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PALADIN #2
Tattletale
They say forgiveness sets you free. But I don't want freedom... I want revenge.
CRICKET
We loved each other under the guise of friendship, but we always knew it was more. I thought our bond was unbreakable.
Until he broke it.
Lance betrayed me when I needed him most, all just to become our boss’ golden boy.
Now, all I want is to escape him and the heartbreak of his betrayal. So when an opportunity outside of our team arises, I volunteer. My mission is simple: seduce the secrets out of the handsome billionaire, then report back to headquarters. Except his unexpected charming smile has me thinking…
Maybe it’s time to disappear into a new life.
LANCE
I’ll only ever love one woman. And I only betrayed her to save her.
The mistake Cricket seemed determined to make would’ve cost her life, and I could not let that happen.
Now she hates me. Her blood boils when we’re in the same room. But I know one day she’ll forgive me. In the meantime, her spiteful rage is kind of a turn-on.
The problem is her uncover assignment. Her new boss is a threat I never saw coming. He’s extra dangerous. All his games are psychological and she’s falling for every single trick.
When Cricket goes missing, I start crossing lines and breaking rules I never thought I would. All to get answers. Just hoping...
Somewhere deep down, my best friend is still there.
***
Tattletale is book 2 in the PALADIN Series. It is a spicy, best friend to enemies to lovers, with an unhinged FMC who has her eyes set on revenge. Throw in a dash of love triangle and an obsessive jilted lover and this romantic suspense is guaranteed to be explosive. Intended for audiences 18+. Please check the trigger warnings prior to reading.
CRICKET
We loved each other under the guise of friendship, but we always knew it was more. I thought our bond was unbreakable.
Until he broke it.
Lance betrayed me when I needed him most, all just to become our boss’ golden boy.
Now, all I want is to escape him and the heartbreak of his betrayal. So when an opportunity outside of our team arises, I volunteer. My mission is simple: seduce the secrets out of the handsome billionaire, then report back to headquarters. Except his unexpected charming smile has me thinking…
Maybe it’s time to disappear into a new life.
LANCE
I’ll only ever love one woman. And I only betrayed her to save her.
The mistake Cricket seemed determined to make would’ve cost her life, and I could not let that happen.
Now she hates me. Her blood boils when we’re in the same room. But I know one day she’ll forgive me. In the meantime, her spiteful rage is kind of a turn-on.
The problem is her uncover assignment. Her new boss is a threat I never saw coming. He’s extra dangerous. All his games are psychological and she’s falling for every single trick.
When Cricket goes missing, I start crossing lines and breaking rules I never thought I would. All to get answers. Just hoping...
Somewhere deep down, my best friend is still there.
***
Tattletale is book 2 in the PALADIN Series. It is a spicy, best friend to enemies to lovers, with an unhinged FMC who has her eyes set on revenge. Throw in a dash of love triangle and an obsessive jilted lover and this romantic suspense is guaranteed to be explosive. Intended for audiences 18+. Please check the trigger warnings prior to reading.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2024
321 people are currently reading
2946 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
September 22, 2024
Cricket and Lance…😭🫶🏻 I love them so much! Seriously this book was everything I needed it to be. As soon as I read whistleblower I immediately fell in love with these characters. Their chemistry is so good and I love that they are there for each other always. This book had be giggling, crying, and everything in between. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!
September 15, 2024
This book deserved all stars. I sat and read it in one sitting and still cannot get into another book. Lance and Cricket were exactly what I imagined and how I imagined their story and relationship to be.
Lance I had a feeling his golden retriever energy with the morally grey coating would be the end of me and it simply was. There’s no other word than exactly what I expected happened, happened. He went to the ends of everything to get the girl he was been in love with. His best friend, his other half, his twin flame. The person who makes Lance, Lance.
Cricket had a hard life before she came into PALADIN, and it sticks to her to this day no matter how long ago it was. She knows the day she gives into Lance, it will be the end but doesn’t know if it’s a bad or good ending so so pushing him away to protect herself. She is a strong, relentless, resilient woman who is on a warpath of revenge and will do anything to get it.
This book and couple has been a must have for me since they were teased in WhistleBlower. I knew from then if they did not get a story by the end of the PALADIN series, then the series would not be truly finished. I laughed, I cried, I felt my heart break for these two while reading. Their story is my favorite, will be my favorite for years to come. The completely embedded themselves in my skin and bones.
I have never craved or needed a couple to have a book like I did for these two! WhistleBlower gave them so much angst and tension, a lot of banter and love just shared from little scenes here and there and since then I have been needing more than just the crumbs.
These two were everything I needed in the world of PALADIN. This friend to enemies to lovers was such a fluid story. Everything just made sense. The characters, the plot, the twists and turns. Not a single thing seemed out of place and had such a FANTASTIC ending to lead into book 3 and I cannot wait to read it in one sitting as well.
This book is by far Kay Coves best book. Best couple. Best everything. It’s already time for me to reread it and it hasn’t even been released yet….
Lance I had a feeling his golden retriever energy with the morally grey coating would be the end of me and it simply was. There’s no other word than exactly what I expected happened, happened. He went to the ends of everything to get the girl he was been in love with. His best friend, his other half, his twin flame. The person who makes Lance, Lance.
Cricket had a hard life before she came into PALADIN, and it sticks to her to this day no matter how long ago it was. She knows the day she gives into Lance, it will be the end but doesn’t know if it’s a bad or good ending so so pushing him away to protect herself. She is a strong, relentless, resilient woman who is on a warpath of revenge and will do anything to get it.
This book and couple has been a must have for me since they were teased in WhistleBlower. I knew from then if they did not get a story by the end of the PALADIN series, then the series would not be truly finished. I laughed, I cried, I felt my heart break for these two while reading. Their story is my favorite, will be my favorite for years to come. The completely embedded themselves in my skin and bones.
I have never craved or needed a couple to have a book like I did for these two! WhistleBlower gave them so much angst and tension, a lot of banter and love just shared from little scenes here and there and since then I have been needing more than just the crumbs.
These two were everything I needed in the world of PALADIN. This friend to enemies to lovers was such a fluid story. Everything just made sense. The characters, the plot, the twists and turns. Not a single thing seemed out of place and had such a FANTASTIC ending to lead into book 3 and I cannot wait to read it in one sitting as well.
This book is by far Kay Coves best book. Best couple. Best everything. It’s already time for me to reread it and it hasn’t even been released yet….
February 13, 2025
Read this bc someone on tiktok said it's a hate to lovers story...it's not. At all. I liked the blurb so much that I read it without reading any reviews like I usually would to screen it for stupidity, but that wouldn't have saved me anyway because I just scrolled a bunch of reviews and literally no one read the same book that I did. Wtf. I hate to be that person (I have no problems being that person) but this review will just be long and ranty because I HATED this book.
Let's start with the inconsistencies:
The book says she was 10 when her mother died then later says she was 12.
In one chapter it says twice that the MMC hasn't spoken to the FMC in 11 days since they got back, then says only a page later that it had been a week since they'd gotten back. After that he continues to say that they haven't spoken in a week.
They felt a deep connection very soon after meeting and she told him they were endgame and not to come after her until he was ready to settle down...and it took him 10 years (or 9, due to more inconsistent numbering) to decide he wanted her while she watched him manwh0re his way through "more pussy in a month than most men did in their lifetime". How...romantic?? He much later says that he's waited for HER for 10 years but all evidence points otherwise.
She also has ONSes with other people before in those years before they're actually together and honestly good for her. This is the only thing keeping me from being more annoyed about the paragraph above.
Now let's talk about the timing of the setup for this story:
The MMC basically just struggles internally with his feelings for her in chapter 1 and wonders why he isn't more into the hot woman hitting on him who is exactly his type (who it's clear from the moment she steps on page to flirt with him is actually the MMC's sister that she thinks is dead, this is so heavy handed). Then in his next chapter he decides he wants the FMC in a split second while talking with her, after just being friends for 10 (9?) years and then suddenly he's all in, wanting forever, not taking no for an answer, AND wants to get married and start a family within the next few months. This is all in the opening scenesn of the story. Chapter THREE!!! Like I get it, the story needs to set up them getting together before he betrays her, but the WHIPLASH of those first three chapters, damn.
And the names?? It took me until 23% to realize that the man who rescues her in the prologue isn't the MMC because all these names start with the letter L.
Lance, Linc, Luca, Levi, there's a side character named Leonardo, a company named Lochland Enterprises (the OM's last name that's used a few times too), and Lance's full name is Lancelot, which the FMC pulls out sometimes. Confusing asf. And don't get me started on Vesper and Vivienne.
The book tells us to see Vesper as a motherly figure to all of these operatives, but she's sketchy asf, proving that you can TELL your readers whatever you want, but unless you also SHOW them that, it doesn't mean a thing.
This guy is supposed to be a highly skilled operative with 10 (9?!!) years of experience, yet the mysterious woman/assassin/FMC's long lost sister clocks him as a fellow assassin the first time she lays eyes on him in a gentleman's club. And he makes many rookie mistakes as he proceeds to tell this random woman his real name and what operation he's there for, etc., meanwhile she, a professional, tells him basically nothing lol. I love when women... He also can't keep a basic ass secret from his second mother/boss when he had like 5 hours of driving to come up with a reason why the FMC didn't return with him that wouldn't be betraying her. The boss/pseudo mother clocked his guilt and lie immediately. HOW is this guy going on missions still?
And the MMC himself is piece of work:
"I’m furious for a multitude of reasons. I’m mad at Cricket for blindly hating me for no good reason. I’m angry with Vesper for sitting idly by, doing nothing to repair what ultimately, she broke." 🙄
“I’m in love with a woman who chooses everything over me." 🙄
This manchild hasn't taken one moment of accountability for the part he played in betraying the FMC and breaking her heart, ultimately pushing her away. He chose to betray her trust and tell his boss (Vesper) her plan. He thought he was saving her, yes, but now here he's blaming her for being mad at him "for no good reason" and also his boss because apparently she broke their relationship?! Boyyyyy
Here's where we get into the fact that this was not a hate to love story, it was a story where they confess their love in chapter 3, immediately plan to marry, he betrays her, and she's heartsick about it and trying to distance herself but can't because she loves him. There's some manufactured angst and jealousy, but it's always clear that they both are still only wanting each other, and they're back together quickly once they finally talk.
Oh ick. And now at 45% I realize that I can't read this book without seeing the setup mirrorin Trump, Melania, and Elon Musk. Idk if the author meant to do this, but my mind is too close to current politics rn not to see it. And I realize this book was published a few months before 2025, but I CANNOT SEPARATE HOW SIMILAR THESE PEOPLE ARE TO THEM.
Just tell me what you think:
There's the president with the silver hair in his second term with the hot wife people criticized him over who is decades younger than him. He has a ridiculous campaign slogan that basically radicalized his followers and gained him popularity (this is my explanation of their explanation).
And the cunning target the FMC is supposed to have a love triangle with is Elon (is he supposed to be attractive? Here the character is described as "handsome", "devil in disguise", a "sexy package" 💀), the tech charming billionaire who is secretly controlling the world with AI and propaganda and who helped get the president elected. We're supposed to feel pity for the wife who just loves her husband who "restored her faith in humanity" because he's such a good guy, but he's been led astray by his connection with the Elon, I mean Gabriel (and their secr t organization is named Aeon--tell me this isn't heavy handed). They're apparently in the works on what will start WW III and they've got to stop it. Sound familiar?
I'm not saying this is what the author meant but this is what I'm picking up. I'm officially DNFing here because this gives me the ickkkkkk.
Ugh okay I kept reading. Sue me.
Wtf if this random storyline of Vesper/the boss being caught secretly buying multiple hundreds of boxes of cookies for her ex's son (one of the two he had with his new wife) to get him be the most successful in his troop because she's just so in love still with her ex? She couldn't have children so he found someone who could and this is her now. She won't even hook up with the person who showed interest in her because she's still in love with her ex. This is my sign to put this author on my never read again list bc she writes women as doormats in the name of love.
At 78%, after blaming the FMC for being angry with him the entire book, and after SHE apologizes for being angry with him and the MMC still chastises her, he suddenly has an epiphany:
"That’s what lost me Cricket in the first place. I don’t regret stopping her from killing Luca, but the mistake I made was running to Vesper."
With zero processing leading up to this moment, he suddenly realizes that he betrayed her by doing that. Like I said, this book tells us a whole lot, but it doesn't show us any of it.
Lol she's a horrible assassin/spy too. She literally gives up her real name immediately to her dangerous target (you think this tech guy wasn't going to look you up?) and he can spot her lies the moment she says them. She also tells him all about her life and sob story. Girl how are you still working for them?
She told him the whole plot because she believed his act and then got herself kidnapped and put her entire organization in jeopardy.
Oh yeah, the psychopath just wanted the woman he was in love with in exchange for the FMC and he's not really evil he was just in love and willing to kill to get her to come back to him and she's still in love with him but can't be with him but they'll meet again in death bc she knew he needed to die. Biggest eye roll ever. I can't believe I read all of this for that.
The only cute thing was the MMC visiting his mother who doesn't remember him with his new wife on their wedding day. Should have been a much longer scene.
Let's start with the inconsistencies:
The book says she was 10 when her mother died then later says she was 12.
In one chapter it says twice that the MMC hasn't spoken to the FMC in 11 days since they got back, then says only a page later that it had been a week since they'd gotten back. After that he continues to say that they haven't spoken in a week.
They felt a deep connection very soon after meeting and she told him they were endgame and not to come after her until he was ready to settle down...and it took him 10 years (or 9, due to more inconsistent numbering) to decide he wanted her while she watched him manwh0re his way through "more pussy in a month than most men did in their lifetime". How...romantic?? He much later says that he's waited for HER for 10 years but all evidence points otherwise.
She also has ONSes with other people before in those years before they're actually together and honestly good for her. This is the only thing keeping me from being more annoyed about the paragraph above.
Now let's talk about the timing of the setup for this story:
The MMC basically just struggles internally with his feelings for her in chapter 1 and wonders why he isn't more into the hot woman hitting on him who is exactly his type (who it's clear from the moment she steps on page to flirt with him is actually the MMC's sister that she thinks is dead, this is so heavy handed). Then in his next chapter he decides he wants the FMC in a split second while talking with her, after just being friends for 10 (9?) years and then suddenly he's all in, wanting forever, not taking no for an answer, AND wants to get married and start a family within the next few months. This is all in the opening scenesn of the story. Chapter THREE!!! Like I get it, the story needs to set up them getting together before he betrays her, but the WHIPLASH of those first three chapters, damn.
And the names?? It took me until 23% to realize that the man who rescues her in the prologue isn't the MMC because all these names start with the letter L.
Lance, Linc, Luca, Levi, there's a side character named Leonardo, a company named Lochland Enterprises (the OM's last name that's used a few times too), and Lance's full name is Lancelot, which the FMC pulls out sometimes. Confusing asf. And don't get me started on Vesper and Vivienne.
The book tells us to see Vesper as a motherly figure to all of these operatives, but she's sketchy asf, proving that you can TELL your readers whatever you want, but unless you also SHOW them that, it doesn't mean a thing.
This guy is supposed to be a highly skilled operative with 10 (9?!!) years of experience, yet the mysterious woman/assassin/FMC's long lost sister clocks him as a fellow assassin the first time she lays eyes on him in a gentleman's club. And he makes many rookie mistakes as he proceeds to tell this random woman his real name and what operation he's there for, etc., meanwhile she, a professional, tells him basically nothing lol. I love when women... He also can't keep a basic ass secret from his second mother/boss when he had like 5 hours of driving to come up with a reason why the FMC didn't return with him that wouldn't be betraying her. The boss/pseudo mother clocked his guilt and lie immediately. HOW is this guy going on missions still?
And the MMC himself is piece of work:
"I’m furious for a multitude of reasons. I’m mad at Cricket for blindly hating me for no good reason. I’m angry with Vesper for sitting idly by, doing nothing to repair what ultimately, she broke." 🙄
“I’m in love with a woman who chooses everything over me." 🙄
This manchild hasn't taken one moment of accountability for the part he played in betraying the FMC and breaking her heart, ultimately pushing her away. He chose to betray her trust and tell his boss (Vesper) her plan. He thought he was saving her, yes, but now here he's blaming her for being mad at him "for no good reason" and also his boss because apparently she broke their relationship?! Boyyyyy
Here's where we get into the fact that this was not a hate to love story, it was a story where they confess their love in chapter 3, immediately plan to marry, he betrays her, and she's heartsick about it and trying to distance herself but can't because she loves him. There's some manufactured angst and jealousy, but it's always clear that they both are still only wanting each other, and they're back together quickly once they finally talk.
Oh ick. And now at 45% I realize that I can't read this book without seeing the setup mirrorin Trump, Melania, and Elon Musk. Idk if the author meant to do this, but my mind is too close to current politics rn not to see it. And I realize this book was published a few months before 2025, but I CANNOT SEPARATE HOW SIMILAR THESE PEOPLE ARE TO THEM.
Just tell me what you think:
There's the president with the silver hair in his second term with the hot wife people criticized him over who is decades younger than him. He has a ridiculous campaign slogan that basically radicalized his followers and gained him popularity (this is my explanation of their explanation).
And the cunning target the FMC is supposed to have a love triangle with is Elon (is he supposed to be attractive? Here the character is described as "handsome", "devil in disguise", a "sexy package" 💀), the tech charming billionaire who is secretly controlling the world with AI and propaganda and who helped get the president elected. We're supposed to feel pity for the wife who just loves her husband who "restored her faith in humanity" because he's such a good guy, but he's been led astray by his connection with the Elon, I mean Gabriel (and their secr t organization is named Aeon--tell me this isn't heavy handed). They're apparently in the works on what will start WW III and they've got to stop it. Sound familiar?
I'm not saying this is what the author meant but this is what I'm picking up. I'm officially DNFing here because this gives me the ickkkkkk.
Ugh okay I kept reading. Sue me.
Wtf if this random storyline of Vesper/the boss being caught secretly buying multiple hundreds of boxes of cookies for her ex's son (one of the two he had with his new wife) to get him be the most successful in his troop because she's just so in love still with her ex? She couldn't have children so he found someone who could and this is her now. She won't even hook up with the person who showed interest in her because she's still in love with her ex. This is my sign to put this author on my never read again list bc she writes women as doormats in the name of love.
At 78%, after blaming the FMC for being angry with him the entire book, and after SHE apologizes for being angry with him and the MMC still chastises her, he suddenly has an epiphany:
"That’s what lost me Cricket in the first place. I don’t regret stopping her from killing Luca, but the mistake I made was running to Vesper."
With zero processing leading up to this moment, he suddenly realizes that he betrayed her by doing that. Like I said, this book tells us a whole lot, but it doesn't show us any of it.
Lol she's a horrible assassin/spy too. She literally gives up her real name immediately to her dangerous target (you think this tech guy wasn't going to look you up?) and he can spot her lies the moment she says them. She also tells him all about her life and sob story. Girl how are you still working for them?
She told him the whole plot because she believed his act and then got herself kidnapped and put her entire organization in jeopardy.
Oh yeah, the psychopath just wanted the woman he was in love with in exchange for the FMC and he's not really evil he was just in love and willing to kill to get her to come back to him and she's still in love with him but can't be with him but they'll meet again in death bc she knew he needed to die. Biggest eye roll ever. I can't believe I read all of this for that.
The only cute thing was the MMC visiting his mother who doesn't remember him with his new wife on their wedding day. Should have been a much longer scene.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2024
Kay Cove is a hidden gem that I’m SO glad I found 🥹 her books are amazing & keep me on the edge of my seat (which is hard in a romance)! All the reveals she had in the book shocked me in the best way. There’s a certain part in the book that got me super emotional & I didn’t expect it. No spoilers here though 🤭 I was so excited for Cricket & Lance’s story after reading Whistleblower. & their story didn’t disappoint! I will say I was a little worried that they were moving too fast paced for my liking. BUT Kay Cove said gotcha! She truly is an amazing writer & her books deserve WAAAAY more hype!
read if you like ||
-assass!ns
-possessive mmc
-workplace romance
-friends to enemies to lovers
read if you like ||
-assass!ns
-possessive mmc
-workplace romance
-friends to enemies to lovers
December 17, 2024
I go into all books blind, I don't even read the summaries. Getting an ARC copy of this book was so exciting as Whistleblower helped catapult my reading journey in 2024. Having the start of Lance and Cricket's story start in that book I knew their foundation would be strong - however, I did not expect the friends to enemies to lovers twist to happen and I was hanging onto every page for their resolution.
Kay Cove has an incredible way of writing these high suspense, edge of your seat plot lines while still giving her characters so much depth and vulnerability. Each one learning to heal from their own trauma while navigating the present. They're evolving in their journey together and as individuals and it's just so beautifully done!
Tattletale was a rollercoaster of "I know what's going to happen!" to "no freaking way!" at every corner. The last 1/3 of the book I'm pretty sure my heart didn't stop racing. The storyline was completely captivating!
Getting a peak back into Linc and Eden's world was an added bonus!! I'm already looking forward to the next stop in the PALADIN universe!
THANK YOU, Kay Cove, for the ARC read and for writing magic!
Kay Cove has an incredible way of writing these high suspense, edge of your seat plot lines while still giving her characters so much depth and vulnerability. Each one learning to heal from their own trauma while navigating the present. They're evolving in their journey together and as individuals and it's just so beautifully done!
Tattletale was a rollercoaster of "I know what's going to happen!" to "no freaking way!" at every corner. The last 1/3 of the book I'm pretty sure my heart didn't stop racing. The storyline was completely captivating!
Getting a peak back into Linc and Eden's world was an added bonus!! I'm already looking forward to the next stop in the PALADIN universe!
THANK YOU, Kay Cove, for the ARC read and for writing magic!
September 10, 2024
ARC Review:
Tattletale by Kay Cove is the second book in the Paladin series. I absolutely fell in love with this group of characters in book 1 (Whistleblower) and I am even more obsessed after reading Tattletale. Kay Cove is one of my favorite authors and the Paladin series is becoming my favorite series of hers. The storyline and characters are just chef’s kiss. Tattletale was jam packed with action and plot twists. Kay Cove really knows how to keep me second guessing and on my toes. I absolutely loved Whistleblower but Tattletale blew it out of the water!! I am so excited to see what book 3 will be about.
Cricket is badass and sassy but she has the biggest heart. I loved her character in Whistleblower and was so excited for her story. Learning more about her backstory made me admire her even more. I absolutely love everything about her character. Lance was such a golden retriever. His love and protectiveness for Cricket had me swooning. I love how he is also badass AF but is still so funny and such a sweetheart. The banter between Cricket and Lance had be cackling so much! They were explosive! The chemistry was off the chain. I loved their relationship and think they are perfect for one another. I also love the entire Paladin crew! Linc, Eden, Vesper, and Callen all hold a special place in my heart. I am excited to see what awaits Callen and Vesper in future books ;) The plot of Tattletale was sooooo good! Not only was the romance amazing but the action and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The plot twists were crazy and had me saying “NO F*CKING WAY!” constantly. I HIGHLY recommend the Paladin series to anyone who loves a found family of assassins, romance, and suspense!
Thank you so much @authorkaycove for a ARC of Tattletale!!!! I am such a HUGE fan. I absolutely devoured this book and literally cant wait for book 3 💜
📚 Tattletale is available now for pre-order!
🗓️ This book will be released on September 19th, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
HAPPY READING
Tattletale by Kay Cove is the second book in the Paladin series. I absolutely fell in love with this group of characters in book 1 (Whistleblower) and I am even more obsessed after reading Tattletale. Kay Cove is one of my favorite authors and the Paladin series is becoming my favorite series of hers. The storyline and characters are just chef’s kiss. Tattletale was jam packed with action and plot twists. Kay Cove really knows how to keep me second guessing and on my toes. I absolutely loved Whistleblower but Tattletale blew it out of the water!! I am so excited to see what book 3 will be about.
Cricket is badass and sassy but she has the biggest heart. I loved her character in Whistleblower and was so excited for her story. Learning more about her backstory made me admire her even more. I absolutely love everything about her character. Lance was such a golden retriever. His love and protectiveness for Cricket had me swooning. I love how he is also badass AF but is still so funny and such a sweetheart. The banter between Cricket and Lance had be cackling so much! They were explosive! The chemistry was off the chain. I loved their relationship and think they are perfect for one another. I also love the entire Paladin crew! Linc, Eden, Vesper, and Callen all hold a special place in my heart. I am excited to see what awaits Callen and Vesper in future books ;) The plot of Tattletale was sooooo good! Not only was the romance amazing but the action and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The plot twists were crazy and had me saying “NO F*CKING WAY!” constantly. I HIGHLY recommend the Paladin series to anyone who loves a found family of assassins, romance, and suspense!
Thank you so much @authorkaycove for a ARC of Tattletale!!!! I am such a HUGE fan. I absolutely devoured this book and literally cant wait for book 3 💜
📚 Tattletale is available now for pre-order!
🗓️ This book will be released on September 19th, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
HAPPY READING
September 22, 2024
Tattletale by Kay Cove is Book 2 in the Paladin series and it was so good.
Read if you love:
❤️🔥 Friends-to-enemies-to-lovers
👨👩👧👦 Found family
🔪 Romantic suspense
🏢 Workplace romance
🔥 Possessive MMC
💪 Badass FMC
5 ⭐️ | 3 🌶️
“Give me all the broken pieces, Cricket. I’ll put them together for you,”
OMG! I devoured this book. I loved Whistleblower but craved more of Cricket and Lance’s story, and this did not disappoint. Cricket is strong, resilient, and badass. I love her character. Lance and Cricket have loved each other for years, disguised as friendship, but this time Lance is ready to give her forever. Lance loves Cricket so much that, to save her, he tattled on her. After Lance’s betrayal, Cricket is thrown into a dangerous mission, and when she goes missing, Lance loses it and will stop at nothing to save her.
It was heartwarming to see their relationship evolve, with Cricket setting aside her thirst for revenge and embracing the chance to love and be loved. I also enjoyed seeing the rest of the Paladin family. Lance's humor is hilarious, even though he uses it as a defense mechanism. Their connection has been there since day one, and they truly are perfect for each other.
The spice in this book was amazing—every scene was on point! I loved Cricket’s confidence, and even more, I loved Lance’s filthy mouth. That man was hot! I mean, the cupcake scene? Perfection.
The plot was full of angst, tension, and suspense, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The character growth was fantastic, and it was great to be back in Paladin. That ending? Kay, what am I going to do until Book 3?! I can’t wait for answers!
If you're looking for a romantic suspense series with workplace romance, you need to add the Paladin series to your TBR.
Thank you, Kay, for the advance copy!
Read if you love:
❤️🔥 Friends-to-enemies-to-lovers
👨👩👧👦 Found family
🔪 Romantic suspense
🏢 Workplace romance
🔥 Possessive MMC
💪 Badass FMC
5 ⭐️ | 3 🌶️
“Give me all the broken pieces, Cricket. I’ll put them together for you,”
OMG! I devoured this book. I loved Whistleblower but craved more of Cricket and Lance’s story, and this did not disappoint. Cricket is strong, resilient, and badass. I love her character. Lance and Cricket have loved each other for years, disguised as friendship, but this time Lance is ready to give her forever. Lance loves Cricket so much that, to save her, he tattled on her. After Lance’s betrayal, Cricket is thrown into a dangerous mission, and when she goes missing, Lance loses it and will stop at nothing to save her.
It was heartwarming to see their relationship evolve, with Cricket setting aside her thirst for revenge and embracing the chance to love and be loved. I also enjoyed seeing the rest of the Paladin family. Lance's humor is hilarious, even though he uses it as a defense mechanism. Their connection has been there since day one, and they truly are perfect for each other.
The spice in this book was amazing—every scene was on point! I loved Cricket’s confidence, and even more, I loved Lance’s filthy mouth. That man was hot! I mean, the cupcake scene? Perfection.
The plot was full of angst, tension, and suspense, and I enjoyed every minute of it. The character growth was fantastic, and it was great to be back in Paladin. That ending? Kay, what am I going to do until Book 3?! I can’t wait for answers!
If you're looking for a romantic suspense series with workplace romance, you need to add the Paladin series to your TBR.
Thank you, Kay, for the advance copy!
September 22, 2024
My rating system:
Vibes are for the overall story ⭐️ (out of 5)
Voice is for the writing ⭐️ (out of 5)
V&P (think anatomical parts 😉) is the quantity of spice 🌶️ (out of 5) and the quality of spice 🫠 (out of 5)
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Voice: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
V&P: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ and 🫠🫠🫠🫠
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
I love this series so much because it has a little of everything: assassins, angst, love, sex, mystery, and found family.
So we met Cricket and Lance in the first book and they were both kind of silly, so I wasn't sure if I would be into a book about them, but I had nothing to worry about! I was obsessed with this storyline because there is so much going on! The way Kay was weaving their backstories into their love story, the drama, and the thriller plotline was addicting. While some parts were predictable, the twists and turns still had me questioning if my predictions were right. Overall, it is a great read and a stellar follow-up to
Whistleblower.
While this can technically be read as a standalone, I think it is a better experience having read Whistleblower first.
Vibes are for the overall story ⭐️ (out of 5)
Voice is for the writing ⭐️ (out of 5)
V&P (think anatomical parts 😉) is the quantity of spice 🌶️ (out of 5) and the quality of spice 🫠 (out of 5)
Vibes: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Voice: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
V&P: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ and 🫠🫠🫠🫠
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
I love this series so much because it has a little of everything: assassins, angst, love, sex, mystery, and found family.
So we met Cricket and Lance in the first book and they were both kind of silly, so I wasn't sure if I would be into a book about them, but I had nothing to worry about! I was obsessed with this storyline because there is so much going on! The way Kay was weaving their backstories into their love story, the drama, and the thriller plotline was addicting. While some parts were predictable, the twists and turns still had me questioning if my predictions were right. Overall, it is a great read and a stellar follow-up to
Whistleblower.
While this can technically be read as a standalone, I think it is a better experience having read Whistleblower first.
September 19, 2024
This is the second book in Kay’s Paladin series and it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite series. This immediately had me hooked from page 1 and I couldn’t stop. I have been dying for more of this world since Whistleblower and Kay nailed it.
Lance and Cricket were absolutely perfect for one another. Loved how the evolved their friendship into something more. Lance was a golden retriever to his core and I ate it up the entire time. Loved that once he made a decision to be with her there was no going back for hi.
Cricket…okay I absolutely loved her character arc. She def has been a FMC that I have seen grown the most in a book in a bit. She is a sassy badass and even though at times I was screaming at her bc WTF was she doing (LMAO) I enjoyed every min of her story.
The suspense in this one was soooo good. I kept going back and forth with what was going on bc the storyline kept having me second guess myself and let me tell you I was floored at the end. Well done Kay!!
Thank you Kay and team for an eARC. I am absolutely loving this series and cannot wait for it to continue.
Overall: 5
Spice: 3
Tropes:
- Friends to enemies to lovers
- Romantic Suspense
- Found Family
- Workplace
- Possessive MMC
- Golden Retriever MMC
Lance and Cricket were absolutely perfect for one another. Loved how the evolved their friendship into something more. Lance was a golden retriever to his core and I ate it up the entire time. Loved that once he made a decision to be with her there was no going back for hi.
Cricket…okay I absolutely loved her character arc. She def has been a FMC that I have seen grown the most in a book in a bit. She is a sassy badass and even though at times I was screaming at her bc WTF was she doing (LMAO) I enjoyed every min of her story.
The suspense in this one was soooo good. I kept going back and forth with what was going on bc the storyline kept having me second guess myself and let me tell you I was floored at the end. Well done Kay!!
Thank you Kay and team for an eARC. I am absolutely loving this series and cannot wait for it to continue.
Overall: 5
Spice: 3
Tropes:
- Friends to enemies to lovers
- Romantic Suspense
- Found Family
- Workplace
- Possessive MMC
- Golden Retriever MMC
September 15, 2024
ARC Review: 5⭐️- Tattletale is book 2 in the PALADIN series. Romantic suspense and dark romance.
“Give me all the broken pieces, Cricket. I’ll put them together for you,” he murmurs against my ear. “I’m here to make it okay.”
“I’ll break down every single wall to get to you.”
“There is no shame in crying about what we’ve lost.”
“I will never again take for granted the people who love me wholly.”
💜best friends to lovers
💜found family
💜banter
💜touch her and die
💜badass FMC
💜assassins
💜dual POV
💜3.5🌶️
I love the PALADIN family. I couldn’t wait to dive into Cricket and Lance’s story. I love the quick wit, sass and banter. Found family is one of my favorite tropes, and Kay so beautifully delivers in this series. The ending?! I cannot wait for book 3.
Highly recommend you get your copy on September 19th! Available in paperback and on KU. Check the trigger warnings.
“Give me all the broken pieces, Cricket. I’ll put them together for you,” he murmurs against my ear. “I’m here to make it okay.”
“I’ll break down every single wall to get to you.”
“There is no shame in crying about what we’ve lost.”
“I will never again take for granted the people who love me wholly.”
💜best friends to lovers
💜found family
💜banter
💜touch her and die
💜badass FMC
💜assassins
💜dual POV
💜3.5🌶️
I love the PALADIN family. I couldn’t wait to dive into Cricket and Lance’s story. I love the quick wit, sass and banter. Found family is one of my favorite tropes, and Kay so beautifully delivers in this series. The ending?! I cannot wait for book 3.
Highly recommend you get your copy on September 19th! Available in paperback and on KU. Check the trigger warnings.
July 28, 2025
Ya peki iki suikastçı bir araya gelirse ne olur?! Bu teoriyi test ediyoruz.
Cricket ve Lancelot (tabii bu takma isimleri) Paladin organizasyonunda çalışan iki tetikçi, 9 sene önce ilk eğitimlerine başladıklarında Lance hemen ona çıkma teklif ediyor ama red yiyor. Saçma sapan flörtleri bir gün öpücükle sonuçlanınca her ikisinin de ekseni kayıyor ve olaylar gelişiyor.
Kay Cove 'un okuduğum 2. kitabı ve kesinlikle diğer işlerine de bakacağım. Çok eğlenceliydi, karakterlerin birbirlerine adanmışlığı, enerjileri, vs çok iyiydi, yalnızca beğenmediğim olay örgüsünden dolayı 3 ile uğurluyoruz.
Cricket ve Lancelot (tabii bu takma isimleri) Paladin organizasyonunda çalışan iki tetikçi, 9 sene önce ilk eğitimlerine başladıklarında Lance hemen ona çıkma teklif ediyor ama red yiyor. Saçma sapan flörtleri bir gün öpücükle sonuçlanınca her ikisinin de ekseni kayıyor ve olaylar gelişiyor.
Kay Cove 'un okuduğum 2. kitabı ve kesinlikle diğer işlerine de bakacağım. Çok eğlenceliydi, karakterlerin birbirlerine adanmışlığı, enerjileri, vs çok iyiydi, yalnızca beğenmediğim olay örgüsünden dolayı 3 ile uğurluyoruz.
September 19, 2024
Whew! What a journey!
Lance and Cricket have been best friends for years and share a kiss…which leads to more.
This book starts off pretty hot and heavy and I am here for it. There is quick a bit of tension throughout the book and SO much action but this story played out so dang well.
I loved the banter between the two and their journey to their hea was so worth it!
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Found family
Romantic suspense
Revenge plot
Lance and Cricket have been best friends for years and share a kiss…which leads to more.
This book starts off pretty hot and heavy and I am here for it. There is quick a bit of tension throughout the book and SO much action but this story played out so dang well.
I loved the banter between the two and their journey to their hea was so worth it!
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Found family
Romantic suspense
Revenge plot
October 24, 2024
4.25 ⭐️ Kay Cove can write a damn book! I love Cricket and Lance's story. The addition of the secret society and government secrets was just icing on the cake.
🌶🌶
🌶🌶
February 12, 2025
"I'm never letting you go, know that?"
"Never?"
"Never."
So you're telling me this man has been waiting ten years to confess his feelings? And he didn't wanna do it from the start because he wasn't sure about how she feels Where can i find someone like this?
Cricket, Fiona (I named her stabby tbh) different names but same person. She went through hell before joining PALADIN, and with Lance at her side for ten years she grew stronger. But there was one thing that she never let go of... Revenge.
"I know you remember. Told me what?"
"I told you that we were—"
"Endgame," he finishes for me.
Lance, this man has such a dirty mouth on him, he's so possessive of Cricket and wants to make sure she's safe, even though he knows she can handle herself. But when Cricket's drive for revenge might get her killed will he step in and save her. Or do something that might put a huge gap in their relationship.
While reading this book, it definitely played with my mind, the amount of switching sides I did between evil and good was a lot because at one point I didn't know what the truth was, until the end where everything just unraveled. The suspense and tension really were something.
"Never?"
"Never."
So you're telling me this man has been waiting ten years to confess his feelings? And he didn't wanna do it from the start because he wasn't sure about how she feels Where can i find someone like this?
Cricket, Fiona (I named her stabby tbh) different names but same person. She went through hell before joining PALADIN, and with Lance at her side for ten years she grew stronger. But there was one thing that she never let go of... Revenge.
"I know you remember. Told me what?"
"I told you that we were—"
"Endgame," he finishes for me.
Lance, this man has such a dirty mouth on him, he's so possessive of Cricket and wants to make sure she's safe, even though he knows she can handle herself. But when Cricket's drive for revenge might get her killed will he step in and save her. Or do something that might put a huge gap in their relationship.
While reading this book, it definitely played with my mind, the amount of switching sides I did between evil and good was a lot because at one point I didn't know what the truth was, until the end where everything just unraveled. The suspense and tension really were something.
September 22, 2024
Lance and his Cricket
Both are assassins. Both have their own stories. Both are in love.
When Cricket, also known as Fiona O’Leary gets a clue on where the man that destroyed her life 10 years ago is, she makes a rash decision to take him out.
PALADIN has rules. No personal vendettas. No going alone off grid. They’ll be dire consequences.
Lance knew he had to tattletale on the woman he’s loved for years before she did something that would get her killed.
“Lately, I'm worried about her safety, like I'm suddenly terrified to lose her. I have to bite my tongue because treating Cricket like a damsel in distress is a good way to get a blade pressed against your throat. She's a feral little thing.”
This is a friends to lovers to hate to lovers again story. Epic love and loyalty between two twin flames.
🔫Revenge
🔫Secret Assassins
🔫Found Family
🔫Jealous MMC
🔫Burn the world down for her
🔫Friends to Enemies to Lovers
🔫A Cupcake scene that’s 🔥🔥🔥
Hellbent in her anger, Cricket takes a last mission to spy on someone before getting an offer to quit PALADIN. Still pissed by feeling betrayed by Lance, she’s charmed by this new man she’s to spy on….
I loved this book. It was jam full of action and suspense. A twist at the end. I love seeing our found family come together and seeing new side characters spring to life. I loved the HEA.
“They say forgiveness sets you free... But I don't want freedom. I want revenge.”
Both are assassins. Both have their own stories. Both are in love.
When Cricket, also known as Fiona O’Leary gets a clue on where the man that destroyed her life 10 years ago is, she makes a rash decision to take him out.
PALADIN has rules. No personal vendettas. No going alone off grid. They’ll be dire consequences.
Lance knew he had to tattletale on the woman he’s loved for years before she did something that would get her killed.
“Lately, I'm worried about her safety, like I'm suddenly terrified to lose her. I have to bite my tongue because treating Cricket like a damsel in distress is a good way to get a blade pressed against your throat. She's a feral little thing.”
This is a friends to lovers to hate to lovers again story. Epic love and loyalty between two twin flames.
🔫Revenge
🔫Secret Assassins
🔫Found Family
🔫Jealous MMC
🔫Burn the world down for her
🔫Friends to Enemies to Lovers
🔫A Cupcake scene that’s 🔥🔥🔥
Hellbent in her anger, Cricket takes a last mission to spy on someone before getting an offer to quit PALADIN. Still pissed by feeling betrayed by Lance, she’s charmed by this new man she’s to spy on….
I loved this book. It was jam full of action and suspense. A twist at the end. I love seeing our found family come together and seeing new side characters spring to life. I loved the HEA.
“They say forgiveness sets you free... But I don't want freedom. I want revenge.”
September 23, 2024
Tattletale • By: Kay Cove
ARC Read • No Spoilers • 3.75/5⭐️ • 2/5🌶️
I want to start my thanking Kay Cove for the ARC of Tattletale in exchange for an honest review.
Tattletale is the second book part of the PALADIN series. It follows Lance and Cricket who you do meet in the first book. I don’t want to tell you too much about PALADIN it’s honestly a way better experience going into it blind and learning about it than for me to try to explain it.
It was a good book and as usual Kay’s writing style is amazing and keeps you so invested as the story plays out. I will say though this was a little different from the first book. I loved the vibe that the first book had imagined the second book would be similar. But to me it was a little different. This books played out differently and based on the tropes I guess it makes sense, it’s just that you don’t have a lot about these characters from the first book other than who they are, some of their relationship that is established by those character’s thoughts, and one scene at the end of the first book that would leave you with questions. Personally I think it’s hard to have this particular trope—which from my reading experience I would say is a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers—in just a singular book. This is a trope you see for at the very least a duet because there is a lot more build that makes better sense. It was accomplished in this book and it was good it just kind of took it away from my reading experience to make it great. I also felt like the romance took a backseat to the dynamics of PALADIN in the book too. Which would be okay had I known about that being a bigger piece of the book. Which also took away from it being great to me. It didn’t completely balance out because it all transitioned very quickly and I think I wished I could have had more Lance and Cricket with the two together than what I had. Because from my reading experience I think they were separated more than together in scenes throughout the book, and not from being a couple, I mean actually being in the same place at the same time.
But like it said it was a good book, and just like the Whistleblower bonus epilogue this one was just as amazing or better. It really makes you want to pick up the next book immediately, and I know I will in 2025.
And let me finish out by saying this was my particular reading experience. Everyone has different thoughts and reactions to books. There have been other amazing creators and readers would absolutely loved every second of this book. And I liked it there was just those things that took away from it being great like when I read Whistleblower to being good, but is still a book I highly recommend to check it out because it is very different and I haven’t come across a book like it yet.
Thank you again to Kay Cove for letting me read the ARC and I highly recommend for y’all to go check it out now!
ARC Read • No Spoilers • 3.75/5⭐️ • 2/5🌶️
I want to start my thanking Kay Cove for the ARC of Tattletale in exchange for an honest review.
Tattletale is the second book part of the PALADIN series. It follows Lance and Cricket who you do meet in the first book. I don’t want to tell you too much about PALADIN it’s honestly a way better experience going into it blind and learning about it than for me to try to explain it.
It was a good book and as usual Kay’s writing style is amazing and keeps you so invested as the story plays out. I will say though this was a little different from the first book. I loved the vibe that the first book had imagined the second book would be similar. But to me it was a little different. This books played out differently and based on the tropes I guess it makes sense, it’s just that you don’t have a lot about these characters from the first book other than who they are, some of their relationship that is established by those character’s thoughts, and one scene at the end of the first book that would leave you with questions. Personally I think it’s hard to have this particular trope—which from my reading experience I would say is a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers—in just a singular book. This is a trope you see for at the very least a duet because there is a lot more build that makes better sense. It was accomplished in this book and it was good it just kind of took it away from my reading experience to make it great. I also felt like the romance took a backseat to the dynamics of PALADIN in the book too. Which would be okay had I known about that being a bigger piece of the book. Which also took away from it being great to me. It didn’t completely balance out because it all transitioned very quickly and I think I wished I could have had more Lance and Cricket with the two together than what I had. Because from my reading experience I think they were separated more than together in scenes throughout the book, and not from being a couple, I mean actually being in the same place at the same time.
But like it said it was a good book, and just like the Whistleblower bonus epilogue this one was just as amazing or better. It really makes you want to pick up the next book immediately, and I know I will in 2025.
And let me finish out by saying this was my particular reading experience. Everyone has different thoughts and reactions to books. There have been other amazing creators and readers would absolutely loved every second of this book. And I liked it there was just those things that took away from it being great like when I read Whistleblower to being good, but is still a book I highly recommend to check it out because it is very different and I haven’t come across a book like it yet.
Thank you again to Kay Cove for letting me read the ARC and I highly recommend for y’all to go check it out now!
September 29, 2024
I was so excited for this book because I loved Whistleblower. It was such a fun read and the thriller and romance entwined together in a really smart way.
Tattletale fell just a little flat for me. I wanted more from the characters and the story itself. Most of the story the MCs weren’t together. I mean that both literally and figuratively. They were physically separated and were not “together” despite being engaged in chapter 2. I always struggle with books that are meant to be romances and the couple isn’t together in a significant way. So much of their connection is based off of things that happened in the past, most of which we don’t see or experience. This felt like it would have made for a good second book in Cricket and Lance’s personal story if they had a previous book before this one laying all the groundwork.
Additionally, the main plot could’ve been a bit more developed. As someone who used to exclusively read thrillers, I understood what she was trying to do here. It was a compelling story idea on its face but there was some meat missing, if that makes sense. The twists weren’t all that surprising and very much expected.
I didn’t feel like I had any real skin in the game here. They were going to get together because we know they’re the main couple. But the issue I had was, are we deeply invested? I’m not so sure. It was an enjoyable story but it’s not a rave fave for me, sadly.
Tattletale fell just a little flat for me. I wanted more from the characters and the story itself. Most of the story the MCs weren’t together. I mean that both literally and figuratively. They were physically separated and were not “together” despite being engaged in chapter 2. I always struggle with books that are meant to be romances and the couple isn’t together in a significant way. So much of their connection is based off of things that happened in the past, most of which we don’t see or experience. This felt like it would have made for a good second book in Cricket and Lance’s personal story if they had a previous book before this one laying all the groundwork.
Additionally, the main plot could’ve been a bit more developed. As someone who used to exclusively read thrillers, I understood what she was trying to do here. It was a compelling story idea on its face but there was some meat missing, if that makes sense. The twists weren’t all that surprising and very much expected.
I didn’t feel like I had any real skin in the game here. They were going to get together because we know they’re the main couple. But the issue I had was, are we deeply invested? I’m not so sure. It was an enjoyable story but it’s not a rave fave for me, sadly.
October 11, 2024
3.75⭐️
It hurts my soul to be writing this review. Kay Cove is one of my faves. I have loved everything she has written until this book :( It just lacked in some areas that I couldn’t ignore. For starters, I felt like although we got a taste of Lance and Cricket in Whistleblower, we didn’t get enough for them to be madly in love in the first 15% of the book. I would have loved a little bit more background and build up before they were committing to marriage and saying they loved each other. The plot itself was good, but I felt like it could have moved at a slightly healthier pace. I enjoyed the ending and I think it set up the third book really well.
Will this book deter me from reading more of Kay Cove? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! I think reading a book of hers and not loving it just reassures me that Kay is human. Although I like to think she is this supernatural creature who creates stories of perfection and banter, this book was a healthy reminder that not everything she writes will be my new favorite book.
With that being said, I still love and admire Kay deeply. I will continue to read everything she writes and I will still recommend her to anyone who will listen.
It hurts my soul to be writing this review. Kay Cove is one of my faves. I have loved everything she has written until this book :( It just lacked in some areas that I couldn’t ignore. For starters, I felt like although we got a taste of Lance and Cricket in Whistleblower, we didn’t get enough for them to be madly in love in the first 15% of the book. I would have loved a little bit more background and build up before they were committing to marriage and saying they loved each other. The plot itself was good, but I felt like it could have moved at a slightly healthier pace. I enjoyed the ending and I think it set up the third book really well.
Will this book deter me from reading more of Kay Cove? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! I think reading a book of hers and not loving it just reassures me that Kay is human. Although I like to think she is this supernatural creature who creates stories of perfection and banter, this book was a healthy reminder that not everything she writes will be my new favorite book.
With that being said, I still love and admire Kay deeply. I will continue to read everything she writes and I will still recommend her to anyone who will listen.
September 19, 2024
5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Tropes:
🖤friends to enemies to lovers
💜secret group of assassins
🖤romantic suspense
💜workplace romance
🖤possessive MMC
💜badass fmc
🖤Dual pov
💜found family
Tattletale by Kay Cove is Book 2 in the Paladin Series. It can absolutely be read as a standalone, but definitely recommend reading Whistleblower due to understanding and character development and overlap. This is Cricket and Lances story. And this story was so good.
Cricket is this feisty, and bad azz assassin for Paladin. One day, Lance kisses Cricket realizing he’s had feelings for her for a while now. They finally decide to both go for it…but Lance backstabs her… or did he?
Lance, is also a bad azz in his own right. He was this giant assassin, but when it came to Cricket he was over the top in love, but so possessive and protective of her. He would stop at nothing to keep her safe. Even if it means she needs to see him as the enemy. What Cricket sees as backstabbing is really something all together different.
I absolutely loved Cricket and Lances relationship they had amazing chemistry, when they truly came together there wasn’t just sparks, there was a damn inferno. One thing i always love in a book is some good bantering, which this book definitely had in spades. This book also had a lot of spicey moments to balance out that banter.
This story had a lot of on the edge of your seat kinda moments, all the twists and turns and added suspense just added to this story. This was a book that saw the characters be willing to open themselves up to love and be loved.
We also get the added bonus of the entire Paladin crew of Linc, Eden, Vesper, and Callen all making appearances throughout the book. Callens storyline is up next and i can’t wait to see what that brings us.
Thank you to Kay for letting me be a part of your team.
Tropes:
🖤friends to enemies to lovers
💜secret group of assassins
🖤romantic suspense
💜workplace romance
🖤possessive MMC
💜badass fmc
🖤Dual pov
💜found family
Tattletale by Kay Cove is Book 2 in the Paladin Series. It can absolutely be read as a standalone, but definitely recommend reading Whistleblower due to understanding and character development and overlap. This is Cricket and Lances story. And this story was so good.
Cricket is this feisty, and bad azz assassin for Paladin. One day, Lance kisses Cricket realizing he’s had feelings for her for a while now. They finally decide to both go for it…but Lance backstabs her… or did he?
Lance, is also a bad azz in his own right. He was this giant assassin, but when it came to Cricket he was over the top in love, but so possessive and protective of her. He would stop at nothing to keep her safe. Even if it means she needs to see him as the enemy. What Cricket sees as backstabbing is really something all together different.
I absolutely loved Cricket and Lances relationship they had amazing chemistry, when they truly came together there wasn’t just sparks, there was a damn inferno. One thing i always love in a book is some good bantering, which this book definitely had in spades. This book also had a lot of spicey moments to balance out that banter.
This story had a lot of on the edge of your seat kinda moments, all the twists and turns and added suspense just added to this story. This was a book that saw the characters be willing to open themselves up to love and be loved.
We also get the added bonus of the entire Paladin crew of Linc, Eden, Vesper, and Callen all making appearances throughout the book. Callens storyline is up next and i can’t wait to see what that brings us.
Thank you to Kay for letting me be a part of your team.
September 21, 2024
4.5⭐️
Strongly recommend everyone read whistleblower before this. Even though it’s a standalone, the interconnection and relationship building that happens in whistleblower is too important to skip over.
Cricket and Lance are so fun. I love friends to lovers (even though it’s rarely done well), and their banter and relationship building is filled with chemistry.
The plot was actually incredibly well paced, and when I tell you I was sweating thinking Gabriel would be the other man and this would turn into some bullshit love triangle; I WAS SWEATING. But, also, I’ve read way too much dark romance if I think a genuine psycho like Gabriel is misunderstood and I want a HEA for him lol.
Only really lost points because Lance is a dummy who couldn’t recognise Sylvie was Saorsha (or whatever the fuck the Gaelic name is where I have to train my brain to remember it’s pronounced Seersha and therefore can’t dedicate brain space to the spelling).
Strongly recommend everyone read whistleblower before this. Even though it’s a standalone, the interconnection and relationship building that happens in whistleblower is too important to skip over.
Cricket and Lance are so fun. I love friends to lovers (even though it’s rarely done well), and their banter and relationship building is filled with chemistry.
The plot was actually incredibly well paced, and when I tell you I was sweating thinking Gabriel would be the other man and this would turn into some bullshit love triangle; I WAS SWEATING. But, also, I’ve read way too much dark romance if I think a genuine psycho like Gabriel is misunderstood and I want a HEA for him lol.
Only really lost points because Lance is a dummy who couldn’t recognise Sylvie was Saorsha (or whatever the fuck the Gaelic name is where I have to train my brain to remember it’s pronounced Seersha and therefore can’t dedicate brain space to the spelling).
September 24, 2024
Kay has done it again!! Another 5 star read 🤌🏼💋
I’ve been DYING for Cricket and Lance’s story since their kiss in book one🤭 They have off the charts chemistry and I couldn’t put the book down! The banter and her sass are top tier🤌🏼
I honestly believe this book is best gone into blind so I don’t want to give too much away. Just know the found family in this book is one of my favs I’ve ever read. I mean what bonds a group of people more than being secret assassins together?! 😆🤫
read if you like:
💜revenge
💜secret assassins
💜found family
💜jealous MMC
💜burn the world down for her
💜friends to enemies to lovers
This is book two in the Paladin Series and if you enjoy some suspense & dark elements to your romance, you will LOVE this! I definitely recommend starting with book one, Whistleblower, before diving into this one but it’s not technically required.
5⭐️ | 2.5/5🌶️
I’ve been DYING for Cricket and Lance’s story since their kiss in book one🤭 They have off the charts chemistry and I couldn’t put the book down! The banter and her sass are top tier🤌🏼
I honestly believe this book is best gone into blind so I don’t want to give too much away. Just know the found family in this book is one of my favs I’ve ever read. I mean what bonds a group of people more than being secret assassins together?! 😆🤫
read if you like:
💜revenge
💜secret assassins
💜found family
💜jealous MMC
💜burn the world down for her
💜friends to enemies to lovers
This is book two in the Paladin Series and if you enjoy some suspense & dark elements to your romance, you will LOVE this! I definitely recommend starting with book one, Whistleblower, before diving into this one but it’s not technically required.
5⭐️ | 2.5/5🌶️
October 1, 2024
Did I love this book? Yes! I truly was roped in from the beginning and could not wait for Lance and Cricket’s story after reading Whistleblower.
Lance and Cricket are both assassins for Paladin, a secret agency that used to be merged with FBI but now operates on its own. They are absolute best friends, soul mates, meant to be. Lance has a reputation of being a playboy but is ready to prove to Cricket that the only one he wants is her. Cricket is also a BAD. ASS. I love reading about women that will just absolutely destroy men. They are the best.
I will say I felt like this book was rushed OR tried to fit in more than it should have with only a little over 300 pages. Did this beat out Whistleblower for me? No, that’s hard to do, BUT, I still recommend this series and still really enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait for Snitch to come out 😍
Lance and Cricket are both assassins for Paladin, a secret agency that used to be merged with FBI but now operates on its own. They are absolute best friends, soul mates, meant to be. Lance has a reputation of being a playboy but is ready to prove to Cricket that the only one he wants is her. Cricket is also a BAD. ASS. I love reading about women that will just absolutely destroy men. They are the best.
I will say I felt like this book was rushed OR tried to fit in more than it should have with only a little over 300 pages. Did this beat out Whistleblower for me? No, that’s hard to do, BUT, I still recommend this series and still really enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait for Snitch to come out 😍
September 18, 2024
My first book by Kay Cove was Whistleblower and I knew from the beginning the Paladin series was going to be a hit. We already got some tension in the first book between Lance and Cricket and I couldn’t wait to dive into their world. I love how the book was more surrounded by cricket than Lance, not that there is Lancelot lacking haha I just like how the books are female driven, if that makes sense.
This book from the start draws you in with the story that is unfolding and I love her little snippets where she explains things without explaining, you’ll see.
Their story is raw, real and rough but it’s worth it. I had guessed on a couple things and ended up being wrong and that shocks me.
Overall the spice is 5 star, the plot is 5 star and I can’t wait to see where this series ends.
Eden, Linc, Cricket, Lancelot and Vesper all have my heart, Callen is still questionable hahaha
This book from the start draws you in with the story that is unfolding and I love her little snippets where she explains things without explaining, you’ll see.
Their story is raw, real and rough but it’s worth it. I had guessed on a couple things and ended up being wrong and that shocks me.
Overall the spice is 5 star, the plot is 5 star and I can’t wait to see where this series ends.
Eden, Linc, Cricket, Lancelot and Vesper all have my heart, Callen is still questionable hahaha
September 11, 2024
“That’s what happens when you meet your twin flame.
Only one of you needs a tiny spark for you both to catch fire.”
Could not put this book down.
After reading Whistleblower, the first int he PALADIN series, I knew that Cricket and Lance’s story was going to be epic.
After Cricket kisses Lance one day, he starts to finally realize he’s ready for the love of his life.
After the two finally make plans to move forward in their relationship, Lance does the unforgivable to Cricket, he becomes a tattletale.
This story is about finally opening up to the love of your life and how precious it really is in the grand scheme of things.
And who doesn’t love the story of two assassins who fall in love?
Only one of you needs a tiny spark for you both to catch fire.”
Could not put this book down.
After reading Whistleblower, the first int he PALADIN series, I knew that Cricket and Lance’s story was going to be epic.
After Cricket kisses Lance one day, he starts to finally realize he’s ready for the love of his life.
After the two finally make plans to move forward in their relationship, Lance does the unforgivable to Cricket, he becomes a tattletale.
This story is about finally opening up to the love of your life and how precious it really is in the grand scheme of things.
And who doesn’t love the story of two assassins who fall in love?
September 14, 2024
Kay never disappoints!!! I loved this book so much!!! I loved whistle blower and I think I loved this one even more!
I love cricket and Lancelot so much!! Seeing their journey of friendship, lovers, enemies and back to lovers. 😍😍😍 such an intense journey and a rollercoaster. They make a great team and know each other better than anyone else.
I just love the whole crew from Paladin. They make a great overall team and family. They are all that each other have. And seeing how Vesper between both books brought them all together and was much more than just a boss, she was like a mother holding her family together. Can’t wait to see the future this series holds for us!
I love cricket and Lancelot so much!! Seeing their journey of friendship, lovers, enemies and back to lovers. 😍😍😍 such an intense journey and a rollercoaster. They make a great team and know each other better than anyone else.
I just love the whole crew from Paladin. They make a great overall team and family. They are all that each other have. And seeing how Vesper between both books brought them all together and was much more than just a boss, she was like a mother holding her family together. Can’t wait to see the future this series holds for us!
November 19, 2024
loved this!!!!
Omg!!!
I truly feel that the Paladin series is not getting the recognition it deserves. It has a little bit of something for everyone. It's very spicy, but there's also action, mystery, plot twists, past trauma, strong female characters and romance. The first book, whistleblower was good. But I kinda felt like it was centered more around the spice rather than the plot. So much so that the side characters imo outshined the main characters. I fell in love with lance and cricket and I knew I would read the second book. It was so good. I couldn't put it down! What a great story. I cannot wait for the next book.
Omg!!!
I truly feel that the Paladin series is not getting the recognition it deserves. It has a little bit of something for everyone. It's very spicy, but there's also action, mystery, plot twists, past trauma, strong female characters and romance. The first book, whistleblower was good. But I kinda felt like it was centered more around the spice rather than the plot. So much so that the side characters imo outshined the main characters. I fell in love with lance and cricket and I knew I would read the second book. It was so good. I couldn't put it down! What a great story. I cannot wait for the next book.
September 23, 2024
ꍏ��ꏳ ꋪꏂ꒦ꀤꏂꅐ
4 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝘛𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘺 𝘒𝘢𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘷𝘦
𝘛𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦, the second book in the 𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡 series and from the prologue this book had me hooked.
Cricket's past 💔
Lance and Cricket's journey to their happiness was filled with a whole lot of chemistry, spicy as hell moments, betrayal, suspense and twists and turns that just keep you guessing. 𝖠𝗇𝖽 𝖺 𝗐𝗁𝗈𝗅𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗈𝗇 𝖾𝖽𝗀𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾.
Can't wait for the next book in this series.
...I did figure out the identity of someone introduced in the first chapter and honestly would have loved a lot more of that reunion.
....Eden, I still don't like this character 🙈
4 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝘛𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘺 𝘒𝘢𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘷𝘦
𝘛𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦, the second book in the 𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗡 series and from the prologue this book had me hooked.
Cricket's past 💔
Lance and Cricket's journey to their happiness was filled with a whole lot of chemistry, spicy as hell moments, betrayal, suspense and twists and turns that just keep you guessing. 𝖠𝗇𝖽 𝖺 𝗐𝗁𝗈𝗅𝖾 𝗅𝗈𝗍 𝗈𝖿 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝗍𝗁𝖺𝗍 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗈𝗇 𝖾𝖽𝗀𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾.
Can't wait for the next book in this series.
...I did figure out the identity of someone introduced in the first chapter and honestly would have loved a lot more of that reunion.
....Eden, I still don't like this character 🙈
September 28, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
2 🌶️
0 💧
I am really enjoying this series, it's a fun, easy read, with a mystery to solve with each book.
I loved Cricket and Lance together, seeing them go from fun best friends to it's always been you, and fight to come back to each other through betrayal and heart ache, was so heartwarming. I also enjoyed all the angst with their temporary separation.
I guessed a few of the twists, so it wasn't super surprising, and I wish we could have seen the reunion at the end a little earlier but I guess this is setting up for future books. Looking forward to it!
2 🌶️
0 💧
I am really enjoying this series, it's a fun, easy read, with a mystery to solve with each book.
I loved Cricket and Lance together, seeing them go from fun best friends to it's always been you, and fight to come back to each other through betrayal and heart ache, was so heartwarming. I also enjoyed all the angst with their temporary separation.
I guessed a few of the twists, so it wasn't super surprising, and I wish we could have seen the reunion at the end a little earlier but I guess this is setting up for future books. Looking forward to it!
February 24, 2025
LOVE LOVE LOVE
This series is amazing I can’t wait for the 3rd book that I don’t see a pre-order for, but I hope it’s available soon. The only thing that’s bugging me is that I have signed up twice now for the bonus logs for both this book and whistleblower and nothing has come to my email inbox. Hopefully that could be fixed.
This series is amazing I can’t wait for the 3rd book that I don’t see a pre-order for, but I hope it’s available soon. The only thing that’s bugging me is that I have signed up twice now for the bonus logs for both this book and whistleblower and nothing has come to my email inbox. Hopefully that could be fixed.
September 17, 2024
Tattletale was an adorable spin off of Whistleblower with a friends to lovers storyline and a sprinkle of enemies to lovers.
The Paladin series is steamy version of the show Burn Notice kinda ;)
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Thriller Romance, friends to lovers, Stong FMC, golden retriever MC
The Paladin series is steamy version of the show Burn Notice kinda ;)
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Tropes: Thriller Romance, friends to lovers, Stong FMC, golden retriever MC
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