotte’s turn.
In this story, Charlotte’s past comes back for a second chance romance, and I couldn’t be happier for her. There are a lot of twist and turns and things to overcome from her past relationship. Sebastian also has such a complicated past and I felt so bad in how he thought he didn’t deserve happiness or Charlotte. He is a decent person that some crazy stuff happens to and creates such a burden for him. Trust can be so delicate and there are some real tests along the way for Charlotte and Sebastian. Then you add a secret dangerous society, spies and things get real crazy. With the help of her Angels and new allies, they managed to be the heroes needed for the task. A truly satisfying ending!
I’m super pumped for the Blackwood family series coming next! I love Pandora and Marcus’ story so I can’t wait to see the next generation’s stories. Also hoping Devlin gets his own story one day.
If you have read other books by Calloway, this will feel familiar - spicey scenes, a couple divided by secrets, an inner circle member who is not what they appear to be. Some of the writing is repetitive. While this is the 5th in a series, it works as a standalone.
Two MCs separated by lies and deception reunited and working together with one goal; an HEA. Charlie and Jack have all the GC magic - connection, passion, angst, and swoon. With a mystery to uncover and a past to work through Callaway shows why when second chance romances are done well they can be a top tier read.
Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster was a perfect way to finish off the LCSoA series and it’s so nice having a new GC book to read after finishing her backlog a few months ago 🥹
✨the stuff✨ - girl gang - masks & disguises - victorian sex toys - “i did it to protect you” - for an audience
This one is pretty interesting and with a second chance romance. I really liked the premise on this one in the series. Lady Charlie Fayne and Jack was just full of surprises for me and just learning more about Charlie and her past. This one does rank high for me in this series. So much mystery no one can get bored.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This is the BEST second-chance historical romance with estranged spouses that I've ever read; The anger and resentment is REAL between Charlie and Sebastian— of course there’s gonna be hella beef when a hero is caught with his "mistress", refuses to deny it, fakes his own death, and emerges twelve years later and is caught out because he can’t handle his not!widow kissing another guy so he throws a rock at them. But what’s equally real is this all-encompassing attraction (obsession even) that never dimmed between them, even after twelve years apart.
In the previous books in Lady Charlotte’s Society of Angels series, Charlie is seen as this level-headed, elegant lady… so obviously, this means in her book she’s very much NOT. She’s haunted by her husband’s betrayal and supposed death even as she completely fails to move on with other men (and believe me, Francis Devlin tries lolol). She’s also in the position where her friends and fellow investigators are getting married and having kids all while she feels like the odd one out. That being said, she’s still the classy, hyper-competent investigator we’ve all known to come and love.
Sebastian is a smooth, equally hyper-competent spy, and is down just as bad for Charlie as he was twelve years prior, except he knows he’s in the doghouse after the whole faked-death thing. I did have to laugh at Seb’s wistful thinking early on about what would have happened if they weren't separated, something along the lines of "we were horny before, but who KNOWS what kind of kinky fucks we could have become if we had more time together :( ". And his secrets don’t end with his faked death either; there’s more to Sebastian’s past that he slowly starts to reveal while he tries to regain Charlie’s trust and it was really heart-wrenching to read how he grapples with his need to protect Charlie and his own internalized shame. And all of this is happening while the two of them work together to thwart an anarchist organization in the lead-up to the Great Exhibition.
I liked how Grace wrote Charlie and Sebastian’s path to reconciliation: sure, the attraction, respect, and even the love between them never really went away, but it's the hurt and lack of trust that keeps them apart juuuust enough for most of the story so they keep doing dumb stuff like agreeing to a no-strings FWB relationship. It’s also this lack of trust that leads Charlie to assume the worst about Sebastian based on some questionable third-party sources.
Speaking of which, I appreciate that this book establishes that abusive and coercive sexual relationships and grooming comes in many forms and that boys and men can absolutely be victims in a way a lot of other historical romances don't, or skirt around. There are plenty of HR heroes I've read who blithely describe having sex when they're little more than boys, and a lot of times it's glossed over and we move on, but I am very glad this book was not one of them.
The sex:
Classic Grace Callaway sex scenes, which means it’s hot and heavy, the hero usually professes wanting to eat the heroine out 24/7, there’s generally one sex act that’s never been done before in Callaway-verse and no it’s not him eating ass (which has happened before, and happens here— good on them), and someone might say “gamahuche” but that’s alright and you move on. Charlie and Sebastian have this super hot give-and-take, almost-goading dynamic where they each give as good as they’ve got and there’s a decent chance arguments might end with sex. They also do that thing in second chance romances that I love where they know EXACTLY what the other person likes and they aren’t afraid to use it on (against?) them.
I feel like the Lady Charlotte series has been a little more sex-toy forward (see: Pippa and Cull and ye olde sex swing), so it feels inevitable there would be a scene where Charlie shows Sebastian exactly how she pleasured herself for the twelve years he was away, namely, with a collection of dildos. I’d say that was the hottest scene in the book, but it’s also tied with The Time They Do Things With Meringue And A Butter Boat.
There is also scene where she employs a riding crop on him (in public! After some sexy shadow puppetry!), and while the crop itself wasn't used that much, it DID serve a purpose, and if that purpose is Charlie utterly failing to edge Sebastian as punishment for not telling the truth and accidentally getting him off sooner than she wanted, then so be it.
Overall:
I adore Grace Callaway and this book hit all the points I wanted from a second-chance romance with a married couple: it had the romance, the tension and angst, and you immediately feel that despite their estrangement, Charlie and Sebastian know each other better than anyone else and in that sense, they truly belong together. I would absolutely recommend this to any historical romance reader, though I do suggest starting from the beginning of the Lady Charlotte series.
Thank you to Grace Callaway and her team for the ARC in exchange for my review.
I will admit that second chance romance is my least favorite trope and yet Callaway has a way of writing it that always blows me away. The first time I read a one of her books with this trope, I was shocked at how much I adored it. I think this is one of Callaway’s best written books. She is no amateur when it comes to espionage & mystery in storytelling. What really stood out to me, however, is how she essentially reversed the roles of the characters. Jack was the damsel in distress from the first page, & it was Charlotte that came to his rescue in the end. It's not every time that you run into a book where the heroine is the one 100% in control.
Some of my favorite characters are those that I don't immediately like, and from the first time I met Charlotte in Olivia and the Masked Duke I had my reservations about her. As I learned a little bit about her each book (and by this I mean VERY little), I started to wonder about her story. Admittedly, this was not the story I expected. As I mentioned this was essentially a role reversal where Charlotte was the Hero and Jack was the heroine. I know that seems a bit mad to describe but once you read the book you'll understand what I mean.
Jack, on the other hand, held my heart from the beginning. I was immediately smitten with him. Callaway is no stranger to torturing her heroes--or rather creating a tortured past--and I think she came back a bit to her roots when she wrote Jack (if you've read her first series than you will once again know what I'm talking about, lol). Yet he's still a man who has something to prove and despite everything that happens to him, he retains his virtuous nature.
As far as the plot, I will admit that I am not the best at guessing the mystery so I expected every twist and turn of the story with bated breath. My jaw dropped and I audibly gasped numerous times as certain realizations came to be. But that is one of my favorite things about Callaway's writing; she manages to keep the mystery simple yet unexpected and I enjoyed every minute of it. My emotions were a roller coaster throughout and I felt myself frustrated with the mains, confused by the clues, and exasperated with the villain at each turn.
And I know I haven't mentioned the spice, because frankly the story was just so good I forgot about all the sex when I started writing this review.
Except I should really talk about that because I swear to Gd this woman has a way of reimagining erotic details! There is no chance you'll get bored with the intimate scenes because these were some of the most imaginative scenes she's written! What can I say without giving anything away? She managed to make the erotic scenes feel both filthy and intimately close.
All this to say that this was a great way to end the Society of Angels series. I love that Callaway saw a chance to create a unique retelling of a modern story. I am always excited to see where her writing goes and the sneak peak of the next series is something to look forward to!
─────────────────────⋇⊶⊰❣⊱⊷⋇───────────────────── My thanks and appreciation to Grace Callaway for the opportunity to review this title in exchange for an honest review
Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster is the last installment in Grace Callaway’s excellent ‘Lady Charlotte’s Society of Angels’ series and we finally get Lady Charlotte’s story. It can be read as a standalone. Lady Charlotte Fayne has been the slightly mysterious founder of a society of lady detectives. Older and more mature than her protegees she has created a society of successful investigators but we never really knew what her motivation was. This is now revealed when her present investigation collides with her past. Charlotte has spent the last twelve years believing that her husband betrayed her and died in the arms of his lover [although she was never really convinced about his death – the reason for starting her investigations]. She finally decides she needs to move on but before she can her husband comes back from the dead. Charlie realises that she never really knew her husband but maybe the man in front of her now can be a much stronger love. Second chance romances are not really my favourite trope [and this is a very long separation] but Grace always manages to create compelling characters with such depth and layers to them that you are sucked into their world and really root for them to achieve their happily ever after. I ended up adoring these two characters. Despite the initial mistrust and enmity I love that Charlie and Sebastian resolved their differences maturely and without undue histrionics. Charlie was capable, smart and was Sebastian’s equal in all ways. She didn’t prolong any punishment for his deceptions and instead followed her heart. I also loved that she often outsmarted Sebastian and didn’t simply step aside when he told her to. I absolutely fell in love with Sebastian. For a new character, he has such an impact from the minute we see him. He is genuinely one of my most favourite Callaway heroes [and there is a lot to measure up to]. Sebastian is strong, smart, roguish and super seductive – but he also has his vulnerabilities and insecurities. I love that he kept a protective eye on Charlie over the years – and I love how possessive/jealous he gets over her. 12 years is a long time to be estranged but I adored that he stayed true to Charlie and he doesn’t hide that she is the only one for him. [There was a question that Sebastian asked on what happened while they were estranged which I so wish Charlotte had given a different answer to. It is a flip on the norm which I admit I didn’t love and wish hadn’t been included but that is my own preference in romance and I completely understand why Grace might have added that. It was realistic]. As a couple Sebastian and Charlie are so well matched and I love that Grace manages to convey that their love is deeper this time around. They are each other’s destinies and this is obvious right from the start. The book was fast paced and super sexy with playful, witty banter which I adore. It was great to see all the ladies and their loves involved in the story and this was a really, genuinely satisfying end to the series. So in all, I was not expecting to love the story or characters in this one as much as I did. I received an advanced review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I loved Charlie and Sebastian and definitely recommend this to all. 4.5 stars rounded up.
I love Grace Callaway’s writing so I was expecting another good book with Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster. The novel is the latest addition to Lady Charlotte’s Society of Angels. What I got was a novel that sparked joy. It made me smile, it also made me read into the early morning. Grace was the reason I was so tired at work. A book hangover however, is the best type of hangover.
It was a story of second chances, a story of a love that time didn’t diminish. It takes a good writer to keep a series fresh until the end. For me this is the absolute best book of the series. I wasn’t as invested in Charlotte prior to this book. Yes, she was the leader of the Society of Angels but all the other former female characters already felt like family by the time we got to their stories. Grace made it work, the story had me in a chokehold from the beginning and did not let up.
Lady Charlotte is very surprised to see her husband. After all he has been “dead” for years. What has obviously not died is their feelings for each other. This time around her husband has another name, Jack and instead of being an aristocrat he is a spy. Lady Charlotte is investigating a mystery for a friend. This mystery lands her in Jack’s way as they are both investigating the same group. Jack knows Charlotte is the only woman he will ever love. He “died” in the past to keep her safe and will do whatever is necessary in the present to keep her alive. What he knows for sure is that he doesn’t want to be separated from her again.
The chemistry between these two characters was so hot. Their past relationship provided a backdrop for them but it was the trust and openness that developed in the present that really propelled their story. It was wonderful seeing Charlotte let down her guard and let Jack back in. In his own way Jack was a squishy cinnamon roll with his vulnerabilities. This book is spicy 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🥵🥵🥵. But…Grace does what she does best. The spice added to the story. It never overwhelmed or became boring.
It wouldn’t be a Grace Callaway novel without a mystery. It blended well with the story and highlighted how much these two cared for each other. They both needed the other to be safe. Another hit from Grace Callaway. She definitely saved the best for last.
WOOOO WEEE!!!! What a way to end a series. Imma go ahead and warn you now…when you pick up this book…you’ll need to have three things on hand: a cuppa wata (yes wata with an “a”), a fire extinguisher and just for good measure keep your phone locked on 911 in case you need a fireman OR TWO ‘cause BAYBAE… Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster is sizzling. It’s a blazing five-alarm fire and there’s also one helluva spy story thrown into the mix.
Spectacular. That's the only word I can think of that truly captures the essence of this book. Callaway has crafted a world that is vivid and engrossing and utterly captivating. Hell, at one point I was so involved I thought I might be one of Charlie’s angels. And then…there’s this incredible loooove story! My gawd!!! The love between Charlotte and Sebastian is timeless. Their energy, connection and love is unparalleled. Neither time nor distance could dim its brilliance.
As the head of a group of female detectives, Lady Charlie Fayne dedicates her life to aiding women in distress. Driven by her own tumultuous history, Charlie's latest case resurrects disturbing memories. Suddenly, her hard-earned independence, the society she's built and her future are in jeopardy. Caught between a charming new admirer and a tempting second chance at romance, Charlie grapples with her past and present. The decisions she makes unravel a dangerous mystery that threatens her existence. Balancing trust and love becomes Charlie's most treacherous mission.
Let’s face it folks…Grace Callaway is one amazing writer…and for the last book in a series to be this darn good….it makes absolutely no sense. NONE. But what a fabulous read it is. Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster with its devious schemes and unexpected twists is the perfect conclusion to Lady Charlotte’s Society of Angels.
Tropes: Spy, Second Chance, Enemies to lovers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥(maybe more…I got caught up and forgot to finish counting) ish counting)
A thrilling conclusion to this wild ride with the Society of Angels! Lady Charlotte aka Lottie has existed as the wealthy widowed Marchioness of Fayne for 12 years until she’s not! Lottie has discovered her husband is very much alive and had never cheated on her!? What else has she missed as she and her Angels uncover a deadly threat against England to be carried out at the Great Exhibition! There is so many secret plots and dangerous undertakings it’s hard to keep up! I totally disliked Marquess of Fayne aka Sebastian leader of their secret group he was manipulating the guilt Sebastian felt until he wasn’t. Since Sebastian no longer existed I much more loved Jack a hero and my new book boyfriend! As Sebastian aka Jack attempts to put his past behind another explosive secret is unleashed! This time Lottie gives up on him and kicks him to the curb! Primus is the leader of the spy’s and Jacks spymaster who knows so much more than he is telling! There are explosions and enough secrets exposed to blow up London! I would have liked to know if Lottie was able to assist the woman in the factory with 6 mouths to feed!? Never got a resolution on that!? But what did get resolved was Jack and his fierce love for Lottie resulting in a HEA for the ages after of course a few things didn’t catch on fire and there is a match factory involved! We did need a glimpse into the future!? Maybe in the spin-off? Bravo
I have been curious about the enigmatic Lady Charlotte since the first book in the series. This author is always a favorite of mine for historical romance, and I loved this angsty and spicy second chance romance! Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster is the fifth and final book in the Lady Charlotte and the Society of Angels series.
Charlotte was not married very long when her husband passed away after she caught him having an affair. However, things were not as they seemed. Lady Charlotte’s husband isn’t really dead! Now going by Jack, Charlotte’s husband recently resurfaced after 12 years due to her current investigation.
There were so many secrets and mysteries in this book. I loved the suspense and the angst as Charlotte learned the truth of what happened so many years ago. There was so much push and pull between them. They had to learn how to accept their past and figure out how they could move forward in their current lives. Neither of them is the same person as they were 12 years ago.
I really liked the spice in this book as well. Lady Charlotte and Jack had some fun with food and toys. The two of them could not keep their hands off each other.
I can’t wait to see what this author releases next!
Lady Charlotte Fayne has made it her life’s mission to help women in need, with help from her secret society of lady detectives. But her newest case unearths her past in wild ways.
This is the fifth and final book in the Lady Charlotte's Society of Angels series, a historical romance with a Charlie's Angels twist. While there are connections to the other couples, I feel like this one could be read alone.
Charlotte has lived as a widow for twelve years, believing her husband Sebastian died in a fire with a lover. But Jack Granger's appearance unlocks old wounds and overwhelming desires. While I was excited for Charlotte's story, I thought Jack stole the show here. I thought his backstory was intriguing and I love how protective he was, willing to forgo his own happiness to keep Charlotte safe. There were a lot of moving parts to their investigation and - as much as I adore the sky-high steam - I actually think there could have been one or two fewer love scenes to build the big finale. Overall a very satisfying end to the series! 4.5 stars
Tropes: Second Chance, Disguised Character, Working Heroine, Spy/Govt Work
Steam: 5++ (I lost count, I think there might have been around ten)
Second chances with a little bit of enemies to lovers (again), hot, hot, hot steam, a little bit of fun and humor, and a mystery.
On a spy mission for her agency, Lady Charlotte Fayne thinks she sees her dead husband of twelve years. It turns out Sebastian/Jack had good reasons for faking his death but will Charlotte be able to forgive him and try again? What stood out for me in this book was how the author penned the characters' feelings. The raw emotions just come out and you can feel them. From anger to loss to betrayal and even the angst of love, it's all in here. Another thing that Calloway does so very well is the chemistry between the characters. At first, I was right with Charlotte in hating Sebastian for what he supposedly did and didn't trust him, but when he lets his true self show beneath that armor, I feel what Charlotte sees in him. And Sebastian didn't disappoint! Plenty of steamy scenes but not run-of-mill typical historical romance. Very open and honest raw dialogue with no hiding or holding anything back. A great spy story/mystery that can stand by itself without the romance- this book was just a magical blending of so many layers. This book can be read as a stand-alone. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
i was so excited for charlotte and jack's story knowing that it's a second chance romance. throughout the last four books, charlotte had been the head of the angels and had always been a little distant while the four angels take the center stage of their own novels, so charlotte was a character that i wanted to know more about. also, it was hinted that she was burned in the past so i wanted to know about that as well. charlie used her pain and turned it into something productive for herself. she created the society of lady detectives and her life's mission is to help women in need. i loved that about her.
the romance was pretty fast moving but i wasn't too concerned since the couple already had a connection in the past. there were quite a bit of history and bad memories to go through and for them to talk about. none of it was brushed past easily which i appreciated. the main mystery lurking in the dark side increased the risk of them being together as well.
overall, i really enjoyed reading charlie's story. she definitely deserved all the happiness in the world and i'm glad that they found their way back to each other.
SAVOR. Yeah, I tried that and it did not work. I gobbled up this book and wanted it to last and last. This second chance romance is one of the best (along with The Lady Who Came in From the Cold) out there. There are no easy answers. There are secrets and longing. I am not sure I can do any kind of justice in my review. Go grab this book and see what I mean. The mystery works well amongst the lust and forgiveness in the story. Our pasts don’t rule us, it is the future. A hard lesson learned by Jack. The banter is out of this world delicious and the bedroom scenes are hot! I usually don’t say that in reviews, but I feel this deserves all of the praise I can pour into this review. The cover of this book is amazing and gives off the vibes of the story.
The Angels are not gone!!!!! Please let Devlin get his own story because he is a rake that needs a strong woman to make him realize he is capable of love.
I see the next series is about the Blackwood children (one of my favorite books).
Charlotte and the Seductive Spymaster is the fifth book in the Lady Charlotte's Society of Angels series and now the reader gets to see from where it all started to how it ends. This is a riveting novel, and the conclusion to this series it is an absolute page-turner. The main characters,
Charlotte and Sebastian/Jack are fascinating and multi-layered, sprinkled with a lot of sass and a whole lot of sizzle. Their chemistry sizzles off the page and there are some many twists of mystery and suspense throughout the whole novel. Charlotte has always been a little bit of a mystery in the previous novels but now she reveals her story, showing why she is the person she is, and the choices that she had to make along the way. It is also great to see the other characters interwoven into the storyline and see what they have been up to.
I love all of Grace Callaway's novels, and this is just another wonderful and highly impressive addition to the series and its conclusion. Cannot wait to see what this author she has in store for the reader the next time around!