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Halcyon Division #3
Loyalty
Intelligence analyst Lexie Martin is important. At least that’s what she’s been told by the director of Halcyon Division, the secret organization she works for. Problem is—Lexie doesn’t feel important. She feels…devastated. Struggling to equilibrate after the unexpected implosion of her personal life, and reeling from her failed assignment overseas, Lexie’s barely treading water.
When Halcyon tells Lexie she’s the only person on Earth who can figure out the password to an important file, she realizes the new task is exactly what she needs. And after reconnecting with her girlfriend, Sophia, Lexie thinks she’s finally back on track. But as she tries to unlock Halcyon’s file, Lexie realizes things aren’t what they seem. And when secrets and betrayals are finally exposed, she’s stunned to realize who the enemy really is.
Loyalty is the exhilarating third installment of E. J. Noyes’s best-selling Halcyon Division Series.
When Halcyon tells Lexie she’s the only person on Earth who can figure out the password to an important file, she realizes the new task is exactly what she needs. And after reconnecting with her girlfriend, Sophia, Lexie thinks she’s finally back on track. But as she tries to unlock Halcyon’s file, Lexie realizes things aren’t what they seem. And when secrets and betrayals are finally exposed, she’s stunned to realize who the enemy really is.
Loyalty is the exhilarating third installment of E. J. Noyes’s best-selling Halcyon Division Series.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2024
12 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
E.J. Noyes
19 books1,977 followersE. J. Noyes is an Australian transplanted to New Zealand, which may be the awesomest thing to happen to her. She lives in the South Island with her wife and the world’s best and neediest cat, and is enjoying the change of temperature from her hot, humid homeland.
An avid but mediocre gamer, E. J. lives for skiing (which she is also mediocre at), enjoys arguing with her hair, pretending to be good at things, and working the fact she’s a best-selling and award-winning author into casual conversation.
If you want (very) sporadic emails about what E. J. is doing, you can sign up for the E. J. Noyesletter at: https://ejnoyesauthor.com/
An avid but mediocre gamer, E. J. lives for skiing (which she is also mediocre at), enjoys arguing with her hair, pretending to be good at things, and working the fact she’s a best-selling and award-winning author into casual conversation.
If you want (very) sporadic emails about what E. J. is doing, you can sign up for the E. J. Noyesletter at: https://ejnoyesauthor.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 4, 2025
3.5 stars!
This book #3 did drag on for a few chapters -- slowly developed plotline but did have this climatic and dramatic twist, closer to the ending. As to their (Alexandra & Sophia) relationship, i have nothing to give -- kinda off-kilter...
This book #3 did drag on for a few chapters -- slowly developed plotline but did have this climatic and dramatic twist, closer to the ending. As to their (Alexandra & Sophia) relationship, i have nothing to give -- kinda off-kilter...
May 12, 2024
4.5⭐️
I waited with great anticipation for the third book in the Halycon Division series. And E.J. Noyes has once again delivered. The third installment has a slightly slower pace than the first two, but it was no less exciting.
Lexie, the CIA intelligence analyst, is still recovering from her last overseas assignment and suffering from a broken heart. What will happen when she sees Sophia again? Is it possible to repair the relationship? At least her latest assignment is back at home. She has to find the password for a super important thumb drive by hook or by crook. But a few incidents and the behavior of a certain person make her a little nervous and suspicious, or is she just paranoid? Together with Jeffrey, she tries to get to the bottom of it all. What she discovers is very surprising.
I love the combination of an espionage, thriller, or crime story paired with a love story. The romantic in me gets her fill and the second strand of the story provides suspense and adventure. This is also the case here when Sophia and Lexie get closer again to find out which path their relationship should take. I liked how they were open with each other and communicated their doubts, secrets, and feelings. It's also fascinating, if maybe a little lengthy, how Jeffrey and Lexie work together and how they approach the task of figuring out the password. What Lexie finds out about her father is both depressing and positive. But all this and the uneasy feeling that creeps up on her are messing with her head. The tension increases more and more until things get really action-packed again at the end.
It is an exciting, entertaining, sometimes action-packed series about CIA intelligence analyst Lexie. Absolutely worth reading. This series must be read in the correct order.
Thanks to Bella Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
I waited with great anticipation for the third book in the Halycon Division series. And E.J. Noyes has once again delivered. The third installment has a slightly slower pace than the first two, but it was no less exciting.
Lexie, the CIA intelligence analyst, is still recovering from her last overseas assignment and suffering from a broken heart. What will happen when she sees Sophia again? Is it possible to repair the relationship? At least her latest assignment is back at home. She has to find the password for a super important thumb drive by hook or by crook. But a few incidents and the behavior of a certain person make her a little nervous and suspicious, or is she just paranoid? Together with Jeffrey, she tries to get to the bottom of it all. What she discovers is very surprising.
I love the combination of an espionage, thriller, or crime story paired with a love story. The romantic in me gets her fill and the second strand of the story provides suspense and adventure. This is also the case here when Sophia and Lexie get closer again to find out which path their relationship should take. I liked how they were open with each other and communicated their doubts, secrets, and feelings. It's also fascinating, if maybe a little lengthy, how Jeffrey and Lexie work together and how they approach the task of figuring out the password. What Lexie finds out about her father is both depressing and positive. But all this and the uneasy feeling that creeps up on her are messing with her head. The tension increases more and more until things get really action-packed again at the end.
It is an exciting, entertaining, sometimes action-packed series about CIA intelligence analyst Lexie. Absolutely worth reading. This series must be read in the correct order.
Thanks to Bella Books and NetGalley for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
June 10, 2024
Lexie’s life blew apart during her latest overseas assignment. Literally and figuratively. Sophia, her girlfriend, dumped her and her assignment was an epic fail. Back home again, Lexie has been told she is the only one capable of breaking a password code. Without anything else to distract her, Lexie dives deep into her new assignment.
Loyalty is everything and more than what I anticipated after the climatic ending in Leverage. Noyes ties up some loose ends brilliantly. This is not to say the series ends here. Noyes has hinted of more Lexie in the future.
I received an advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Loyalty is everything and more than what I anticipated after the climatic ending in Leverage. Noyes ties up some loose ends brilliantly. This is not to say the series ends here. Noyes has hinted of more Lexie in the future.
I received an advance review copy from Bella Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 29, 2024
EJ Noyes brings home this (apparently) trilogy with aplomb. The three entries read smoothly together as one story, and so you will definitely need to read books 1 and 2 in order to get the most out of three, although there is a page or two synopsis of the story so far. But if you’re tempted by this, then you are surely tempted by book 1!
It’s hard to say which of the three books I enjoyed more, since, as I mention above, they read seamlessly as one whole story. Book 3 thus picks up where book 2 left off, with Lexie discovering the surprising identity of one of her bosses. This time Lexie’s new mission is set in her offices in the US, after her recent posting abroad, and this allows us to enjoy how she and Sophia begin to repair and perhaps rekindle their relationship.
The Halcyon Division series is full of romance and relationship development between the leads that definitely pays off throughout the series and is full of neatly constructed organic development; however, much of the page time is given over to the suspense and thriller elements of the overall story, and this is very much the case throughout book 3 as it is for books 1 and 2. Fear not, romance lovers, as I’m sure you’ll be as hooked as I was into the analyst/spy arc. Ms. Noyes keeps the arc fairly simple, although that doesn’t mean you will guess what comes next, which means you can enjoy this element of the series without it feeling too taxing. And that’s why I suspect, along with the very well-constructed romance element, this will appeal greatly to romance lovers that love a good plot weaved into the romantic elements.
Indeed, I’m sure fans of the author will be as pleased with this as with Ms. Noyes’s other books. If you’re looking for romance with an engaging plot interlaced, then all three books of the Halcyon Division are likely to appeal.
A highly recommended five-star read, not only for this book 3 but also for the trilogy.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I really enjoyed the series.
It’s hard to say which of the three books I enjoyed more, since, as I mention above, they read seamlessly as one whole story. Book 3 thus picks up where book 2 left off, with Lexie discovering the surprising identity of one of her bosses. This time Lexie’s new mission is set in her offices in the US, after her recent posting abroad, and this allows us to enjoy how she and Sophia begin to repair and perhaps rekindle their relationship.
The Halcyon Division series is full of romance and relationship development between the leads that definitely pays off throughout the series and is full of neatly constructed organic development; however, much of the page time is given over to the suspense and thriller elements of the overall story, and this is very much the case throughout book 3 as it is for books 1 and 2. Fear not, romance lovers, as I’m sure you’ll be as hooked as I was into the analyst/spy arc. Ms. Noyes keeps the arc fairly simple, although that doesn’t mean you will guess what comes next, which means you can enjoy this element of the series without it feeling too taxing. And that’s why I suspect, along with the very well-constructed romance element, this will appeal greatly to romance lovers that love a good plot weaved into the romantic elements.
Indeed, I’m sure fans of the author will be as pleased with this as with Ms. Noyes’s other books. If you’re looking for romance with an engaging plot interlaced, then all three books of the Halcyon Division are likely to appeal.
A highly recommended five-star read, not only for this book 3 but also for the trilogy.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I really enjoyed the series.
May 5, 2024
4.25⭐️
In this final book of the Integrity series, Noyes gives a good spy story. I’ve always enjoyed espionage books so mixing in a romantic sapphic angle upped the pleasure for me.
Lexie Martin is an intelligence officer working for the CIA and a secret spin off agency as well. Her boss in both organizations is Lennon who has known her since birth. Lennon and her dad were best friends back in their early days of working together at the agency. Her parents died two years ago in a plane crash. Lennon puts her on a top secret assignment to find the pass code to her father’s documents. Lexie requests her pall Jeffery from book two to help her unravel the code.
We also have Lexie’s ex girlfriend, Sophia, back and they attempt a reconciliation. Sophia is struggling with all of Lexie’s secretiveness and lies.
I liked the espionage and mysteries in this series the best. I would have liked more character development of Sophia and her point of view. And I felt that the feelings and emotions that lead up to their relationship were not detailed enough.
Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. Recommended
In this final book of the Integrity series, Noyes gives a good spy story. I’ve always enjoyed espionage books so mixing in a romantic sapphic angle upped the pleasure for me.
Lexie Martin is an intelligence officer working for the CIA and a secret spin off agency as well. Her boss in both organizations is Lennon who has known her since birth. Lennon and her dad were best friends back in their early days of working together at the agency. Her parents died two years ago in a plane crash. Lennon puts her on a top secret assignment to find the pass code to her father’s documents. Lexie requests her pall Jeffery from book two to help her unravel the code.
We also have Lexie’s ex girlfriend, Sophia, back and they attempt a reconciliation. Sophia is struggling with all of Lexie’s secretiveness and lies.
I liked the espionage and mysteries in this series the best. I would have liked more character development of Sophia and her point of view. And I felt that the feelings and emotions that lead up to their relationship were not detailed enough.
Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book. Recommended
April 29, 2024
Third part and end of a truly entertaining and exciting series. Now with the perspective of having read the three books, which, warning, should not be read individually but in succession and in their proper order, I have to say that the first one was extraordinary and the other two, although they have been very interesting, have not reached the level of said first.
On this occasion, Alexandra and Sophia have a lot of interaction again, something that I missed in the second book, But in a more serene and formal way, without the vitality and spontaneity that they demonstrated in the first book. The hidden plot has been quite evident from the very beginning, although you never know where the threads of power are going to pull. But the truth is that in some parts I expected a surprise that did not come.
The trilogy as a whole is worthy of attention, so without hesitation I recommend that you tackle it.
Publisher Bella Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for an honest review
On this occasion, Alexandra and Sophia have a lot of interaction again, something that I missed in the second book, But in a more serene and formal way, without the vitality and spontaneity that they demonstrated in the first book. The hidden plot has been quite evident from the very beginning, although you never know where the threads of power are going to pull. But the truth is that in some parts I expected a surprise that did not come.
The trilogy as a whole is worthy of attention, so without hesitation I recommend that you tackle it.
Publisher Bella Books was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reading copy via Netgalley for an honest review
June 8, 2024
EJ Noyes is a fucking genius. She has to be to come up with the mysteries in these books and unveil how Lexie unraveled them.
Lexie is one of EJ's best characters. Brilliant, caring, dedicated and hilarious, her story arc was entertaining to follow. I LOVED the Sophia character too and had to hold my breath the whole time with her, always wondering if she was what she seemed.
For me, the book (and series as a whole) was extremely strong but the ending was not altogether satisfying. A little predictable, a little head scratching. Good, but not as great as the whole.
I'm a ginormous EJ Noyes fan and will always read anything she writes. Will always recommend them
Lexie is one of EJ's best characters. Brilliant, caring, dedicated and hilarious, her story arc was entertaining to follow. I LOVED the Sophia character too and had to hold my breath the whole time with her, always wondering if she was what she seemed.
For me, the book (and series as a whole) was extremely strong but the ending was not altogether satisfying. A little predictable, a little head scratching. Good, but not as great as the whole.
I'm a ginormous EJ Noyes fan and will always read anything she writes. Will always recommend them
August 2, 2024
Excellent ending to this series. The ending packs a wallop. Well done E.J. Noyes
July 18, 2024
Loyalty by EJ Noyes is a spy thriller centred around Lexie, a 'brilliant' intelligence analyst determined to save her country from a perilous Russian plot. While Noyes is one of my favourite authors, I found myself frustrated with this story. The first-person POV often felt limiting, trapping me in Lexie's perspective—a character who bordered on being self-absorbed and glib. Her unwavering patriotism and lack of critical examination of her own country's actions made it difficult for me to fully engage with this story.
The side characters add depth but also highlight the story's flaws. Sophie, in particular, feels underdeveloped and too accepting of Lexie's motives, exhibiting an unrealistic level of hero worship. Her unquestioning support, despite the dangers and moral ambiguities of Lexie's job, do not ring true to me. It just leaves me completely confused by their romance and her character.
The pacing of the book was uneven, with the most engaging parts appearing towards the end. While the plot had moments of intrigue and excitement, the overall execution left me ambivalent about the series. Despite these frustrations, Noyes's ability to craft compelling narratives keeps me hopeful for future works.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
The side characters add depth but also highlight the story's flaws. Sophie, in particular, feels underdeveloped and too accepting of Lexie's motives, exhibiting an unrealistic level of hero worship. Her unquestioning support, despite the dangers and moral ambiguities of Lexie's job, do not ring true to me. It just leaves me completely confused by their romance and her character.
The pacing of the book was uneven, with the most engaging parts appearing towards the end. While the plot had moments of intrigue and excitement, the overall execution left me ambivalent about the series. Despite these frustrations, Noyes's ability to craft compelling narratives keeps me hopeful for future works.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
May 16, 2024
This is the third book in the Halcyon series and you absolutely must read the previous two before starting this one. It’s basically all one very long story. I re-read the previous two before diving head first into this one. You don’t necessarily need to re-read because Noyes is kind (and smart) enough to start each new instalment with a nice recap. I wish more authors would do that for a series. It doesn’t take away from the story as it is absolutely in line with how the story is told and it definitely increases reading pleasure.
Obviously with it being a third book I can’t say much about the story itself without spoilers. I love Lexie’s dry wit and her passion for her job. I think I did get a little tired from reading about how much she loves her country more than anything and does everything for the good of the people. There is no mistaken where here loyalties lie.
All in all I’d say this is another strong one by Noyes, might be the favourite of this series, so far. And I do hope it’s so far because we could go on many more adventure with Lexie and all the fun secondary characters
Obviously with it being a third book I can’t say much about the story itself without spoilers. I love Lexie’s dry wit and her passion for her job. I think I did get a little tired from reading about how much she loves her country more than anything and does everything for the good of the people. There is no mistaken where here loyalties lie.
All in all I’d say this is another strong one by Noyes, might be the favourite of this series, so far. And I do hope it’s so far because we could go on many more adventure with Lexie and all the fun secondary characters
August 27, 2024
I had a lot of fun with the final installment of this trilogy. EJ Noyes is not always a perfect hit for me, but I have enjoyed far more of her books than not, and this trilogy is up there in the had a lot of fun with them camp. Some of the disconnect for me with her novels is that I don’t usually prefer first person narration, and for romances, I highly prefer to have POVs from all parties involved. Here, that was the case. From book one till this one, I really wanted to get into Sofia’s head, and I felt like the development with her could have benefited from giving us that glimpse, but I know that’s more often than not EJ Noyes’ style—she seems to enjoy picking an mc and sticking with it.
For all three novels, I listened on audio, and as always, I loved Abby Craden’s performance. Lexie was a little hard to have as a pov character on audio, bc it was occasionally hard to tell what things she was saying aloud, and what was internal narration, since she has a lot of it and it’s sarcastic as hell in her brain. I loved her, don’t get me wrong, just something to make note of if you go the audio route.
Overall, this was a fun conclusion to the spy/espionage trilogy, and I love how often EJ Noyes changes up the plots surrounding her romance stories. It’s def worth a read, and this is a fun conclusion to wrap things up.
For all three novels, I listened on audio, and as always, I loved Abby Craden’s performance. Lexie was a little hard to have as a pov character on audio, bc it was occasionally hard to tell what things she was saying aloud, and what was internal narration, since she has a lot of it and it’s sarcastic as hell in her brain. I loved her, don’t get me wrong, just something to make note of if you go the audio route.
Overall, this was a fun conclusion to the spy/espionage trilogy, and I love how often EJ Noyes changes up the plots surrounding her romance stories. It’s def worth a read, and this is a fun conclusion to wrap things up.
May 21, 2024
It’s safe to say that Lexi Martin is my sapphic character crush. Since first picking up Integrity, I have found her to be witty, clever, and authentic, and knowing that E.J. Noyes is at the end of her trilogy with loyalty, is bittersweet. Sure, Lexi and Sophia deserve their happily ever after, but I’m not sure I am ready to let them go.
Loyalty see’s Lexie finding out why she is so important to Halcyon. So, while beginning a new task, one she hopes will help settle her life to some extent, she also wants to fix things with Sophia. The love between the two women hasn’t dissipated, and talking out their concerns and expectations strengthens their bond.
At the same time, Lexie must solve the riddle she has been presented with and not get herself killed in the process.
Loyalty rounds out a spectacular trilogy, and E.J. Noyes couldn’t have ended things more perfectly. Keeping the pace fast and thrilling, Noyes also steps up the heat with the rekindling of the relationship between Lexi and Sophia. With writing this original and addictive, I already know I will be re-reading/listening to this series in the near future. Make sure you don’t miss this unforgettable ending to The Halcyon Division Series.
I received an ARC from Bella Books via NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.
Loyalty see’s Lexie finding out why she is so important to Halcyon. So, while beginning a new task, one she hopes will help settle her life to some extent, she also wants to fix things with Sophia. The love between the two women hasn’t dissipated, and talking out their concerns and expectations strengthens their bond.
At the same time, Lexie must solve the riddle she has been presented with and not get herself killed in the process.
Loyalty rounds out a spectacular trilogy, and E.J. Noyes couldn’t have ended things more perfectly. Keeping the pace fast and thrilling, Noyes also steps up the heat with the rekindling of the relationship between Lexi and Sophia. With writing this original and addictive, I already know I will be re-reading/listening to this series in the near future. Make sure you don’t miss this unforgettable ending to The Halcyon Division Series.
I received an ARC from Bella Books via NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.
May 16, 2024
The final installment of not-a-spy Dr. Lexie Martin’s story. This book cannot be read as a standalone and you shouldn’t want to anyway. The whole Halcyon series is awesome! This end (but hopefully it’s not) to the story is everything you could want.
I received an advance copy from Netgalley for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Super data analyst to the secret service, Lexie Martin finally knows why she is deemed so important by her superiors. Her father who died three years ago, wasn’t just a diplomat. No, he was an actual spy. His life’s work is compiled unto a secure hard drive and somehow Lexie’s boss is convinced she is the only one that can crack the code. Feeling she has some leverage she asks for Jeffrey Burton to help her with this new job. Lexie and Jeffrey spent six months living in close quarters in the midst of a terrorist zone and he eventually saved her life. The guy has earned her trust. That cannot be said of her boss, Lennon.
When Lexie runs into Sophia at a cafe the hurt of their break up soars. She is still very much in love with Sophia and agrees to get together to talk. What Lexie learns then is that her boss is the reason Sophia broke up with her out of the blue while she was shipped away on a nonsensical assignment. And it might not even be the worst she discovers about the guy she has trusted for 15 years.
The world of state secrets and international enemies is really intriguing. Like the first two Halcyon-books, this one is page turner. E.J. Noyes knows how to create a world that is riddled with mysteries and it’s very satisfying to watch it unfold. Who can you trust when the future of the country rests, once again, on your shoulders?
Lexie is almost a different person to when we first met her in book one. All the events that occurred have shaped her into an even stronger woman. Where she was first solely focused on her job, Lexie has now realized that her personal happiness is just as important and even makes her better at her job. That happiness is closely tied to the love of her life, Sophia. After book two I was heartbroken for them, so I was very happy to see their story continued. Lexie is determined to make their relationship work and that includes telling Sophia more about her work, within limits of course. The result is a deeper connection than they had before.
The characters in Lexie’s professional life are all familiar from the other books. I loved seeing Lexie and Jeffrey work close together again. Their relationship reminds me of siblings: there is hilarious ribbing and witty banter, but underneath lies a foundation of immense trust. Jeffrey supports Lexie’s drive to make her relationship with Sophia work. He enfolds them in his personal life as well, just like a big brother would do. As for the other people in Lexie’s professional life, let’s just say there will be a rude awakening.
Loyalty is the perfect end to the Halcyon trilogy. But! A little birdy was heard singing on social media, about this maybe not being the final installment after all. I, for one, would wholeheartedly agree we need more and more about Lexie and Sophia. Wouldn’t it be fun if they could, knowingly, save the world together? A girl can dream! 😉
I received an advance copy from Netgalley for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Super data analyst to the secret service, Lexie Martin finally knows why she is deemed so important by her superiors. Her father who died three years ago, wasn’t just a diplomat. No, he was an actual spy. His life’s work is compiled unto a secure hard drive and somehow Lexie’s boss is convinced she is the only one that can crack the code. Feeling she has some leverage she asks for Jeffrey Burton to help her with this new job. Lexie and Jeffrey spent six months living in close quarters in the midst of a terrorist zone and he eventually saved her life. The guy has earned her trust. That cannot be said of her boss, Lennon.
When Lexie runs into Sophia at a cafe the hurt of their break up soars. She is still very much in love with Sophia and agrees to get together to talk. What Lexie learns then is that her boss is the reason Sophia broke up with her out of the blue while she was shipped away on a nonsensical assignment. And it might not even be the worst she discovers about the guy she has trusted for 15 years.
The world of state secrets and international enemies is really intriguing. Like the first two Halcyon-books, this one is page turner. E.J. Noyes knows how to create a world that is riddled with mysteries and it’s very satisfying to watch it unfold. Who can you trust when the future of the country rests, once again, on your shoulders?
Lexie is almost a different person to when we first met her in book one. All the events that occurred have shaped her into an even stronger woman. Where she was first solely focused on her job, Lexie has now realized that her personal happiness is just as important and even makes her better at her job. That happiness is closely tied to the love of her life, Sophia. After book two I was heartbroken for them, so I was very happy to see their story continued. Lexie is determined to make their relationship work and that includes telling Sophia more about her work, within limits of course. The result is a deeper connection than they had before.
The characters in Lexie’s professional life are all familiar from the other books. I loved seeing Lexie and Jeffrey work close together again. Their relationship reminds me of siblings: there is hilarious ribbing and witty banter, but underneath lies a foundation of immense trust. Jeffrey supports Lexie’s drive to make her relationship with Sophia work. He enfolds them in his personal life as well, just like a big brother would do. As for the other people in Lexie’s professional life, let’s just say there will be a rude awakening.
Loyalty is the perfect end to the Halcyon trilogy. But! A little birdy was heard singing on social media, about this maybe not being the final installment after all. I, for one, would wholeheartedly agree we need more and more about Lexie and Sophia. Wouldn’t it be fun if they could, knowingly, save the world together? A girl can dream! 😉
May 6, 2024
I was very happy to have the opportunity to finish this series, and the third installment started with a bang. It ended with a bang too, but it was just the middle that fell a little flat. All I could think throughout the entire book was “Girl, you need to find a new job!” This was probably my least favorite of the series. The whole plot seemed a little disjointed. The romantic line was lackluster, but that’s ok, this book was more about the action. Except there wasn’t much action here either. It was much more cerebral than in the previous books. I think the idea was to wrap up the story in a nice little bow, but it seemed forced as if the story line took the path of the most resistance. I’m being a little harsh, because in all honesty, I enjoyed the book, I just had super high hopes. The entire series is excellent and I would defined read again and recommend. I would actually love to see the series carry on.
April 22, 2024
To say I’ve been waiting for this book since the last word of Leverage would be an understatement. I realized what completely draws me into E.J. Noyes’s books, the personalization and wit. I knew her books stood out as some of my all-time favorites, but reading Loyalty the lightbulb finally went off. The way she inserted these little sidebars with Lexie’s internal conversations and her speaking to the reader added that extra something to the story and has you feeling that much more connected to it. I was dreading the closer I got to 100% because I loved this series and Lexie’s character so much. Really hoping this isn’t the end of her story (and her story with Sophia).
Thank you to the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2024
This book went beyond my expectations. I reviewed it for The Lesbian Review. It’s utterly fabulous and I couldn’t love it more. I’m sad this series is over, I’ve adored spending time with Lexie. E. J. Noyes hit it out the park with this one.
June 22, 2024
4.5 Stars
I almost got stomach ulcers from the anxiety reading this one. Almost. I think book 3 is my favourite out of all the Halcyon books just because it ties up all the ??? from the previous books and it answers all niggling doubts. The pace of the story was excellent. Thrilling and nauseating for my weak sensibilities but I love it. The author finally wraps up the personal and professional sides of Lexie. The relationships she’s built is so precious. It was a good run. I would also love to have an offshore account for when I retire. Instead I just get a superannuation that’s most likely going to dry up under a year of my retirement.
I almost got stomach ulcers from the anxiety reading this one. Almost. I think book 3 is my favourite out of all the Halcyon books just because it ties up all the ??? from the previous books and it answers all niggling doubts. The pace of the story was excellent. Thrilling and nauseating for my weak sensibilities but I love it. The author finally wraps up the personal and professional sides of Lexie. The relationships she’s built is so precious. It was a good run. I would also love to have an offshore account for when I retire. Instead I just get a superannuation that’s most likely going to dry up under a year of my retirement.
November 16, 2024
I absolutely loved the Halcyon Division series, and Loyalty was the perfect conclusion. This book delivered the perfect mix of romance, suspense, and high-stakes action that kept me hooked from start to finish. Lexie’s journey continues to be both emotional and thrilling, and I couldn’t get enough of the tension and drama as the story unfolded.
The romance between Lexie and Sophia is as captivating as ever, and the suspenseful plot twists had me on the edge of my seat. There were moments of heartbreak, excitement, and intense revelations, and I loved every second of it.
Abby Craden has been the perfect narrator for this series, and she continues to do a fantastic job bringing Lexie, Sophia, and the entire world of Halcyon to life. Her narration adds so much depth and emotion to the characters, making the audiobook experience just as gripping as the written version.
Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a thrilling, romantic suspense series with great character development and an outstanding performance from the narrator!
Audiobook review:
Abby Craden did a fantastic job narrating Loyalty (and the entire Halcyon Division series). She truly brings the characters to life, capturing the emotions and suspense in each scene. Her pacing is perfect, and I especially appreciated how she voiced Lexie and Sophia - each character had their own distinct voice, making it easy to follow the story. If you're a fan of audiobooks, I highly recommend this series!
The romance between Lexie and Sophia is as captivating as ever, and the suspenseful plot twists had me on the edge of my seat. There were moments of heartbreak, excitement, and intense revelations, and I loved every second of it.
Abby Craden has been the perfect narrator for this series, and she continues to do a fantastic job bringing Lexie, Sophia, and the entire world of Halcyon to life. Her narration adds so much depth and emotion to the characters, making the audiobook experience just as gripping as the written version.
Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a thrilling, romantic suspense series with great character development and an outstanding performance from the narrator!
Audiobook review:
Abby Craden did a fantastic job narrating Loyalty (and the entire Halcyon Division series). She truly brings the characters to life, capturing the emotions and suspense in each scene. Her pacing is perfect, and I especially appreciated how she voiced Lexie and Sophia - each character had their own distinct voice, making it easy to follow the story. If you're a fan of audiobooks, I highly recommend this series!
May 23, 2024
What a great ending to this series. I recomend you read books 1& 2 ( Leverage & Integrity ) first if you haven't. This follows Dr. Lexie Martin and her girlfriend Sophia Flores through their reconciliation and mystery that Lexie is trying to solve. Lexie-not a spy gets involved with a puzzle her father left that her boss wants her to solve. This is a page turning, fun read! The whole series is 5 stars!
May 22, 2024
Audio Version.
It's all great, characters, world building, tension, story, and awesome narration. Great ending to an excellent series.
It's all great, characters, world building, tension, story, and awesome narration. Great ending to an excellent series.
May 2, 2025
Although the pace of this one felt slower than the first two books in this series it was just as enjoyable mixing the intelligence story once again with the romance.
After the failure of her work mission in book 2 Lexi is given a top secret mission that only she can solve, a mission that requires her to look into her father’s past. She is also heartbroken after the breakdown of her relationship and is hoping a reconciliation might be on the cards!
This whole series has been intriguing and I have flew through it this book no exception, although the pace was slower with this one it really picked up at the end and I was hooked, I really hope there is going to be a book 4!
After the failure of her work mission in book 2 Lexi is given a top secret mission that only she can solve, a mission that requires her to look into her father’s past. She is also heartbroken after the breakdown of her relationship and is hoping a reconciliation might be on the cards!
This whole series has been intriguing and I have flew through it this book no exception, although the pace was slower with this one it really picked up at the end and I was hooked, I really hope there is going to be a book 4!
August 2, 2024
One word.... EPIC
April 23, 2024
The allure of a romantic thriller series lies in its ability to seamlessly blend heart-pounding, thrilling suspense with a captivating love story. E. J. Noyes has easily proven she knows how to do this; her Halcyon Division Series has shown itself to be a solid-gold winner. Books one and two were met with high praise, leaving readers wanting more each time. Book three, Loyalty, with its well-mapped, intricate storyline and heart-stopping, high-stakes action, looks destined to be a home-run hit too.
Noyes is a master storyteller. She understands that the core of a successful romantic thriller must encompass a gripping and charged plot, one filled with surprising twists and turns. While every book in the Halcyon Division Series offers readers suspense and thrills, Loyalty is unexpected and top-shelf in every way. It never lets off the accelerator. As readers eagerly turn the pages to uncover clues and insights, they are led to some very surprising and jaw-dropping revelations. With her talent shining brightly on every page, Noyes gives her readers some A+ dramatic and tense moments, all leading to the ultimate climax. This is Tom Clancy-James Bond stuff and should not be missed.
This series is all about complex relationships. Noyes’ exploration of these relationships is layered, dynamic, and sometimes unsettling, but it adds an overall depth that’s beyond compelling. This, combined with the romance between Lexie and Sophia, provides the storytelling with a sense of danger, creating a real emotional rollercoaster for readers. Furthermore, the dynamics between all of Noyes’ characters are multifaceted, making the narrative ripe for character growth. As readers follow their journey—especially Lexie and Sophia’s—they develop a sense of attachment and connection to them. And because Noyes’ character arcs are so well-developed, readers cannot help but become emotionally invested. They root for their success, even amidst the challenge and chaos.
Even though this story is fast-paced, it’s well-balanced. That’s essential for any romantic thriller. Noyes understands this and offers readers a mix of fast-paced action with slower, more intimate moments. It works to achieve two things: 1) It gives readers a moment to digest everything that is happening in the story, and 2) It helps to deepen the romance between Lexie and Sophia. However, these slower scenes never disrupt the story’s underlying tension. Noyes is careful to craft the pacing in such a way that it ensures reader engagement. She strikes the right balance between heart-pumping action and steamy romance, tightly hooking readers into a vibrant story world.
Final remarks…
Loyalty, the latest installment in the Halcyon Division Series, is just another shining example of Noyes’ storytelling prowess. Her exhilarating narrative simply solidifies her place as a master writer and queen of sapphic romantic thrillers. However, to fully appreciate Loyalty, one must read the whole series; there is no way around it. Each book contributes to the overall narrative arc and works to build Loyalty’s climactic moment. With its intricate, surprising plot twists and well-developed, complex characters, this book is guaranteed to blow readers’ minds. They will eagerly devour each page as the rollercoaster ride of danger and romance culminates in a big finish.
Strengths…
Engaging storyline
Captivating characters
Balanced pacing
Strong, appealing romance
Captivating story world
Nice wrap up to a fantastic series
Noyes is a master storyteller. She understands that the core of a successful romantic thriller must encompass a gripping and charged plot, one filled with surprising twists and turns. While every book in the Halcyon Division Series offers readers suspense and thrills, Loyalty is unexpected and top-shelf in every way. It never lets off the accelerator. As readers eagerly turn the pages to uncover clues and insights, they are led to some very surprising and jaw-dropping revelations. With her talent shining brightly on every page, Noyes gives her readers some A+ dramatic and tense moments, all leading to the ultimate climax. This is Tom Clancy-James Bond stuff and should not be missed.
This series is all about complex relationships. Noyes’ exploration of these relationships is layered, dynamic, and sometimes unsettling, but it adds an overall depth that’s beyond compelling. This, combined with the romance between Lexie and Sophia, provides the storytelling with a sense of danger, creating a real emotional rollercoaster for readers. Furthermore, the dynamics between all of Noyes’ characters are multifaceted, making the narrative ripe for character growth. As readers follow their journey—especially Lexie and Sophia’s—they develop a sense of attachment and connection to them. And because Noyes’ character arcs are so well-developed, readers cannot help but become emotionally invested. They root for their success, even amidst the challenge and chaos.
Even though this story is fast-paced, it’s well-balanced. That’s essential for any romantic thriller. Noyes understands this and offers readers a mix of fast-paced action with slower, more intimate moments. It works to achieve two things: 1) It gives readers a moment to digest everything that is happening in the story, and 2) It helps to deepen the romance between Lexie and Sophia. However, these slower scenes never disrupt the story’s underlying tension. Noyes is careful to craft the pacing in such a way that it ensures reader engagement. She strikes the right balance between heart-pumping action and steamy romance, tightly hooking readers into a vibrant story world.
Final remarks…
Loyalty, the latest installment in the Halcyon Division Series, is just another shining example of Noyes’ storytelling prowess. Her exhilarating narrative simply solidifies her place as a master writer and queen of sapphic romantic thrillers. However, to fully appreciate Loyalty, one must read the whole series; there is no way around it. Each book contributes to the overall narrative arc and works to build Loyalty’s climactic moment. With its intricate, surprising plot twists and well-developed, complex characters, this book is guaranteed to blow readers’ minds. They will eagerly devour each page as the rollercoaster ride of danger and romance culminates in a big finish.
Strengths…
Engaging storyline
Captivating characters
Balanced pacing
Strong, appealing romance
Captivating story world
Nice wrap up to a fantastic series
April 28, 2024
We all know that EJ Noyes is a gifted writer, with a back catalog of nothing but five-star books. Now we also know that she is also a brilliant tactician. I can't even imagine the giant white board covered with sticky notes used to develop the plot and the deciphering of clues in Loyalty.
The third installment in the Halcyon Division series was worth waiting for and then some. Lexie and Sophia reconciled, we spent more time with Jeffrey, Derek, and Lennon, and got to meet Jeffrey's wife Dominique. The project that Lexie and Jeffrey were working on was fascinating at every turn.
I tried, I really tried, to savor this book in sections to make it last longer. And then in typical Noyes fashion, "something happened" and I had to finish in one sitting. Wow. Cue the book hangover. Next up, read the whole series again.
The third installment in the Halcyon Division series was worth waiting for and then some. Lexie and Sophia reconciled, we spent more time with Jeffrey, Derek, and Lennon, and got to meet Jeffrey's wife Dominique. The project that Lexie and Jeffrey were working on was fascinating at every turn.
I tried, I really tried, to savor this book in sections to make it last longer. And then in typical Noyes fashion, "something happened" and I had to finish in one sitting. Wow. Cue the book hangover. Next up, read the whole series again.
November 3, 2024
I thought book 2 was stressful enough... queue book 3.
Don't get me wrong - I loved the book - it's a great read, and the series as a whole is such a fun ride, and an easy recommendation. But the twists and turns, and the stress - yeah. There's a lot of it. In a good way, of course.
Lexie is great, as always, and I love her inner monologue. She really does bring the book to life, and is the star of the show. The supporting cast is great, of course - Jeff really has grown on me and is a great addition, and Sophia is perfect for Lexie - once they work through their issues. The growth and healing here is great to read, the mystery and suspense very well done, and it has a very satisfying conclusion. Very well done, highly enjoyed, and if the characters ever return, it'll be an instant read.
Don't get me wrong - I loved the book - it's a great read, and the series as a whole is such a fun ride, and an easy recommendation. But the twists and turns, and the stress - yeah. There's a lot of it. In a good way, of course.
Lexie is great, as always, and I love her inner monologue. She really does bring the book to life, and is the star of the show. The supporting cast is great, of course - Jeff really has grown on me and is a great addition, and Sophia is perfect for Lexie - once they work through their issues. The growth and healing here is great to read, the mystery and suspense very well done, and it has a very satisfying conclusion. Very well done, highly enjoyed, and if the characters ever return, it'll be an instant read.
July 9, 2024
Wow, amazing!
I did not want this novel to end. It was very put together. For it to be fiction, it was well researched, and I loved how the story was able to come full circle.
I did not want this novel to end. It was very put together. For it to be fiction, it was well researched, and I loved how the story was able to come full circle.
April 21, 2024
As I read this, the one word that continually remained in my mind was BRILLIANT. This book far surpassed my expectations. I constantly wondered how in the world Noyes managed to create this very complicated, complex, tension-filled, dramatic, romantic novel. I follow the author on Twitter(X) and can recall times when she moaned and groaned her frustrations. Now I understand. As followers, all we can do is cheer her brilliance on.
Loyalty was the third and final book in the Halycon Division series. In the previous book, Leverage, Sophia broke off the relationship with Lexie, leaving her devastated and searching for answers. Now we got to experience how things were resolved. This is a HEA, after all! It wasn’t easy and I won’t give anything away because I want readers to enjoy how and why I am a happy reader!
Lexi’s main task in this book was to decipher a code to find the password to a hard drive. It’s a complex situation, but made more tense by the pressure on her and the threats of danger. I’ve already used the word brilliant, but am adding genius because that’s what was needed to put all the pieces together. I don’t know how she did it but she did and I loved this book. It’s definitely the best in the series and deserving of accolades and awards. Carry on, E.J. Noyes you F-ing did it!!
Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for the arc and allowing me to shout my praises!
Loyalty was the third and final book in the Halycon Division series. In the previous book, Leverage, Sophia broke off the relationship with Lexie, leaving her devastated and searching for answers. Now we got to experience how things were resolved. This is a HEA, after all! It wasn’t easy and I won’t give anything away because I want readers to enjoy how and why I am a happy reader!
Lexi’s main task in this book was to decipher a code to find the password to a hard drive. It’s a complex situation, but made more tense by the pressure on her and the threats of danger. I’ve already used the word brilliant, but am adding genius because that’s what was needed to put all the pieces together. I don’t know how she did it but she did and I loved this book. It’s definitely the best in the series and deserving of accolades and awards. Carry on, E.J. Noyes you F-ing did it!!
Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for the arc and allowing me to shout my praises!
May 25, 2024
Much like E.J. began each installment of this series with some snarky version of "Yep, it's fiction" to either pacify wingnuts or to justify the numerous factual errors, my review begins with my usual placative "Two stars means 'Okay', according to Goodreads" even if two out of five stars in any other setting is supposed to mean "It's not good", essentially, a "D". That said, the five-star praise heaped on this book is embarrassing. Are they shills or just mindlessly supportive without a concern for trying to improve the quality of the writing and the genre as a whole?
A problem looming over the first two books, Integrity and Leverage, is that Lexie Martin is irrelevant to the (non-romantic) plot. This troubles more stories than you might think. For example, if Indiana Jones had never traveled around the world to find the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the story would have ended the same way. One could make the argument that Indy made it worse by finding the Ark rather than saving the day. Pretty much the same goes for Integrity. Lexie stumbles on some intelligence, but the entire Florida adventure was irrelevant. Halcyon could have (and would have, we later learn) taken the same actions.
In Leverage, instead of stopping some massive terrorist plot, the supposed excellent analyst, is surprised when her ex-lover (a more interesting character than either MC) blows herself up, nearly killing Lexie too. If Lexie had never been there? The ex-lover would have blown herself up and killed people--or maybe the CIA could have stopped her because Lexie wasn't in the way working out her personal issues.
In this third book, Loyalty, Lexie's actions finally (sort of) matter! Even if it is a bit of a slog. She spends many pages with the characters lamenting how mind-numbing their research process is. Imagine having to read about that process. However, at least in this book, the crucial events happen or are altered because of Lexie's actions.
Unfortunately, this book--this entire series--seems to have been written on the fly. This suggests EJ is a "pantser" as opposed to a "plotter" as an author. That is, she writes by the seat of her pants instead of outlining. This style, especially in more standard romances or rom-coms, can work well and can lend a story a natural feel, with organic character growth. However, in a spy-thriller, particularly for someone who hasn't written spy-thrillers--like EJ, the little details matter and plotting is essential.
Example: It is revealed in this book that her father called her "Little Mouse" (and you'll get tired of hearing that totally unnatural endearment that bears no relation to Lexie) and other details like a gift of a watch and a books from him. If this had been revealed in the first book, or over the course of the first two, it would have been a nice little pay off. Instead, it is info-dumped here making it obvious how essential it is but giving the readers no clue and no chance to figure out what it means. That her father loved the French language and that the ultimate clue comes from a memory she never shared with the reader before, comes across as a cheat--or information that EJ herself didn't know until it came to her while writing the chapter.
Relatedly, this series is marked by irrelevant details and missed opportunities. Readers of Leverage will remember that Lexie found a note, an ISBN, in her coat pocket, that basically proved that Sophia had been forced to break up with her. Regardless of how random and unlikely it was for Sophia to think such a ploy would work; Lexie does figure it out. So, in this book, Lexie does nothing with that information. She doesn't contact Sophia in any way. Why? Because apparently none of it mattered. Sophia approaches her. Hugs her in public. Eventually declares she didn't care about the danger anymore. Best of all, she's right. There are no consequences.
The password protected encrypted files on the hard drive? Setting aside the notion that her boss, Lennon, wanted her to figure out the password without having the drive to test her guesses on, if there had been a limited number of guesses before the data was wiped, it would have been a tension building "ticking clock". However, Lexie has an infinite number of guesses and, despite Lennon's insistence that time was of the essence, she appears to have all the time in the world--and the reader gets to plod through all of it with them.
Lexie Martin isn't only largely irrelevant; she isn't good at her job. Oh, we are told she is the best, but her actions and her thoughts suggest otherwise. She is part of an agency that is so secret, most people in the government itself don't know it exists.
1. Yet, she gets upset when her boss (it doesn't matter how bad he is, he's right) isn't happy that she wants to tell her girlfriend of only a few months about it (essentially) and
2. gets upset again when he refuses to bring in her girlfriend to help work on a top-secret project without being properly vetted. She admits later it was a silly idea, but we got to waste several pages doing it anyway.
3. Her primary source of information, as an intelligence analyst with infinite resources, is from Google and Wikipedia. Why? Presumably because that is what EJ is limited to.
4. She is in a job that works extensively with computers. Yet, she isn't, by her own admission "good with computers."
5. She has doctorate (in poli-sci/international relations, though there is never any indication nor reason that she would have this degree, nor that she was capable of attaining it) but she has not read many classics of literature, many of which are required reading in high school. Moreover, she thinks no one has read them.
6. Despite being in the intelligence business, she needs to google how to create a difficult password.
7. Lexie is told the information is top-secret and it is of utmost urgency. So, her first instinct is to want to share as much of that information as possible with three non-Agency employees. Then, instead of starting immediately, she decides to rearrange furniture and get started after the weekend. THEN, she leaves work early EVERY day when her brain gets tired.
8. She tells Sophia (and gets angry with her) because "I said I would protect you and your family wasn't in any danger" despite knowing the nature of Halcyon and its enemies and the fact that Sophia's father had been nearly deported already and she made that promise before she had been exiled by the President (who wanted her dead) to a country half-way around the globe with limited contact. All of this should have told her that Sophia and her family could easily be in danger but (see missed opportunities).
The problems aren't all with Lexie. Sophia gets to be pretty stupid too, as witnessed by her moving from terrified to apathy regarding the threat to her and her parents. In the climax, when Lexie hints to her that she needs to get help, Sophia exits and does exactly what Lexie wanted. In fact, it is revealed that help was already on the way. Everyone is aware of how dangerous the situation is. So, Sophia goes back inside and reacts like "Whu---" like a deer in the headlights when she sees what is happening. The consequence of this? Sophia gets to leave again. That's all.
Even the Big Bad gets to be stupid. EJ tries to justify it by having him say "it was about control", but if the drive had just been destroyed and Sophia not been harassed in book 2, the incompetent Lexie would have been a perfectly willing tool. She wouldn't have wasted a moment's thought on her dead parents. She wouldn't have had the opportunity to look at the information at all. So, while Lexie's actions (in breaking the code) mattered, it was only enabled by the bad guy literally handing her information and justifications to do it.
I could go on, but I've already put more thought into it than EJ did to the plot.
A problem looming over the first two books, Integrity and Leverage, is that Lexie Martin is irrelevant to the (non-romantic) plot. This troubles more stories than you might think. For example, if Indiana Jones had never traveled around the world to find the Ark of the Covenant in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the story would have ended the same way. One could make the argument that Indy made it worse by finding the Ark rather than saving the day. Pretty much the same goes for Integrity. Lexie stumbles on some intelligence, but the entire Florida adventure was irrelevant. Halcyon could have (and would have, we later learn) taken the same actions.
In Leverage, instead of stopping some massive terrorist plot, the supposed excellent analyst, is surprised when her ex-lover (a more interesting character than either MC) blows herself up, nearly killing Lexie too. If Lexie had never been there? The ex-lover would have blown herself up and killed people--or maybe the CIA could have stopped her because Lexie wasn't in the way working out her personal issues.
In this third book, Loyalty, Lexie's actions finally (sort of) matter! Even if it is a bit of a slog. She spends many pages with the characters lamenting how mind-numbing their research process is. Imagine having to read about that process. However, at least in this book, the crucial events happen or are altered because of Lexie's actions.
Unfortunately, this book--this entire series--seems to have been written on the fly. This suggests EJ is a "pantser" as opposed to a "plotter" as an author. That is, she writes by the seat of her pants instead of outlining. This style, especially in more standard romances or rom-coms, can work well and can lend a story a natural feel, with organic character growth. However, in a spy-thriller, particularly for someone who hasn't written spy-thrillers--like EJ, the little details matter and plotting is essential.
Example: It is revealed in this book that her father called her "Little Mouse" (and you'll get tired of hearing that totally unnatural endearment that bears no relation to Lexie) and other details like a gift of a watch and a books from him. If this had been revealed in the first book, or over the course of the first two, it would have been a nice little pay off. Instead, it is info-dumped here making it obvious how essential it is but giving the readers no clue and no chance to figure out what it means. That her father loved the French language and that the ultimate clue comes from a memory she never shared with the reader before, comes across as a cheat--or information that EJ herself didn't know until it came to her while writing the chapter.
Relatedly, this series is marked by irrelevant details and missed opportunities. Readers of Leverage will remember that Lexie found a note, an ISBN, in her coat pocket, that basically proved that Sophia had been forced to break up with her. Regardless of how random and unlikely it was for Sophia to think such a ploy would work; Lexie does figure it out. So, in this book, Lexie does nothing with that information. She doesn't contact Sophia in any way. Why? Because apparently none of it mattered. Sophia approaches her. Hugs her in public. Eventually declares she didn't care about the danger anymore. Best of all, she's right. There are no consequences.
The password protected encrypted files on the hard drive? Setting aside the notion that her boss, Lennon, wanted her to figure out the password without having the drive to test her guesses on, if there had been a limited number of guesses before the data was wiped, it would have been a tension building "ticking clock". However, Lexie has an infinite number of guesses and, despite Lennon's insistence that time was of the essence, she appears to have all the time in the world--and the reader gets to plod through all of it with them.
Lexie Martin isn't only largely irrelevant; she isn't good at her job. Oh, we are told she is the best, but her actions and her thoughts suggest otherwise. She is part of an agency that is so secret, most people in the government itself don't know it exists.
1. Yet, she gets upset when her boss (it doesn't matter how bad he is, he's right) isn't happy that she wants to tell her girlfriend of only a few months about it (essentially) and
2. gets upset again when he refuses to bring in her girlfriend to help work on a top-secret project without being properly vetted. She admits later it was a silly idea, but we got to waste several pages doing it anyway.
3. Her primary source of information, as an intelligence analyst with infinite resources, is from Google and Wikipedia. Why? Presumably because that is what EJ is limited to.
4. She is in a job that works extensively with computers. Yet, she isn't, by her own admission "good with computers."
5. She has doctorate (in poli-sci/international relations, though there is never any indication nor reason that she would have this degree, nor that she was capable of attaining it) but she has not read many classics of literature, many of which are required reading in high school. Moreover, she thinks no one has read them.
6. Despite being in the intelligence business, she needs to google how to create a difficult password.
7. Lexie is told the information is top-secret and it is of utmost urgency. So, her first instinct is to want to share as much of that information as possible with three non-Agency employees. Then, instead of starting immediately, she decides to rearrange furniture and get started after the weekend. THEN, she leaves work early EVERY day when her brain gets tired.
8. She tells Sophia (and gets angry with her) because "I said I would protect you and your family wasn't in any danger" despite knowing the nature of Halcyon and its enemies and the fact that Sophia's father had been nearly deported already and she made that promise before she had been exiled by the President (who wanted her dead) to a country half-way around the globe with limited contact. All of this should have told her that Sophia and her family could easily be in danger but (see missed opportunities).
The problems aren't all with Lexie. Sophia gets to be pretty stupid too, as witnessed by her moving from terrified to apathy regarding the threat to her and her parents. In the climax, when Lexie hints to her that she needs to get help, Sophia exits and does exactly what Lexie wanted. In fact, it is revealed that help was already on the way. Everyone is aware of how dangerous the situation is. So, Sophia goes back inside and reacts like "Whu---" like a deer in the headlights when she sees what is happening. The consequence of this? Sophia gets to leave again. That's all.
Even the Big Bad gets to be stupid. EJ tries to justify it by having him say "it was about control", but if the drive had just been destroyed and Sophia not been harassed in book 2, the incompetent Lexie would have been a perfectly willing tool. She wouldn't have wasted a moment's thought on her dead parents. She wouldn't have had the opportunity to look at the information at all. So, while Lexie's actions (in breaking the code) mattered, it was only enabled by the bad guy literally handing her information and justifications to do it.
I could go on, but I've already put more thought into it than EJ did to the plot.
April 26, 2024
100% worth the wait! This series has been so good and Loyalty did not disappoint. I love a good sapphic thriller with romance, twists and mystery and this book delivers. As their story continues, Lexie and Sophia are both engaging and I have rooted for them throughout the entire series. Steamy, sweet and beautiful together.
Loved the arc and am so excited to hear Abby Craden bring them all to life!
I received an arc from NetGalley and Bella Books in exchange for an honest review.
Loved the arc and am so excited to hear Abby Craden bring them all to life!
I received an arc from NetGalley and Bella Books in exchange for an honest review.
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