In the opulent ballrooms of Regency-era London, Miss Lissa Gardinier struggles through her second Season with a singular marriage to escape her mother's constant criticism. So she represses her cheeky remarks behind a quiet, innocent facade, but combined with her plain face, it only serves to make her uninteresting to potential suitors.
It is her very unpopularity that enables her to notice the enigmatic Lord Jeremy Stoude and set in motion a chance encounter. An overheard conversation and faux dialogue later, she finds herself entangled in Jeremy’s covert undertakings. Lissa resists the temptation to pry, finding delight in their mysterious friendship.
Yet the world Jeremy inhabits is one of secrets and subterfuge, and he cannot afford to be distracted by Lissa’s charming smile and unflappable demeanor. Lissa’s family dynamics grow increasingly complicated with a sister harboring her own desires for the eligible Lord Stoude, and a formidable rival—Lady Charline Halberstam—making her intentions clear.
As danger stalks them and true feelings come to light, can Lissa and Jeremy navigate the labyrinth of society’s expectations and their own insecurities to find love?
Lissa and the Spy offers readers an intoxicating blend of romance, suspense, and wit, set against the glittering backdrop of Regency London. Perfect for those who love their historical fiction laced with a dash of intrigue and a sprinkle of humor.
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Prequel to the Lady Wynwood’s Spies series
This is a stand-alone story that occurs before The Spinster’s Christmas.
I went into Lady Wynwood’s Spies with high hopes, especially since I’ve enjoyed some of Camille Elliot’s earlier books. However, I was completely unprepared for how dark this series is. I strongly dislike horror, gore, and sadistic villains, and this series leans heavily into all three. I’m writing this review for readers like me who would want a warning beforehand.
From the start, every character carries deep trauma, anger toward God, or spiritual wounds, which already made the tone heavier than expected. But the real shock came from the villains, who are far more gruesome than anything I’ve ever encountered in Christian fiction. Their violence is senseless, graphic, and extreme—far beyond what I believe fits the genre or the faith themes the books claim to include.
By the time I reached book six, I realized I had ignored many red flags simply because I wanted to see how the story ended. The darkness kept escalating until it felt unmistakably like horror. At that point, I felt spiritually prompted to stop reading, and I’m grateful I did.
My biggest concern is the portrayal of God throughout the series. He comes across as distant, uninvolved, and ineffective in the lives of devout characters who suffer terribly without clear divine help. As a Christian who has personally experienced God’s intervention and healing, this depiction deeply troubled me. It does not reflect the God I know—present, powerful, compassionate, and faithful.
It saddens me to write such a negative review, but I couldn’t stay silent knowing other readers might stumble into this series expecting Christian suspense and instead find graphic horror and a misrepresentation of God’s character. My hope is simply to spare others that experience and to affirm that the true God is loving, near, and actively involved in the lives of His people.
This book was delightful! I especially love the main characters. Lissa was the type of woman who can give as good as she can take. Lord Stoude was the strong, silent type who learned to let his walls down, thanks to Lissa’s bold yet sweet charm. The book was highly entertaining from beginning to end, with an intriguing mixture of the regency period, romance, and spies. I highly recommend this book!
This Broader Regency novella was a quick, fun read.
Lissa is witty and fun! The book is almost entirely from the heroine's POV, but she was just so delightful that I didn't mind. She's sassy and funny. And she totally figures out he's a spy and that miffs and intrigues him in turn. This was quite a lot of fun to read. And I especially liked that it does have faith/inspirational elements.
3½ stars. It was an interesting read that kept my attention. I liked how he stood up for her. Lissa is a strong character. I did not like her sister. I've never known a sister to be so vicious. Ending was a tad abrupt but otherwise sweet. Overall, an enjoyable story.
I thoroughly enjoy a character who bucks the system, especially the social norms of the Regency era. Women are told exactly what to do, how to act and must obey. Lissa, on the other hand, rejects many of the society's acceptable behaviors. For instance, she enjoys speaking her mind and talking about politics, while her mother expects her to be quiet, demure and flirtatious.
Lissa Gardinier is rather plain, so flirting seems futile. Being a wallflower she tends to observe rather than being blend with the general ton. So her habit is to observe others from a distance. This gives her a better sense of what a person is really like. When Lissa observes Lord Jeremy Stoude eavesdropping on two men she intercepts him to keep them from seeing him. This begins an interesting relationship of sorts.
One of the things I enjoy most about Camille Elliot’s books is her inclusion of the Gospel in many of them. This novella includes a lovely brief presentation but utterly perfect.
Because this is a novella, it’s quite short, but well done. I thoroughly enjoyed Lissa and Lord Stroude. Absolutely refreshing.
Lissa and the Spy by Camille Elliot A Lady Wynwood’s Spies Novella This is Lissa Gardinier’s— sister to Keriah, Phoebe’s friend in the Lady Wynwood series—story. The book is mainly told from her POV, and you get to know her. She’s not like the other society misses, even though that distresses her mother. She’s more of a bluestocking and says what’s on her mind, which doesn’t bode well for finding a husband.
Lord Jeremy Stoude is a mysterious, seemingly cold gentleman whom the women have given up on. Lissa sees through the cold image and notices he’s up to something else. Eavesdropping. Watching him helps make these boring society activities much more enjoyable for her.
The story provides readers with a deeper insight into Lissa in the Lady Wynwood series. I see how it’s easier for Keriah to get away with being part of the spy group. I enjoyed this novella…even if a few tears escaped while reading it. https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
I stumbled upon this book by accident and am so glad I did. I usually don't read novellas because everything happens so fast that it becomes so unbelievable, but this one breaks that rule. I didn't feel rushed, I loved the main characters, I hated a few characters, and the story kept me going. Definitely a fun read, will try more from the author.