Affections Secrètes (Agents de l'Ombre t. 5)

Psi-Ops/Shadow Agents #5

by Mandy M. Roth

Ce livre est traduit de l'anglais original.

Des souvenirs en éclats et des vérités mortelles.

Jesse Culbertson, agent d’élite et métamorphe-félin, est persuadé de faire partie des méchants. Amélioré par des sérums expérimentaux et hanté par des trous dans sa mémoire, il sait que quelque chose de sombre se cache dans son passé oublié. À chaque mission, les couches de tromperie se décollent, l’amenant à tout remettre en question — surtout lorsque son instinct lui hurle qu’il se bat pour le mauvais camp.

Lindy Delgado a passé des années à perfectionner l’art de se fondre dans la masse, dissimulant sa nature de succube à tout le monde, même à son amie la plus proche. Mais sa façade soigneusement construite commence à se fissurer lorsque Jesse entre dans sa vie, éveillant des désirs qu’elle a passé des mois à essayer de maîtriser. Déterminée à le protéger de ses pulsions les plus sombres, Lindy est résolue à garder ses distances. Mais Jesse n’est pas celui qu’il paraît, et rester à l’écart s’avère impossible quand il ne cesse d’apparaître partout où elle va.

Alors que l’emprise de la Corporation se resserre et que des secrets mortels éclatent au grand jour, Jesse et Lindy doivent naviguer dans un tissu de mensonges, y compris ceux qu’ils se racontent à eux-mêmes.

Genres: Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance

607 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2025

About the author

NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Mandy M. Roth® loves 80s music and movies and wishes leg warmers would come back into fashion. She also thinks the movie The Breakfast Club should be mandatory viewing for…okay, everyone. When she’s not dancing around her office to the sounds of the 80s, she’s busy writing paranormal operatives and kick-butt urban fantasy heroines. Mandy lives in Oxford, Mississippi with her husband and three boys. She has sold over 2 million books. Mandy has published with Harlequin, Random House/ Virgin Books, numerous small presses, and has had an amazingly successful indie career. She’s had bestselling books in a multitude of categories and genres at Amazon, Nook, Google Play, Apple Books, and Kobo.

Reviews

[Diane G · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Covert Affections” is the eleventh story in the Immortal Ops series and Book 5 in the Shadow Agents: Paranormal Security and Intelligence Ops World series by Mandy Roth — and it does not disappoint!
Jesse Culbertson, an elite operative and mountain lion shifter, has served the corporation for years and believes himself to be beyond redemption. Lindy Delgado, a succubus and former child victim of the same corporation, carries her own painful secrets. Both are haunted by gaps in their memories, the result of dangerous experiments and manipulation.
Their connection is undeniable — intense, emotional, and deeply healing. Mandy Roth delivers an intriguing mix of suspense, steamy romance, and humor. The characters are richly developed, and the antics of Bill and Gus add the perfect touch of laughter.
I eagerly await the next installment! If you enjoy stories filled with action, heart, and a good dose of humor, Covert Affections is a must-read!

[Titania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse is in a world or gray. He works for The Corporation or does he? Lindy is different and fights darkness daily. She has needs and is afraid of them. When the two meet will they move past their fears and grab onto a future together?
Covert Affections is the latest in Mand M. Roth's Shadow Agents series. I love finding out that Jesse is way more than we thought. I love that he fights for what he believes is right even if he doesn't understand why. I love that he protects even as he doesn't quite understand his reasons. I love how he is with Lindy. I thoroughly enjoyed Lindy. She is irreverent even as she is there for her friends. Her sense of humor tickles me even as she finds herself unable to quite rake what she dishes. I enjoyed her journey to Jesse and while I found the ending of the story to be a bit abrupt I cannot wait to see where Ms. Roth will take us next.

[Vedece Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was soo fricken good! But I promised, no spoilers so, ,
Shifters, succubus, stalkers, mates, cougars and Bill, OH MY!
All is not as it seems.
Jesse's not who he thinks he is and when he does remember he, ,
He has to protect one but can't leave his mate unprotected, , ,
Mate?!
Lindy can remember when, , ,
Who knew fate hung around at the grocery store, so when her nightmare, , ,
Fluffy is a perv but I love him and his, ,
Sweet Cheeks and WHO?
So many questions and the ending was a Chef's kiss.
So many more OPS to look forward to reading about in the future.
I am one satisfied reader.
This review is my opinion and not AI generated.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I love this womans mind! It devious, dangerous and funny as hell!, Mandy always makes me going from one feeling to another in the whip of a hat.! And this book is no different. It has you feeling sad and then to laughing out loud the next.
It is full of on the edge of your seat moments, and needing to know what happens next. It's full of fighting action scenes throughout and there's sizzling romance. And everyone's favourite characters Bill and Gus make a return. Love those guys. It can be read as a stand alone but it is recommended by author and myself to read the series. And my recommendation is to start back where it all began with The Immortal Ops, you won't be disappointed.And as all pnr books should this has a HEA.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY CRUD!!! Talk about getting hooked into a book. I freaking loved it. We have seen bits of this story as it kinda runs parallel to Ground Training, so yup read that one first. There is more to Jessie than meets the eye and he truly does not understand everything himself. One being why is he drawn to Lindy. Could it be? Maybe? Oh yeah another Alpha falling hard and not getting out of his own way. Lindy is scared. She is scared to let out what she needs in order to survive. Time for that is coming to an end and it take several people to help her get over her fear.
These two together??? Well one is a succubus so what do you think?
The ending... lets just say that I have questions and cannot wait for the next book!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me laughing in several places. It was totally enjoyable. I see why they say that the book is a cliffhanger. Okay NO the book is NOT A CLIFFHANGER but there is a mystery about two of the characters in the book. You might say it could be a shoot off from the book and it does leave you wondering and hoping there is a humorous book hatching in Mandy Roth's devious mind. The writing is so good it does leave you wondering what is up with those two minor charters. Yes, I would buy a shoot off of this book. I am still laughing over some of the shenanigans that happened in the book. Mandy please take it to the next step.

[iliana G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Jessie's and Lindy's story.
Fast paced and with absolute hilarity these two were made for one another literally.
Once more the author has given us an amazing story filled with action and laughter and of course the bad guys from the coorperation.
I loved the fact we got to see the gang and i love the twins as well as Bill and Gus.
I truly want to see Bill getting his own book!
You can read it as a standalone but i would recommend to start up at the beginning...that way it will be more fun!

[Jennifer Lowrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read, great characters and excellent story line every single time!! It’s been a while since I’ve read the last book in this series, but the characters all came back to me in a heartbeat. The sign of a phenomenal series and excellent book. I did not want to put it down, it grabbed me by the 1st page and still hasn’t let go. I can not say enough great things about this book and I have no words for how much I love/ have loved this book and the whole series.

[Elena Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it !

Omg I have never laughed so hard and dang the sexy parts HOT !! Ok we definitely need Samuels story now .and why do I get the feeling Bill is not what he seems hmm ? Gus maybe too . Mrs. Roth your comedy lines are on point I was laughing so hard at work I almost peed my pants lmao ! We also need Armonds HEA I'm sorry if I miss spelled name or got it wrong he's a vampire I'm in a hurry got to get back to work shhhh lol keep these books coming .

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the main characters are interesting, but they don’t spend much time together in the book, which makes it a bit boring. For over two-thirds of the story, they follow separate plotlines. I hope the next book will improve on this, because if it’s mostly just backstories following the same pattern in parts 1, 2, and 3, the author risks creating a formula that makes the storylines predictable, the writing less engaging, and the overall experience feel like an easy way out.

[Heather Paulsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh boy, you better hang on for this one. The beginning is a bit slow but when it takes off....oh my goodness. Jesse and Lindy's story is fabulous. You get great banter, romance, villains, & a little humor woven together. I couldn't read fast enough. That ending, let me tell you what, I cannot wait to see how she weaves that through the next book. It was so good. Don't worry it's not a cliffhanger.

[felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy how she went more into the backgrounds of Jesse and Lindy. This was a longer book than others in the series and it does s good job of filling in some of the gaps.

I didn't like how Jesse and Lindy spent no time in the book together. Jesse speaks more to Lindy's ex-boyfriend than he does to her. It was very frustrating.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievably Enjoyable

This was a great book. The characters were well thought through. The story weaves in and out of the previous storyline, connecting events and filling in spots. Bill and Gus are my absolute favorites, and I can't wait to see how Teresa handles them. The story opens the way for others to follow. Read, it's totally worth it

[Kylie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this

I absolutely adore this series and as we keep getting introduced to new characters, I hope it doesn't end anytime soon. Definitely hoping we can get some more background on Bill and Gus and they continue on their matchmaking. I've already pre-ordered the next one and I'm super sad its not going to be released until next year.

[Starla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!

This book was streaming in parts, hilarious in others. The story was sad and then made you smile. Essentially, this book gave you all the feels. But the suspense and the romance was so much fun to read. Love it and highly recommend this series and this book!!

[Jaunita James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covert Affections

Loved it! Absolutely worth the wait! Some questions have been answered and some new questions rise to take their place. Ms Roth's world of Shadow Agents/PSI-Ops is a storytelling masterpiece!

[Judy Coates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been hanging out for this book, and I can honestly say I wasn't disappointed.
I have been caught reading while waiting for appointments when I all of a sudden crack up laughing at something that was said or something Bill has done.
this book was well worth the wait.
Jesse and Lindy's is well worth a read.
Gus and Bill make it even better if that is even possible.

[Darla Craven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it !

This book is longer but it's just as wonderful. I loved Bill and Gus and all the Jesse's friends that came to help.It longer so you get to know what's happening. If you love paranormal romance and if you love this series it's a must read!

[Melvena Asa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covert Affection

Absolutely Fantastic . Another great addition to the series. Loved Wild Bill and Gus. Everyone in this story was amazing. I can't wait for the next book.

[Denise Doughten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book.

I enjoyed reading every word of this . The characters are amazing and funny. You want to be lost in their lives and keep reading. Can not wait for the next book.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

One of my favourite authors, the stories make you stay up all night reading them can’t get enough of them

[Betty Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this author

Love the immortal opps books!! It’s like Family with each book!! Can’t wait for the next book in the series!!

[Shellia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Everyone of her books are fantastic reads. I love everyone of the shifters. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Helen Maddix · Rating 5 out of 5]

More excitement for the Agents
This book features Jesse Culbertson as an employee of The Corporation (the Evil guys) and Lindy Delgado, former test subject of said Evil. Written in both characters voices, the story covers over 30 years. If you haven’t read the previous books in this series, at least go back to the one just prior to this one (Ground Training – Immortal Outcasts Series Book 5) or you won’t get parts of the story you’ll need to understand what is happening.
Both of our two main characters are shifters, and both have memory loss due to their pasts. There is interaction with other characters from other parts of Mandy M. Roth’s extensive Universe of shifters, fae, demons, and other paranormal creations, so some prior reading will be helpful. This book is much longer than prior books, but well written with a lot of information presented in the story. If you enjoy paranormal storylines, this is the book -and series – for you! Cannot wait for the next book in whatever part of her numerous series Ms. Roth decides to take us. Every book I have read of her many and varied series has been excellent, with some short quick reads and others more detailed. Almost all have a past/present telling which helps if you start a book that is later in her overall timeline. All are compelling stories that are enjoyable to read. Also, the books are interconnected, and while some think they end in a cliffhanger, they really are just setting up for the next book which will have 2 or more “new” main characters.
I was given an ARC of this book by the Author and BookSprout and this is my honest opinion.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shadow Agents have become a firm favourite with me. The Psi-Ops guys may get all the glory but these guys are doing the dirty, dangerous jobs behind enemy lines!

Jesse Culbertson has been around for a LONG time. He looks to be in his 30's but you should add a century at least to that! He's the go-to guy with The Corporation but every so often he gets a twinge of conscience, a flashback of a memory, a life he doesn't remember. He never thought he'd held break test subjects out of the facility - bit it would appear even he has a line that can't be crossed!

Lindy Delgado has worked hard to make a life for herself. Haunted by nightmares of her childhood, ones that have never made sense. With her small tribe of friends and found family, she's enjoying life all whilst trying to tell her inner succubus to lay low! But helping her bestie get some action/help has backfired and now it appears that bad guys are after her - again!

This story takes place over almost 3 decades. It's a great tale of redemption for Jesse, accepting self for Lindy and a love that transcends everything. I love the way that the author allows for mates to meet but when the timing is wrong they just have an innate trust in each other, a need to protect the other. The realisation of finding your mate only takes place when both are of an age to act upon it. Jesse is well aware of the age-gap between them and he feels like a dirty old man for even contemplating it. But it's Lindy who does the chasing and poor Jesse ends up feeling a heel anyway, due to *reasons* that are a spoiler.

There is a fair amount of overlap with the previous book in the series, this time we see it from other POV's and get more information. I have to say that as hot and intense as Jesse and Lindy are, the dynamic due of Bill and Gus once again threaten to overawe the story. These two are comedic gold and I just keep hoping that someday these two will get a book just for them! It was great/horrifying learning about sweet cheeks, lol

[Pogo Frankman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took a bit longer to get into the story. I appreciate a good back story but this was a little longer than usual. Once I got into the meat of the story, I couldn't put it down. Lindy is my new favorite heroine, and I will buy any book that features Wild Bill and Gus. I am curious to see what's in store for Waverly and what happened to Samuel and his crew. Hope the next one comes out quickly.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remembering
Another fantastic story in Mandy’s Immortal Ops world.
This story is based in the Shadow Agent series and features Jesse, an elite operative cat shifter working for The Corporation.
Keeping his head down and trying to do all that is asked of him (even when he knows it’s wrong) keeps him out of trouble and off The Corporations radar.
Believing he is truly evil, when he comes across the gorgeous Lindy a succubus and possibly his mate, he does not think he is worthy of her and can keep her safe.
Their attraction is immediate and very hot 🔥.
Add in the fun and hijinks that Bill and Gus add to the book along with some of the other operatives and you have a really great addition to the series.
Spent many a times laughing out loud at their antics.
This story is best read in order as its time line runs along with what happens in Ground Training - Immortal Outcasts.
Can’t wait for the future books to come as the ending of this book has paved the way for so many more stories in the Immortal Ops world.
Brilliant storyline and awesome characters.

[Kathy Tozzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the most amazing book thus far.
Mandy Roth, you have really outdone yourself on this one.

Jesse Culbertson –Mountain Lion Shifter. He has worked for the corporation for many years. Thinking he is a bad guy but is starting to wonder just who he really is.
Lindy Delgado – Succubus. She is a child victim of the corporation.

There is a connection between the two of them, they just don't know the extent of it yet.
The story jumps around covering many years, not to confusing if you follow the previous books.
A story of two people trying to remember what they do not remember about their lives.
If you enjoy a story with a lot of action and laughs you will love this one.
It is wonderful to join the greatest group of tough, funny, bad arse misfits again. Of course one thing that makes is so worth the read is Bill and Gus.
I really do not want to give any spoilers away (not an easy thing for me). The book is rather large and well worth the time and money to read it.
Covert Affections

[Cilicia White · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadow Agents are back and this time our story is about Jesse a Cat shifter and Lindy a Succubus who are both victims of the Corporation and maybe mates. Both are running from their past and fighting for a future. This book does span a few years and you will see what both Jesse and Lindy endured and see why they trust very little. Of course two of our favorite characters, Bill and Gus make their appearance and they are still up to their hijinks. This book ends quickly with a cliffhanger of a sort with run for more books. I waiting for the next book since I have read the entire series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was a little slow to start out, but suddenly everything made sense and I loved reading it, even when stuck in traffic.. 🤣 think that's the most that Bill and Gus( but mainly Bill!) have appeared in a book in a long time, their madness definitely kept me laughing whilst reading. It tied in well with the previous book too, although I sometimes felt like perhaps this story should have been read first?.
Anyway, Well done Mandy, another very successful book, keep up the good work.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.