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The Hand and the Heart #2
The Thief and the Traitor Bride
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26A ruthless spy. A deadly mission. A thief who could ruin it all.
The Thief and the Traitor Bride is a standalone romantic fantasy set in the world of the Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling novel The Second Death of Locke.
Nore Gordon is a woman of many talents: she can speak a variety of languages, disguise herself in plain sight, and has made a name for herself as a successful wine merchant. But unbeknownst to those closest to her, it is all a front for Nore's true role as the favoured spy of the Lindle crown.
Tasked with infiltrating enemy lands in search of a powerful relic, Nore is forced to engage the services of a great thief. Unfortunately, the only person for the job is her estranged husband Caspian. Both Nore and Caspian bear the scars of the disastrous end of their marriage, but if they are to survive their deadly new assignment, they must pose as a happily married couple to avoid detection.
As danger closes in, Nore finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit-and though Caspian is at the centre of it all, she may not hate him as much as she once did. But Caspian has betrayed her before, and trust can be far more deadly than deception.
The Thief and the Traitor Bride is a standalone romantic fantasy set in the world of the Sunday Times and USA Today bestselling novel The Second Death of Locke.
Nore Gordon is a woman of many talents: she can speak a variety of languages, disguise herself in plain sight, and has made a name for herself as a successful wine merchant. But unbeknownst to those closest to her, it is all a front for Nore's true role as the favoured spy of the Lindle crown.
Tasked with infiltrating enemy lands in search of a powerful relic, Nore is forced to engage the services of a great thief. Unfortunately, the only person for the job is her estranged husband Caspian. Both Nore and Caspian bear the scars of the disastrous end of their marriage, but if they are to survive their deadly new assignment, they must pose as a happily married couple to avoid detection.
As danger closes in, Nore finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit-and though Caspian is at the centre of it all, she may not hate him as much as she once did. But Caspian has betrayed her before, and trust can be far more deadly than deception.
Unknown Binding
Expected publication September 29, 2026
3 people are currently reading
4495 people want to read
About the author
V.L. Bovalino
3 books553 followersV.L. Bovalino is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and now lives in the UK. She loves obscure academic facts, folklore, and oversized sweaters. Find her on online as @toribovalino.
She also writes books for young adults as Tori Bovalino.
She also writes books for young adults as Tori Bovalino.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Want to read
December 12, 2025We come to this place… for yearning. We come to the hand and the heart series to laugh, to cry, to care.
July 22, 2025
The way this will skip to the front of my TBR as soon as I get my hands on it
Want to read
October 22, 2025I went to a book event and she confirmed it’s coming in September 2026 and the fmc is a spy 👀 also can I just say what a lovely person she is???
About to scream. It’s confirmed that it’s in the same world but features new main characters, I need it 😭 the mc are nore and caspian
About to scream. It’s confirmed that it’s in the same world but features new main characters, I need it 😭 the mc are nore and caspian
Want to read
December 12, 2025i’m seated. the bookstore employees are scared and asking me to leave because it’s “not september yet” but i’m simply too seated.
Want to read
December 11, 2025WE HAVE A TITLE!!!!!
I hope this fills the void that The Second Death of Locke has left me with :' )
I hope this fills the void that The Second Death of Locke has left me with :' )
Want to read
December 12, 2025Locke wasnt as good as I had hoped, but THIS sounds incredible !!
Want to read
October 29, 2025i'm so excited for THE HAND AND THE HEART book two!!! ⚔️
𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗩. 𝗟. 𝗕𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗼'𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 & 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 -
→ the MMC is named Caspian and the FMC is named Nore
→ ❝“no one knows we’re married and we’re not even really together anymore but now we have to interact” might be my favorite second chance romance microtrope❞ second chance romance and secret relationship might be a trope
→ ❝If ebeneezer scrooge was a hot, bitter spy with a hot, evil ex❞ so maybe spy romance?
𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗩. 𝗟. 𝗕𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗼'𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 & 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 -
→ the MMC is named Caspian and the FMC is named Nore
→ ❝“no one knows we’re married and we’re not even really together anymore but now we have to interact” might be my favorite second chance romance microtrope❞ second chance romance and secret relationship might be a trope
→ ❝If ebeneezer scrooge was a hot, bitter spy with a hot, evil ex❞ so maybe spy romance?
Want to read
December 13, 2025i didn’t realize this was a standalone and while i gave the first book 3 stars, i do still want to read this one to see if there’s an improvement
Want to read
January 1, 2026i am shit-pantsingly excited for this book to come out
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews