What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hand and the Heart #2
The Thief and the Traitor Bride
Not yet published
Expected 29 Sep 26The second standalone romantic fantasy set in the world of the USA Today bestselling novel The Second Death of Locke.
A ruthless spy. A deadly mission. A thief who could ruin it all.
Nore Gordon is a woman of many she can speak a variety of languages, disguise herself in plain sight, and has made a name for herself as a successful wine merchant. But unbeknownst to those closest to her, it is all a front for Nore's true role as the favoured spy of the Lindle crown.
Tasked with infiltrating enemy lands in search of a powerful relic, Nore is forced to engage the services of a great thief. Unfortunately, the only person for the job is her estranged husband Caspian. Both Nore and Caspian bear the scars of the disastrous end of their marriage, but if they are to survive their deadly new assignment, they must pose as a happily married couple to avoid detection.
As danger closes in, Nore finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit-and though Caspian is at the centre of it all, she may not hate him as much as she once did. But Caspian has betrayed her before, and trust can be far more deadly than deception.
A ruthless spy. A deadly mission. A thief who could ruin it all.
Nore Gordon is a woman of many she can speak a variety of languages, disguise herself in plain sight, and has made a name for herself as a successful wine merchant. But unbeknownst to those closest to her, it is all a front for Nore's true role as the favoured spy of the Lindle crown.
Tasked with infiltrating enemy lands in search of a powerful relic, Nore is forced to engage the services of a great thief. Unfortunately, the only person for the job is her estranged husband Caspian. Both Nore and Caspian bear the scars of the disastrous end of their marriage, but if they are to survive their deadly new assignment, they must pose as a happily married couple to avoid detection.
As danger closes in, Nore finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit-and though Caspian is at the centre of it all, she may not hate him as much as she once did. But Caspian has betrayed her before, and trust can be far more deadly than deception.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 29, 2026
About the author
V.L. Bovalino
3 books745 followersV.L. Bovalino is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and now lives in the UK. She loves obscure academic facts, folklore, and oversized sweaters. Find her on online as @toribovalino.
She also writes books for young adults as Tori Bovalino.
She also writes books for young adults as Tori Bovalino.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Want to Read
December 12, 2025We come to this place… for yearning. We come to the hand and the heart series to laugh, to cry, to care.
July 22, 2025
The way this will skip to the front of my TBR as soon as I get my hands on it
Want to Read
May 16, 2026The ARC just popped up in my inbox. Saving for later this summer.
Want to Read
October 22, 2025I went to a book event and she confirmed it’s coming in September 2026 and the fmc is a spy 👀 also can I just say what a lovely person she is???
About to scream. It’s confirmed that it’s in the same world but features new main characters, I need it 😭 the mc are nore and caspian
About to scream. It’s confirmed that it’s in the same world but features new main characters, I need it 😭 the mc are nore and caspian
Want to Read
December 12, 2025i’m seated. the bookstore employees are scared and asking me to leave because it’s “not september yet” but i’m simply too seated.
Want to Read
March 12, 2026WE HAVE A TITLE!!!!! These covers really do it for me. absolutely in love.
I hope this fills the void that The Second Death of Locke has left me with :' )
I hope this fills the void that The Second Death of Locke has left me with :' )
![Profile Image for Saskia [University era].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1771534114i/149946010._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
Want to Read
March 15, 2026THE COVER WOWOWOW
second chance romance between a spy and a thief
i cant wait to read this omg
second chance romance between a spy and a thief
i cant wait to read this omg
Want to Read
December 12, 2025Locke wasnt as good as I had hoped, but THIS sounds incredible !!
Want to Read
April 29, 2026The cover looks gorgeous and I can’t wait to read it, though I really need to finish Book 1 first.
Want to Read
April 1, 2026ok so tell me why this book literally goes over everything i love in a fantasy... with a guy named caspian. CHRONICLES OF NARNIA WE'RE SO BACK BABY
Want to Read
October 29, 2025i'm so excited for THE HAND AND THE HEART book two!!! ⚔️
𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗩. 𝗟. 𝗕𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗼'𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 & 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 -
→ the MMC is named Caspian and the FMC is named Nore
→ ❝“no one knows we’re married and we’re not even really together anymore but now we have to interact” might be my favorite second chance romance microtrope❞ second chance romance and secret relationship might be a trope
→ ❝If ebeneezer scrooge was a hot, bitter spy with a hot, evil ex❞ so maybe spy romance?
𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗩. 𝗟. 𝗕𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗼'𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 & 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 -
→ the MMC is named Caspian and the FMC is named Nore
→ ❝“no one knows we’re married and we’re not even really together anymore but now we have to interact” might be my favorite second chance romance microtrope❞ second chance romance and secret relationship might be a trope
→ ❝If ebeneezer scrooge was a hot, bitter spy with a hot, evil ex❞ so maybe spy romance?
Want to Read
January 1, 2026i am shit-pantsingly excited for this book to come out
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much, The Thief and the Traitor Bride and NetGalley for the chance to read this book early in exchange of an honest review.
Nore Gordon is a brilliant woman. She can speak many languages, disguises herself in plain sight, she's a successful wine merchant and...she's a spy for the Lindle crown. Tasked with infiltrating enemy lands in search of a dangerous relic, Nore is forced to partner with a brilliant thief. Unfortunately, this this is her husband, Cas, who, years ago, betrayed her, stabbed her and left for dead. Now they have to fake an happy marriage as a cover story, while investigating this artifact. As danger closes in, Nore finds herself involved in a web of lies and deceit and, to complicate more, her feelings for Cas aren't of hatred anymore. Cas has betrayed once. Can she trust him again?
The thief and the traitor bride is the second standalone romantic fantasy set in the brilliant world created by V.L Bovalino and, after The second death of Locke, I couldn't wait to read more about this world.
The thief and the traitor bride is set, at first, in Nettlepool, in Lindan, where Nore Gordon, as main character, is a brilliant wine merchant, a successful spy and and heartbroken wife, even though she built her life trying to forget the past. Now, years after the accident that left her and Cas estranged and apart, they are forced to join forces and help the Lindle's crown by retreiving a powerful artifact. With this book V.L. Bovalino expands the world created in the first book and introducing and explaining better new kinds of magic systems, like the one on Lindan, focused on calculations, not wells and mages. It was intriguing reading more about different systems of magic, their limits and abilities, like amalgamates, who have the power to move between more systems and to use them.
Nore is a very intriguing character. She's fierce, stubborn and very smart and willing to do anything in her power to finish her mission. But once on Locke, once looking for the artifact and learning more about the mission, Nore is forced to confront herself with new truths and realities. Not only her feelings for Cas, but also, what it means to succeed in her own mission, what it means for her to go back to her previous life.
The yearning between Nore and Cas permeates the entire book. A strained relationship, filled with pain, betrayals, secrets and lies, made, also, by bickering and bantering, nostalgia and love.
Through flashbacks and letters, the reader is able to know more about their pasts together and what happened that push them far from each other, Nore's life and education, her love and losses, her determination and fierceness.
I loved their relationship and I love how, in a book of 600 pages, Nore and Cas starts as "enemies" and they slowly find their way back to each other, through honesty and no more lies and deceptions from both part.
This book has an high dose of romance, yearning, bickering and love, but it's also mixed with politics and spying. After missing Locke, I was over the moon when the book moves its attention from Nettlepool and brings it back on the Isle of Locke, Locke and her found family, now seen through the eyes of Nore and Cas. It was so weird and brilliant, getting to know them through their POVs. The tyrant queen and the Viper. (Poor my beloved children)
I loved reading about how much Nore and Cas grow and become more and more true to themselves, protecting, loving and saving each other. As in The second life of Locke, the plotting, the setting and the characterization are truly amazing and the reader is able to see Locke through different eyes. I loved seeing how the found family expanded with new members and I loved Locke so much, she's my favourite character and reading about her relationship with Kier made me swoon like always.
Also, Locke and Nore are brilliant together. I loved their brains and power and their bond.
Through politics, new magic system, a love born years ago and never waned, spies and intrigues, assassination attempts and suitor with no chance to marry Locke, since my baby is already committed and very much in love with Keir, thanks, this book is absolutely perfect and I couldn't stop reading it, when I got the earc. I had to devoured it. So good and so recommended.
Nore Gordon is a brilliant woman. She can speak many languages, disguises herself in plain sight, she's a successful wine merchant and...she's a spy for the Lindle crown. Tasked with infiltrating enemy lands in search of a dangerous relic, Nore is forced to partner with a brilliant thief. Unfortunately, this this is her husband, Cas, who, years ago, betrayed her, stabbed her and left for dead. Now they have to fake an happy marriage as a cover story, while investigating this artifact. As danger closes in, Nore finds herself involved in a web of lies and deceit and, to complicate more, her feelings for Cas aren't of hatred anymore. Cas has betrayed once. Can she trust him again?
The thief and the traitor bride is the second standalone romantic fantasy set in the brilliant world created by V.L Bovalino and, after The second death of Locke, I couldn't wait to read more about this world.
The thief and the traitor bride is set, at first, in Nettlepool, in Lindan, where Nore Gordon, as main character, is a brilliant wine merchant, a successful spy and and heartbroken wife, even though she built her life trying to forget the past. Now, years after the accident that left her and Cas estranged and apart, they are forced to join forces and help the Lindle's crown by retreiving a powerful artifact. With this book V.L. Bovalino expands the world created in the first book and introducing and explaining better new kinds of magic systems, like the one on Lindan, focused on calculations, not wells and mages. It was intriguing reading more about different systems of magic, their limits and abilities, like amalgamates, who have the power to move between more systems and to use them.
Nore is a very intriguing character. She's fierce, stubborn and very smart and willing to do anything in her power to finish her mission. But once on Locke, once looking for the artifact and learning more about the mission, Nore is forced to confront herself with new truths and realities. Not only her feelings for Cas, but also, what it means to succeed in her own mission, what it means for her to go back to her previous life.
The yearning between Nore and Cas permeates the entire book. A strained relationship, filled with pain, betrayals, secrets and lies, made, also, by bickering and bantering, nostalgia and love.
Through flashbacks and letters, the reader is able to know more about their pasts together and what happened that push them far from each other, Nore's life and education, her love and losses, her determination and fierceness.
I loved their relationship and I love how, in a book of 600 pages, Nore and Cas starts as "enemies" and they slowly find their way back to each other, through honesty and no more lies and deceptions from both part.
This book has an high dose of romance, yearning, bickering and love, but it's also mixed with politics and spying. After missing Locke, I was over the moon when the book moves its attention from Nettlepool and brings it back on the Isle of Locke, Locke and her found family, now seen through the eyes of Nore and Cas. It was so weird and brilliant, getting to know them through their POVs. The tyrant queen and the Viper. (Poor my beloved children)
I loved reading about how much Nore and Cas grow and become more and more true to themselves, protecting, loving and saving each other. As in The second life of Locke, the plotting, the setting and the characterization are truly amazing and the reader is able to see Locke through different eyes. I loved seeing how the found family expanded with new members and I loved Locke so much, she's my favourite character and reading about her relationship with Kier made me swoon like always.
Also, Locke and Nore are brilliant together. I loved their brains and power and their bond.
Through politics, new magic system, a love born years ago and never waned, spies and intrigues, assassination attempts and suitor with no chance to marry Locke, since my baby is already committed and very much in love with Keir, thanks, this book is absolutely perfect and I couldn't stop reading it, when I got the earc. I had to devoured it. So good and so recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Estranged spouses will always get me and The Thief and the Traitor Bride is heartbreaking in the best way. Nore and Caspian have betrayed each other, hurt each other so deeply, in the way that only someone we truly love can. There's so much love between them, this devotion, and this love that once was our world. But it's been overwritten by these deep wounds and the scar tissue that formed. With flashbacks, The Thief and Traitor Bride weaves a story which unravels the ways they betrayed each other, lured each other into illusions and love, and dispelled the bubbles of delusion. This is the ultimate example of hate to love you. And we love to see it.
Estranged spouses will always get me and The Thief and the Traitor Bride is heartbreaking in the best way. Nore and Caspian have betrayed each other, hurt each other so deeply, in the way that only someone we truly love can. There's so much love between them, this devotion, and this love that once was our world. But it's been overwritten by these deep wounds and the scar tissue that formed. With flashbacks, The Thief and Traitor Bride weaves a story which unravels the ways they betrayed each other, lured each other into illusions and love, and dispelled the bubbles of delusion. This is the ultimate example of hate to love you. And we love to see it.
Want to Read
December 13, 2025i didn’t realize this was a standalone and while i gave the first book 3 stars, i do still want to read this one to see if there’s an improvement
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews