Secrets, lies, and spies. No one is who they seem to be.
Frankie is certain the new tour guide, Jamie Smith, is hiding something—she’s too perfect to be real. Frankie just needs to get close enough to her to find out what.
Jamie is in over her head. Her first undercover assignment was supposed to be pose as a tour guide at the Natrual History Museum to investigate a smuggling operation being run out of it’s warehouse. She isn’t prepared to meet star paleontologist Frankie Woolbridge with her outlandish wigs and enigmatic personality. She certainly isn’t prepared for what Frankie makes her feel.
When danger comes calling, Jamie has to risk everything to protect the one person she can no longer live without.
A cozy but thrilling dark saphhic romance for those that like their women morally gray and slightly feral.
This is an interconnected standalone in the Untamed Rascals Universe.
Each book is a piece of me I am learning how to love.
Tilly Lebeck writes stories about love, life, radical self-acceptance, and finding joy in the mundane. She began writing on a dare in 2007 and hasn't been able to stop since. Tilly lives in Arizona with her husband and more cats than anyone in their right mind should have. Good thing Tilly isn't in her right mind. If there are two things she hates, it's traffic and sunny days, which is why she abandoned the corporate world for a life of daydreaming.
I don’t know what to say, this was just a LOT of fun. I didn’t know what to expect from this book but was very happy with what I got. Well written, witty, spicy as hell, and thoroughly entertaining. This was a very easy and fast read. The author said at the end of the book that they are getting into sapphic books and I will be following along with that journey.
Rating: A/5 Stars
Assorted positive thoughts: -The spicy scenes were integral to the story; filled with plot and character/relationship development. I love it when the author uses spicy scenes as a part of the story and not just something slipped in as a sort of filler. In all honesty I think that a lot of other authors should read this book to get a better understanding of how it should be done! -Also yes they were spicy as hell. -Wow that dirty talk. For some reason I wasn’t expecting it. Almost a little but unrealistic but I didn’t mind. -This was a lot of fun. There was a solid back and forth and some hijinks to be found. A little dash of mystery. Very efficient use of the page count (particularly how much backstory for Frankie they fit in!). -I love Lily -I liked Frankie a lot too. Lilly FTW though. -This book dislikes cops and points out in a few places that they suck. Huge points from me there.
Thank you to the author for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
Jamie, an FBI Agent on her first undercover assignment, is tasked with investigating paleontologist Dr. Francesca Woolridge, the prime suspect in the case. Jamie has doubts that she’s the person they’re looking for, but nonetheless, she befriends Frankie for the investigation. What started out as work for her case turns into more when the two grow closer. Now, Frankie can’t help but be suspicious of the new museum tour guide, Jamie. She’s almost too good to be true, but that’s not just it. Frankie swears she’s seen her before and has a gut feeling that Jamie isn’t who she claims to be.
I love romances that have love interests who are complete opposites because I just find it adorable. Okay, hear me out, the tall and toned FBI agent and the short bright-colored wig-wearing paleontologist. Oh, come on! Frankie was funny, but she also had vulnerable moments that made me teary-eyed. I appreciated that Jamie was there for protection and support when/if needed during those times. Jamie also had her own vulnerable moments, especially when it came to her past. The banter was fun and I enjoyed the teasing they dished out. Oh, and there was plenty of spice to satisfy the neediest and greediest. Overall, it was a thrilling read that had its dark and cozy moments.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
”I will kill anyone and everyone to protect you. I will stain my soul so black that it can never be clear again if it means you are safe. The only thing I can’t do is lose you.”
5 stars. Like, EXCUSE ME? I have *never* thirsted so hard for a character with my name but Lebeck had me over swooning hard over Jamie. Oh my goodness. What a character. She’s quite the enigma and I’m obsessed with her. She and Frankie’s dynamics were so much fun and extremely sexy.
Frankie and Jamie both work at a museum. Frankie feels as if Jamie is hiding something because she’s a bit too good to be true. And she’s correct. Jamie is a federal agent and she’s undercover to get close to Frankie and get info from her. I really liked the plot, it’s very light but not without some heartfelt moments. I found Jamie’s backstory to be fascinating. She has some religious trauma going on that had me feeling for her.
The romance was so good. The chemistry between them and the spice? Delicious. Loved everything about it. Jamie is toppy as hell for someone who’s never even had sex before. Her mouth is filthy, she’s dominant, and she likes to be called Daddy? I’M MELTING SEND HELP PLEASE!
Frankie is a lucky girl. I'm very jealous, thanks for asking.
The ending action got intense and crazy but it was so good. I couldn’t stop reading. This book was so much fun and it’s one that I could definitely see myself reading again. It’s so entertaining.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was given an ARC copy of Frankie and the Fed by Tilly Lebeck. Thank you Tilly for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this book.
This book is full of spice with a side of mystery. Frankie is tattooed colorful wig wearing paleontologist at a Natural History Museum. Jamie is a new tour guide at the museum, but is more than that as she is an undercover fed trying to solve a case. One that at first seems to involve the very attractive Frankie. Both seem to gravitate towards one another despite not trusting eachother fully. The tension between the two is hot adds to the overall dynamic of the two finding themselves while also falling for each. This is a good dark sapphic romance with mystery and self discovery. I enjoyed reading it and look forward to reading other books by Tilly Lebeck.
This was my first book by this author, and now I want to circle back and read about the other characters mentioned. Note, this is a stand alone but does incorporate characters from other books.
A mystery, the bad guys getting their comeuppance, dinosaur humor, and sweet and super sexy sapphic love. What more could a gal want?
I received an advanced reader copy for free and am leaving a review voluntarily.
I adored this book! I loved the character development of Jamie and Frankie and their story was beautiful! I need to read the others in the series. Full of spice and romance 5/5
As always, I want to start off by thanking the author for the chance to review this book as part of their ARC team.
This is a fun and enjoyable read if you want a cute story to sit and enjoy over the course of a weekend. I loved how cute the two FMCs were while trying to figure each other out. Their insta-lust/attraction was so endearing.
They get to know each other through the lens of who they are representing themselves as. One is just trying to do her job while the other is driven to solve the mystery of who they saw and who this new person is.
There is a mystery afoot and we get to see both sides of it. The who done it from the perspective of someone who knows and someone who has no real idea. You don't learn much about the mystery itself (goals, why, how many involved really) but that doesn't really matter. The story is Frankie and Jamie.
I love how dominating one of them is but also how caring, going from ‘eat me' to ’let me make it better’ as soon as she sees an issue.
I give it a solid 3.5 in my personal ranking. The story was a bit predictable but the characters were loveable. I wish there was more distinction in-scene for who ‘her’ is sometimes. I found myself having to check who's POV I was in occasionally. That is not to say the characters are not distinct from each other in their own respective POVs.
If you enjoy sapphic romance, insta-attaction/lust, a bit of sleuthing, a bit of mistrust (resolved), some exhibitionism/voyeurism, and seeing someone giving up control. You should give this book a read.
Frankie And The Fed by Tilly Lebeck ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶🌶🌶🌶
I really enjoyed this book. Frankie and I are like the same person. I connected with her soo much. How she feels about making and keeping friends I relate to sooo much. And the fear in a romantic relationship also relate to. I loved the natural domme/sub relationship that happened between Frankie and Jamie. I loved how sometimes you connect with someone and it just happens naturally. I did like the sub drop scene (although it wasn't labeled a sub drop). Jamie reacted so quickly with after care asking what Frankie needed from her and giving it to her. Jamie saying that she had to do research before they did anything like that again was perfect. It really showed that even in a natural dom/sub relationship you should still do research and be aware of how to properly and safely navigate these scenes. I also really liked that they ended up with a safe word which is so so so important. I wish we had figured out why Frankie and her family were being set up. I feel like that situation wasn't really explained besides Frankie being an easy escape goat. My only other thing is that I just would have liked it to be longer so we got my character growth, more time spent with Frankie and Jamie figuring each other out and giving us more answers at the end. Over all I really enjoyed this book. I loved Frankie and I loved Jamie's path to self discovery.
***** ARC REVIEW ***** This book starts out fast and doesn’t slow down! Two very strong and independent female MCs (one a crazy wig-wearing paleontologist and the other a tall undercover FBI agent) who both feel unseen and unworthy are thrown together by a shady smuggling operation in the museum. This is the backdrop for an unlikely but surprisingly believable and at times tender sapphic love story with LOTS of erotic spice! The author does a great job building a world where Frankie and Jamie fall in love - ghost tours, museum after dark, even a karaoke bar! There was so much packed into this novel that I couldn’t even guess what would come next. This is a nice break from the typical sapphic romance and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I also appreciate the plus size representation! If you like your romance with a side of erotica, this is the book for you!
The only reason I gave 4 stars and not 5 is the fact that Jamie is just realizing she’s attracted to women but is already an expert at dirty talk and has zero insecurities about having her first woman on woman sex with Frankie. I read sapphic lit almost exclusively, so this is unrealistic in my opinion. However, given that this is the author’s first sapphic book (I believe), I can see how details like that could get overlooked. Otherwise, it doesn’t detract from the story overall.
STARS 4 stars SPICE 4 (hot) - lots of graphic spice CHEMISTRY Good ANGST Not super angsty SLOW BURN NO!! CLIFFHANGER NO CHARACTERS Frankie and Jamie
FAVORITE QUOTE/QUOTES "I will kill anyone to protect you. I will stain my soul black so that it can never be clear again if it means you are safe. The only thing I can't lose is you." - Jamie
A LITTLE ABOUT THE BOOK/HOW DID IT MAKE ME FEEL This book was a fun, cozy ‘dark’ mystery. I have never heard a book described this way. Though honestly, it leaned more cozy than dark. What really surprised me was how spicy it was! I usually don’t read “cozy”, but I ended up having a great time with it. Between the playful banter, the steamy moments, and all the shenanigans, it kept me entertained.
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE CHARACTERS Jamie’s devotion and need to protect Frankie gave the story heart. Frankie’s fiery, mischievous personality kept things exciting and often landed her in trouble. Together, their bond felt tender, chaotic, and impossible to resist
WHAT I LOVED ABOUT THE BOOK What I loved most about this book was how everything came together. What really hooked me was the conflict of them falling for each other in the middle of all the mayhem.
Okay besties, listen up because "Frankie and the Fed" by Tilly LeBeck had me clutching my Kindle like it was my emotional support water bottle. On the surface: cozy sapphic romance. But make it dark cozy... museum smuggling rings, undercover feds, and religious trauma spiced with dirty talk.
Frankie? Quirky, wig-wearing paleontologist with chaotic energy. Jaime? A tall, broody FBI agent who somehow went from “baby gay” to “call me Daddy” without a single pause. Was it realistic? Nope. Did I care? Absolutely not. Their chemistry is chef’s kiss, and the spice? Whew. I’m talking toppy, dominant, messy, so wrong it’s right kind of heat.
Curvy rep? Check. Fast pace? Double check. Karaoke bars and ghost tours? YES. This one’s a sapphic ride I didn’t want to end. And always, don't forget the trigger warnings.
Fave Quote: "My soul cried out to her in a way I’d never felt before, like they were already one." ~Jaime
My Ratings: ⭐ 4/5 ▪︎ 🥵 3/5
🥀 For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
Duel 1st Person POV. 4🌟 4🌶️. 267 pages This was a short cozy read, that I enjoyed for what it was. I don’t think the book itself should be considered a dark romance, as the only dark thing about it is two killings at the end of the book, other than that it comes across as more of a mystery / contemporary romance, but it is definitely worth a read if you are looking for something quick and fun. Frankie is a Palaeontologist working for the natural history museum when she stumbles upon something that doesn’t belong. Que Jamie’s entrance an undercover FBI agent working as a tour guide and investigating the goings on at the museum, with Frankie as her primary suspect.
Honestly the book was a fun read, although a few things didn’t really make sense to me, some timeline errors and then what I would deem as an unnecessary gender identity revelation in the damn epilogue, instead of in the actual story. But overall I enjoyed myself while reading.
Must Read if you Love: ✨Lesbian Romance ✨Lesbian Awakening ✨Mystery ✨Mutual Stalking ✨Plus Size Femme ✨Soft Masc FBI Agent ✨Insta Obsession ✨Dom/Sub Dynamics ✨SPICE! ✨Daddy Kink
Reviewed by Natalie for Saucy Reviews on Kinky Korner
A short but spicy romance, great story, not only was it funny and sexy as heck, but it also had a good storyline that was entertaining with great banter between Jamie and Frankie.
So much action packed into such a short story, but none of it was out of place; it flowed well and was a believable romance between these two.
I thoroughly enjoyed this dark sapphic romance! The novel masterfully balances witty banter and playful hijinks with a compelling underlying mystery, keeping me engaged from beginning to end. The connection between Frankie and Jamie is electric. . The spice level is perfectly integrated into the narrative, enhancing the intensity of their connection without overshadowing the plot or character development. I appreciated the well-developed characters and the intriguing plot twists. This book is a fantastic read for anyone who enjoys a well-written romance with a touch of mystery and a healthy dose of playful tension.
I received an advance review copy for free, and this review reflects my honest and voluntary opinion.
A short but spicey romance, great story, not only was it funny and sexy as heck but it also had a good storyline that was entertaining with great banter between Jamie and Frankie. So much action packed into such a short story but none of it was out of place, it flowed well and was a believable romance between these two. Again, great story, can't wait to read more.
This is a cute, fun story with plenty of humor. I love that Frankie is this tiny little thing and yet the way she acts you would never know it. The way Frankie and Jamie come together is quite beautiful. Showing so much emotion around feeling out of place all the time and yet together they finally feel seen and whole. The spice is excellent throughout this book. I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more books written by this author.
A big thank you to the Author Tilly Lebeck for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest, voluntary review.
I feel like the cover doesn’t do the book justice. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a gorgeous cover, but I have to admit I had a stereotype about what kind of story usually comes with this style of cover. Turns out I was completely wrong. The book is filled with awkwardness and a quirky vibe—and I mean that in the best possible way. I adore Frankie and Jamie; they’re both endearing and lovable characters.
If you're looking for a cozy afternoon read, this is the one!
I always enjoy reading Tilley Lebeck’s books! I’m never really sure what to expect from them so I just go in blind! There was plenty of action and adventure and spice in this one! It’s not her first book I’ve read and I hope it’s not my last I highly recommend you pick up one of her books you won’t regret it ♥️
Unfortunately, I was not vibing with this book. I was a little disappointed because I loved Duke's Daring Bookworm, but I wasn't vibing with Frankie. Also, Jamie's POV was kind of bland, missing a bit of personality.
I received this book as an ARC from the author. I am providing my honest opinion and leaving a review voluntarily.
This book was cute, and I enjoyed the overall story, investigation, and the HEA.
However, I did find it a little unrealistic that Jamie was an instant lesbian sex goddess and knew exactly what she was doing with her fingers, tongue, and strap. Nobody is that skilled their first time exploring new territory 😂
This book was everything I wanted to see in a sapphic book. It was flirty, it was fast paced, it was intriguing. I was hooked pretty quick and then I couldn’t put it down. The spice was honestly so hot. Jamie and Frankie are 🥵.
This book was by far one of my top 10 books I’ve read this year. The story line had me laughing and intriguing all at once. The amount of spice. In this book is unreal in a good way. If you are questioning yourself on whether to read this book or not DO IT!!! Trust me you will not be unhappy!
I’m not fully done just yet but omg this book is sooo fun so far
I’ll come back with an update when I’m done -9/13
Update Holy cow what a book absolutely loved this book the plot is amazing and the characters were written so beautifully absolutely loved it can’t wait to read more by this author
3.5 ⭐ 3 🌶️ ARC E-book Dual POV First Person Not as dark as I expected, but still a good story. Not a slow burn, and Jamie seemed to have lots of knowledge/ability considering her background. Loved how eccentric Frankie is.
This was a fun read. The back and forth banter and the overall feel of the book kept me reading and smiling throughout. A good read. This is a voluntary review.
"I will kill anyone and everyone to protect you. I will stain my soul so black that it can never be clear again if it meanse you are safe. The only thing I can't lose is you."
This book was great. I loved the charcaters so so much and I feel like I really understood their motives and motivations, which is really hard to achieve with such a short book. Both the charcaters felt very complete and rounded, and I feel like they made a lot of sense together.
The plot was really fun in a way, because I could tell the twist at like 20% through the book but I was still invested in the story. I have a few questions about the plot, but I was also sick while I read this in the middle of the night so it is entirely possible that I do not remember a lot of stuff.
Overall, I think that everyone would like this book. It is fun, it has plot, it has spice, it is the full package. So go read it.
I was given this arc by the author Tilly lebeck This is the first book of the authors I have read and it was absolutely amazing. Thankyou for allowing me the chance to read this book before release.
This book is full of mystery and spice and everything in between 🥵I love the banter and the Steamy moments.
Love that the love intreasts were complete opposites and seeing them come together.
The chemistry between them was hot.
Now need to go back and read more of this author Can't wait for your next book.
Great premise for a book! I really enjoyed this. I don't often read Sapphic books but this one really took me on a ride, and it was just overall, cute. I couldn't stop reading once I started, and it escalated in the best ways. I'm thankful to Tilly for giving me the opportunity to read her book, and I definitely have a new author to follow!!