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Love, Lies and Spies
Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9781250084033
Juliana Telford is not your average nineteenth-century young lady. She’s much more interested in researching ladybugs than marriage, fashionable dresses, or dances. So when her father sends her to London for a season, she’s determined not to form any attachments. Instead, she plans to secretly publish their research.
Spencer Northam is not the average young gentleman of leisure he appears. He is actually a spy for the War Office, and is more focused on acing his first mission than meeting eligible ladies. Fortunately, Juliana feels the same, and they agree to pretend to fall for each other. Spencer can finally focus, until he is tasked with observing Juliana’s traveling companions . . . and Juliana herself.
Juliana Telford is not your average nineteenth-century young lady. She’s much more interested in researching ladybugs than marriage, fashionable dresses, or dances. So when her father sends her to London for a season, she’s determined not to form any attachments. Instead, she plans to secretly publish their research.
Spencer Northam is not the average young gentleman of leisure he appears. He is actually a spy for the War Office, and is more focused on acing his first mission than meeting eligible ladies. Fortunately, Juliana feels the same, and they agree to pretend to fall for each other. Spencer can finally focus, until he is tasked with observing Juliana’s traveling companions . . . and Juliana herself.
368 pages, Paperback
First published April 19, 2016
223 people are currently reading
10951 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Anstey
7 books663 followersCindy fought a courageous (and stubborn) battle with cancer for 10 years. She took delight in proving several doctors’ prognostications wrong, until, finally, the disease won out. Cindy will be greatly missed.
She lived on three continents, had a monkey in her yard and a scorpion under her sink, dwelt among castles and canals and enjoyed the jazz of Beale St.
Cindy loves history, mystery and... a chocolate Labrador called Chester. The Hummingbird Dagger, her first YA mystery, was released April 2019; her second, Deadly Curious, was released in 2020.
She lived on three continents, had a monkey in her yard and a scorpion under her sink, dwelt among castles and canals and enjoyed the jazz of Beale St.
Cindy loves history, mystery and... a chocolate Labrador called Chester. The Hummingbird Dagger, her first YA mystery, was released April 2019; her second, Deadly Curious, was released in 2020.
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February 15, 2021
1.5 stars. Perhaps I would have loved if I hadn't spied so many lies. Everybody kept lying to me, and there was so much telling that I wouldn't have been surprised if I had come across a sentence telling me that this book was fantastic. It was not, but rather tedious, repetitive and underwhelming.
✘ Lie # 1 : "She smiled at the recollection of their lively banter...."
Pray tell. Girl, did that happen off page? Because I did not see that. For one the dialogues were stiff and sounded horribly fake, driving me to roll my eyes while I couldn't help but imagine bad actors blurting these lines. On a second note, this is almost an achievement to create a story which is entirely devoid of any showing. Not an ounce of it. Everything I know I've been told. I saw nothing.
✘ Lie # 2 : Lopsided smiles make for the greatest cuteness.
They do not, especially when they seem to be the only feature of a character's repertoire. That lopsided smile was EVERYWHERE, and I was SO tired of seeing it that it made me want to erase it and - But Spencer! Is! So! Charming! - So you keep saying, I knoooooooow. I shall refrain my urges. More generally, the writing was flooded by clichés : as you may expect, the stomachs flutter, the figures are handsome, the breaths are hold without even knowing they are, the girls smell of roses and the boys of musk, the air feels charged because.... because..... of course because the love interest enters a room. Just like so.
✘ Lie # 3 : Bugs are interesting little creatures.
They have more than 4 legs. Hence, they are not. Okay, I kid, I kid. They must be. Somehow. Yet this is a wonder to me that every quirky female-lead in Historical Romance must be fascinated by these little insects. Weary, me? Naaaah.
✘ Lie # 4 : Things are not what they seem.
Yes they are. When you meet a character and can tell instantly if he nurtures good or bad intentions, well, this is a little insulting for your intelligence to imply that you're going to be surprised. I wasn't. What I was is slightly amused but pretty fast tired of the dramatic inner thoughts that made no sense and that tried to convince me that something was happening when obviously, nothing was. Do not fear, though, if something does happen, you're more likely to have figured it out already (like 100 pages earlier, at the very least).
"He was hit in the face with another table napkin... or was it the same one."
Oh my GOSH I can't bear the suspense!
"Was it too late to claim back his heart and search hers for truth?"
Ten pages later...
"Was it too late to claim back her heart and search his for truth?"
Oh, the drama! Honestly, the whole experience was like having a drunk Greek Chorus stating the obvious and screwing with us. It could work as a parody, though.
✘ Lie # 5 : The characters were interesting and just lovely.
They were not, except maybe if you like reading about one-dimensional characters. Granted, Julianna is far from the worst female-lead I ever read about (this palm would go to Nora, the Queen of the TSTL gang) and I don't dislike her. The problem is, I didn't care at all about her, her life, her rambling and everything in between. Also, what is it with authors and their habit of introducing male-leads as if they were the Spice Girls or some shit? I swear, you can be sure that if two male-lead there are, they will not have the same hair color, that the dark-haired one will be the mysterious one (and the love interest, because duh), that the golden boy will most likely be the nice and inviting one and OH! See? The lopsided smile is definitely a feature of dark-haired boys. Because of reasons. As for the love story, well, it was so very bland. I felt nothing.
► Love, Lies and Spies had almost nothing interesting to offer and I about died of boredom. Not recommended.
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March 2, 2016
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Love, Lies and Spies by Cindy Anstey
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: April 19, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Juliana Telford is not your average nineteenth-century young lady. She’s much more interested in researching ladybugs than marriage, fashionable dresses, or dances. So when her father sends her to London for a season, she’s determined not to form any attachments. Instead, she plans to secretly publish their research.
Spencer Northam is not the average young gentleman of leisure he appears. He is actually a spy for the War Office, and is more focused on acing his first mission than meeting eligible ladies. Fortunately, Juliana feels the same, and they agree to pretend to fall for each other. Spencer can finally focus, until he is tasked with observing Juliana’s traveling companions . . . and Juliana herself.
What I Liked:
Can we all take a moment to admire the gorgeous cover? I have a soft spot for covers that feature a symbol of symbols (versus a person or silhouette), and I absolutely adore this cover. The ARC doesn't quite look like that, so I can't wait to see shiny paperbacks!
In this adorable historical fiction novel, we have Juliana Telford, who is sent to London with her uncle, aunt, and cousin Carrie, to experience her first Season with Carrie. The only reason why Juliana agrees to go? So she can see if her and her father's research on a lady beetle can get published, and the publishers are in London. Meanwhile, we have Spencer Northam, who is a spy working for the War Office. The Pyebalds, a family that is staying with Juliana's family in London, are a family of interest for Spencer; surely they are the culprits behind a scheme that Spencer is investigates. Spencer is determined to complete his mission, but a certain Miss Telford keeps needing to be rescued. Will Spencer risk getting attached, and putting Juliana in danger?
You all know me - I LOVE adult historical romance novels. I devour those like candy. This book is a very YA/PG-13 version of an adult historical romance novel. What I mean by that? This book has the lush historical setting, witty characters and conversation, societal judgments and rules, and all the good stuff of an adult historical romance novel - minus sex and any physical intimacy, really. Super PG-13. My point - I really like this! I love adult historical romance novels and I adore this cute YA historical romance novel.
Juliana is a walking definition of clumsy, or maybe unlucky is a better word. She keeps finding herself in awkward and potentially dangerous situations, which is hilarious. At first I was rolling my eyes, but her missteps became so endearing. It's clear that she has no intention of entrapping any young gentleman, and that all she wants to do is observe beetles and do more research. But her aunt (who is quite nefarious) has other plans.
I love Spencer! He's a spy and still learning, so he's trying really hard to do a good job and complete this assignment. Spencer is a gentleman (though not a lord), and a very attractive and well-off and eligible bachelor. It's no surprise that Lady Pyebald wants her daughter, Vivien, to catch his attention. Nevertheless, Spencer and Juliana interact in the very first scene of the book, and from then on, to each of them, there was been no one else.
I'd also like to mention Lord Bobbington, who is Spencer's peer and friend. He IS a lord, but a bit of a penniless one, at that. He seems to have his attentions set on Vivien. Bobbington is hilarious, and he's always reining in Spencer's temper (especially when it comes to Mr. Pyebald, the Pyebalds' son who has taken an interest in Juliana - or her money, for that matter).
I guess I should talk about the romance! At first I was worried, because in the first scene, Juliana is introduced, as well as two gentlemen (Spencer and Bobbinton). The author actually makes it QUITE clear which gentleman catches Juliana's fancy (the author spends more time describing him), but I was worried that a love triangle might develop.
That did NOT happen. Bobbington sees immediately that Spencer is interested in Juliana (and throughout the book too), and backs right off. Mr. Pyebald also seems to have an interest in Juliana, but he is sleazy and creepy and Juliana does not tolerate his attention AT ALL (go her!). Neither does Spencer, for that matter. *wink* As for Vivien trying to get Spencer's attention - well, her intentions are just as genuine as her brother's towards Juliana, and her attentions are just as ignored. Juliana isn't dumb, and neither is Spencer.
I LOVE that the pair only has eyes for each other, and this is a constant thing throughout the book. So cute, too! She's eighteen and I think he's in his early twenties, and the two of them are like blushing young lovers. Young love, and all that. It's cute! I love watching them interact. I wouldn't say there is insta-love, definitely not on Juliana's part. But they are interested in each other from the start, and they deny feelings as the book goes on, and soon they can't deny them any longer.
Have I mentioned how adorable the romance is? Sweet, too. I love how they get to know each other, and how much they care about each other. There is some subtle swoonage, and there is one really physical swoony scene (only one, at the end, sadly). But lots of cute moments between Spencer and Juliana, I promise!
I hated Juliana's aunt, but I really liked her uncle, and her relationship with him. I also liked Juliana's relationship with her father. Right there, you have two very strong older-man-younger-girl familial relationship, versus a negative, controlling-father-young-daughter relationship. The aunt was controlling, but the uncle was kind, and the father was kind too.
ANYWAY I could probably go on and on but I won't! I have had some success with the Swoon Reads books I've read (hit or miss), but I think this one is my favorite. And I think it's a standalone, which makes my heart melt! The ending was perfect.
What I Did Not Like:
The only thing I have to complain about is that Spencer's spy work isn't obvious in the beginning of the book, and I feel like it took forever for the author to reveal what the assignment was, and what Spencer was trying to do. We're in the dark for so long, so it was difficult to discern what Spencer was doing. Spencer's secrets were hidden from Juliana, but they were also hidden from us readers.
But all was revealed towards the climax of the book, so it wasn't the worst way to set up the plot. I may have to reread this one to fully understand (no complaints about a reread!).
Would I Recommend It:
If you like historical fiction novels, I recommend this one! The author definitely did a great job of capturing a fictional 1800s London (and I feel like I would know, given how many adult historical romance novels I read!). That being said, if you like ADULT historical romance novels but also read YA (like me!), you'll enjoy this one.
Rating:
4 stars. I love this book! And it's a standalone, which I really like. No series to draw things out and mess up the lovely romance (*cough* These Vicious Masks *cough*). I'd love to see the author write a book for Lord Bobbington and, er, his lady friend!
Love, Lies and Spies by Cindy Anstey
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication Date: April 19, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Juliana Telford is not your average nineteenth-century young lady. She’s much more interested in researching ladybugs than marriage, fashionable dresses, or dances. So when her father sends her to London for a season, she’s determined not to form any attachments. Instead, she plans to secretly publish their research.
Spencer Northam is not the average young gentleman of leisure he appears. He is actually a spy for the War Office, and is more focused on acing his first mission than meeting eligible ladies. Fortunately, Juliana feels the same, and they agree to pretend to fall for each other. Spencer can finally focus, until he is tasked with observing Juliana’s traveling companions . . . and Juliana herself.
What I Liked:
Can we all take a moment to admire the gorgeous cover? I have a soft spot for covers that feature a symbol of symbols (versus a person or silhouette), and I absolutely adore this cover. The ARC doesn't quite look like that, so I can't wait to see shiny paperbacks!
In this adorable historical fiction novel, we have Juliana Telford, who is sent to London with her uncle, aunt, and cousin Carrie, to experience her first Season with Carrie. The only reason why Juliana agrees to go? So she can see if her and her father's research on a lady beetle can get published, and the publishers are in London. Meanwhile, we have Spencer Northam, who is a spy working for the War Office. The Pyebalds, a family that is staying with Juliana's family in London, are a family of interest for Spencer; surely they are the culprits behind a scheme that Spencer is investigates. Spencer is determined to complete his mission, but a certain Miss Telford keeps needing to be rescued. Will Spencer risk getting attached, and putting Juliana in danger?
You all know me - I LOVE adult historical romance novels. I devour those like candy. This book is a very YA/PG-13 version of an adult historical romance novel. What I mean by that? This book has the lush historical setting, witty characters and conversation, societal judgments and rules, and all the good stuff of an adult historical romance novel - minus sex and any physical intimacy, really. Super PG-13. My point - I really like this! I love adult historical romance novels and I adore this cute YA historical romance novel.
Juliana is a walking definition of clumsy, or maybe unlucky is a better word. She keeps finding herself in awkward and potentially dangerous situations, which is hilarious. At first I was rolling my eyes, but her missteps became so endearing. It's clear that she has no intention of entrapping any young gentleman, and that all she wants to do is observe beetles and do more research. But her aunt (who is quite nefarious) has other plans.
I love Spencer! He's a spy and still learning, so he's trying really hard to do a good job and complete this assignment. Spencer is a gentleman (though not a lord), and a very attractive and well-off and eligible bachelor. It's no surprise that Lady Pyebald wants her daughter, Vivien, to catch his attention. Nevertheless, Spencer and Juliana interact in the very first scene of the book, and from then on, to each of them, there was been no one else.
I'd also like to mention Lord Bobbington, who is Spencer's peer and friend. He IS a lord, but a bit of a penniless one, at that. He seems to have his attentions set on Vivien. Bobbington is hilarious, and he's always reining in Spencer's temper (especially when it comes to Mr. Pyebald, the Pyebalds' son who has taken an interest in Juliana - or her money, for that matter).
I guess I should talk about the romance! At first I was worried, because in the first scene, Juliana is introduced, as well as two gentlemen (Spencer and Bobbinton). The author actually makes it QUITE clear which gentleman catches Juliana's fancy (the author spends more time describing him), but I was worried that a love triangle might develop.
That did NOT happen. Bobbington sees immediately that Spencer is interested in Juliana (and throughout the book too), and backs right off. Mr. Pyebald also seems to have an interest in Juliana, but he is sleazy and creepy and Juliana does not tolerate his attention AT ALL (go her!). Neither does Spencer, for that matter. *wink* As for Vivien trying to get Spencer's attention - well, her intentions are just as genuine as her brother's towards Juliana, and her attentions are just as ignored. Juliana isn't dumb, and neither is Spencer.
I LOVE that the pair only has eyes for each other, and this is a constant thing throughout the book. So cute, too! She's eighteen and I think he's in his early twenties, and the two of them are like blushing young lovers. Young love, and all that. It's cute! I love watching them interact. I wouldn't say there is insta-love, definitely not on Juliana's part. But they are interested in each other from the start, and they deny feelings as the book goes on, and soon they can't deny them any longer.
Have I mentioned how adorable the romance is? Sweet, too. I love how they get to know each other, and how much they care about each other. There is some subtle swoonage, and there is one really physical swoony scene (only one, at the end, sadly). But lots of cute moments between Spencer and Juliana, I promise!
I hated Juliana's aunt, but I really liked her uncle, and her relationship with him. I also liked Juliana's relationship with her father. Right there, you have two very strong older-man-younger-girl familial relationship, versus a negative, controlling-father-young-daughter relationship. The aunt was controlling, but the uncle was kind, and the father was kind too.
ANYWAY I could probably go on and on but I won't! I have had some success with the Swoon Reads books I've read (hit or miss), but I think this one is my favorite. And I think it's a standalone, which makes my heart melt! The ending was perfect.
What I Did Not Like:
The only thing I have to complain about is that Spencer's spy work isn't obvious in the beginning of the book, and I feel like it took forever for the author to reveal what the assignment was, and what Spencer was trying to do. We're in the dark for so long, so it was difficult to discern what Spencer was doing. Spencer's secrets were hidden from Juliana, but they were also hidden from us readers.
But all was revealed towards the climax of the book, so it wasn't the worst way to set up the plot. I may have to reread this one to fully understand (no complaints about a reread!).
Would I Recommend It:
If you like historical fiction novels, I recommend this one! The author definitely did a great job of capturing a fictional 1800s London (and I feel like I would know, given how many adult historical romance novels I read!). That being said, if you like ADULT historical romance novels but also read YA (like me!), you'll enjoy this one.
Rating:
4 stars. I love this book! And it's a standalone, which I really like. No series to draw things out and mess up the lovely romance (*cough* These Vicious Masks *cough*). I'd love to see the author write a book for Lord Bobbington and, er, his lady friend!
September 21, 2016
The first word that came to my mind when I started Love, Lies and Spies was promising. The second word was slough. I like a good historical fiction or romance spiced with humor and ol' good mystery. But with this book the more I went deeper, the more I sank.
Before I started reading it, I've seen a couple of not so positive reviews, but I didn't read them, because I was the skeptic one, who believed she was the only righteous person among a crowd of unbelievers. Hat down, I admit I was too assertive to even mull over the possibility those people could be right. I paid for it in full. But my "struggle" wasn't in vain: the book served as an excellent hypnotic every night before sleep.
Me during the reading process:
The thing is, this book is not actually bad; the language is definitely superb and in the end of the book there's a nice glossary with explanation of the words author used to match Regency era perfectly. Also, the author loves researching her books thoroughly and that adds an accuracy of historical detail to the story. But all these couldn't save the book from being simply boring. I had no chemistry with the characters nor I felt the chemistry between them. I didn't like anyone in this book; I can't even remember the heroine's name and it wasn't even after I finished the book that I've forgotten it! 20% in and I already couldn't say what was her name. Bobbington, though, I remember; who could forget such funny surname! Back to the topic, it seems this book is good in detail but lacks in emotions. There's no spark in characters. The feeling is as if you are looking at a mannequin dressed according to era and resembling, from the distance, a real person, but at the closer look, it's just a fancy dressed doll, nothing else.
I was reading this book with my partner in researching of a perfect sleeping pill(click to find out her experiment's results), and also, as a side experiment, we not once were mulling over the idea whether this book is about lies or lice? The result, as you can imagine, is unpromising: there's lice everywhere! This is basically what the story is about:
You want spies? You will get only lice!
Verdict: If you want love - look above at the picture. If you want lies - the whole book is one fat boring lie. If you want spies - * looks around* sorry, I can only redirect you to lice section again (sneaky little bastards). If you want an effective sleeping pill - welcome to Love, Lice and Spies Kingdom.
December 30, 2020
4 out of 10
Ревью в моем блоге/This review on my blog
Living A Thousand Lives (please use Chrome/Yandex browser or Android/IOS to see the page; otherwise, spoiler-tags I use to make my post compact may not work)
Genre: YA, historical romance
Stuff: espionage, the Season, lady beetles
Fail: pacing, plot and romance
WOW: stylization
POV: 3rd-person, she/he
Love-Geometry: none
Quote-Core:
"How could he concentrate on the complexities of his mission when his mind was constantly deviating to that lovely, heedless idiot?"
Buddy-read with Nastassja. Poor us, bro. Poor us.
Minor spoilers. Be-slightly-ware.
Love, Lice and Spice - the pet name me and my friends use for this book - isn't a bad thing. It is well-written (I mean the wording, not the plot or the pace), stylized, has a few good moments, but also boring, cliched, and fluffy. It's like a typical adult historical romance with blah-blah-blah, misunderstandings, weird mysteries, stupid kidnappings rescue missions, and sugary happy endings. Only stripped of the fire in people's loins.
We have a chit named Juliana and a young gentlemen named Spencer. Both have their reasons not to marry, both will come to London for their secret goals. Juliana is 19 and clever and all, but for me, she was just annoying and inconsistent most of the time. Spencer is more likable and his story-line is slightly better. The downside is, I didn't feel the chemistry between these two and next to the end didn't give a damn about their future. There were Carrie, Juliana's cousin, and Mr. Bobbington (funny, I know), Spencer's best friend. I think their ship had more chances to shine.
The main mystery was developed badly. I mean, you have no idea what's going on until the big revelation. Moreover, at the moment you already know who are the bad guys but still don't understand what's their problem. Maybe I slept through the hints explanations? 'Cause, the book is far from being exciting and very close to sleeping pills.
I liked how the author handles different accents, how nicely she pictures the regency epoch, how accurate uses facts. But c'funking'mon. This is YA! Show me a young person who prefers details to action and peril and stuff? Adult historical romances might be tedious, but we all know what readers pick up them for. YA historical romances have to have their special feature too. Look at These Vicious Masks. Superpowers, dangerous situations, humor, wits, love (without cliches such as "She heard a soft moan and a hum of pleasure but had no idea which one of them made which sound" (c) Ew). That's a nice cocktail. Alas, drinks with lice aren't tasty.
The worst part of the book is the ending where we find out that all the Pyebalds are psychos, plus we see how Juliana's uncle helps her to find a publisher and then her father confesses that he was eager for their work to be published. So why didn't you talk with your sister's husband before, old man? For the plot's sake, I guess.
I can't recommend this book. The romance is overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time (the characters think only about each other, but do nothing aside from staring), the mystery is confusing, the pacing is screamingly slow. There were a couple of nice scenes, but would you read 350 pages for them? I doubt it.
July 24, 2019
This was a fun read. A Victorian era YA romance with touches of intrigue and suspense. I bought it based on the cover art, which I love! Also this was the book I read while on the elliptical - see books are good for you in so many ways!!
September 10, 2016
An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are my own. This review can also be found at The Starry-Eyed Revue.
Is that cover not adorable?!? If you answered that question with a resounding YES then you will probably like the story on the pages of this book, as well, because it is equally charming. I've really gotten into Regency period romances novels lately, this novel included. I've mentioned before that I think that has to do with the sense of decorum that comes with these stories…but especially when those rules of propriety are inevitably broken.
That being said, I like Juliana's character for the opposite reason. Yes, she is unconventional and a little quirky - and yes, a little single-minded when it comes to the ladybugs she studies - but she doesn't intentionally set out to break the rules or bring shame upon her family as some Regency era heroines are wont to do. Juliana has no desire to end her Season in London by making a match; romance is the furthest thing from her mind. So it goes without saying that any breaches in etiquette on her part are largely due to her need to publish her and her father's findings on the lady beetle so that she may return home and remain his caretaker. No stolen kisses or secret rendezvous in her future; nothing to necessitate a quick match to end a scandal.
And yet, Juliana can't seem to stay out of trouble. Whether it's driving her buggy off the side of a cliff or dealing with insufferable mean girls who are determined to ruin her, she is destined to be a damsel in distress. Which is perfect because Mr. Spencer Northam is perfectly suited to be her knight in shining armor. And he does it so well that the two form a friendship, grounded in their mutual desire to remain unmarried and in control of their futures. I loved their subtle banter and the immediate sense of camaraderie that develops into much more, something neither of them expected.
This story employs the fake relationship trope to an extent but it's very well done. As in, the interfering mothers and aunts are so busy with their machinations that they don't care one iota what their children desire, so it's almost as if Juliana and Spencer's efforts are wasted. Except that they aren't because - as with most stories that involve the fake romance - real feelings develop.
Love, Lies and Spies is an adorable little romp in Regency-era London, perfectly-paced and delightfully entertaining. It had me grinning from ear to ear, cover to cover. And the best part of all is that it seems to be a stand-alone with none of those ridiculous miscommunications. It really was just a pleasure to read!
GIF it to me straight:
Is that cover not adorable?!? If you answered that question with a resounding YES then you will probably like the story on the pages of this book, as well, because it is equally charming. I've really gotten into Regency period romances novels lately, this novel included. I've mentioned before that I think that has to do with the sense of decorum that comes with these stories…but especially when those rules of propriety are inevitably broken.
That being said, I like Juliana's character for the opposite reason. Yes, she is unconventional and a little quirky - and yes, a little single-minded when it comes to the ladybugs she studies - but she doesn't intentionally set out to break the rules or bring shame upon her family as some Regency era heroines are wont to do. Juliana has no desire to end her Season in London by making a match; romance is the furthest thing from her mind. So it goes without saying that any breaches in etiquette on her part are largely due to her need to publish her and her father's findings on the lady beetle so that she may return home and remain his caretaker. No stolen kisses or secret rendezvous in her future; nothing to necessitate a quick match to end a scandal.
And yet, Juliana can't seem to stay out of trouble. Whether it's driving her buggy off the side of a cliff or dealing with insufferable mean girls who are determined to ruin her, she is destined to be a damsel in distress. Which is perfect because Mr. Spencer Northam is perfectly suited to be her knight in shining armor. And he does it so well that the two form a friendship, grounded in their mutual desire to remain unmarried and in control of their futures. I loved their subtle banter and the immediate sense of camaraderie that develops into much more, something neither of them expected.
This story employs the fake relationship trope to an extent but it's very well done. As in, the interfering mothers and aunts are so busy with their machinations that they don't care one iota what their children desire, so it's almost as if Juliana and Spencer's efforts are wasted. Except that they aren't because - as with most stories that involve the fake romance - real feelings develop.
Love, Lies and Spies is an adorable little romp in Regency-era London, perfectly-paced and delightfully entertaining. It had me grinning from ear to ear, cover to cover. And the best part of all is that it seems to be a stand-alone with none of those ridiculous miscommunications. It really was just a pleasure to read!
GIF it to me straight:
March 16, 2016
I love all things Jane Austen, so I was quite interested in this story.
Love love loved Juliana. She's smart and headstrong and knows exactly what she wants. She refuses to be trapped in what society deems to be the proper activities and behaviors for ladies. I truly enjoyed her story. Spencer is adorable when he's interacting with Juliana. The spy side of his story was a bit dry and not nearly as exciting as I was expecting.
Overall, it was a cute read and I look forward to seeing future works from Cindy.
**Huge thanks to Swoon Reads for sending me the arc**
Love love loved Juliana. She's smart and headstrong and knows exactly what she wants. She refuses to be trapped in what society deems to be the proper activities and behaviors for ladies. I truly enjoyed her story. Spencer is adorable when he's interacting with Juliana. The spy side of his story was a bit dry and not nearly as exciting as I was expecting.
Overall, it was a cute read and I look forward to seeing future works from Cindy.
**Huge thanks to Swoon Reads for sending me the arc**
February 12, 2016
Y'know, I stayed up all night--on a SCHOOL NIGHT--to finish this novel. I didn't finish it by the time my alarm rang, of course, but that it was lunch is for.
I just wanted to add that for a bit of insight to show you guys that I was kinda into this book.
I would label this as Regency light. Because that's kind of what it is. The only other novel I can kind of compare this to would be The Dark Days Club but it's without all those life threatening secrets and revelations. It's a cute book, really.
I will say that it is an adorable book with a nice romance, light action, and interesting set of characters.
I liked Julianna because she wasn't the type of female lead--in this era--that actively seeks to break the rules of propriety. Yes, she does enjoy researching insects in her free time, and yes, she might get into sticky situations at times, but she's not setting out to break rules or shame her family. She's quirky and intelligent and an easy character to like. Tends to babble, too.
Spencer, I found to be a more complex due to what kind of situation he's in. He's a spy, set out to finding traitors to the crown and whatnot. He has a tendency to help ladies out of sticky situations and is the type of guy that's laid back and fixes the problem before it can escalate to more.
I enjoyed the romance in this book! While there was the initial attraction of sorts, it wasn't all consuming or, like, insta-love or anything. Despite the ploy they were a part of--sort of "faking" to like each other--seeing them genuinely like one another was a steady process. It wasn't too rushed. They become really good friends first and have their share of light banter before they realise what type of feelings they have regarding one another.
I only had a slight problem with this book. I kind of felt the family Spencer was shadowing wasn't really given a resolution? Like, I remember a certain event near the end of the book (which I clearly won't say more about, because, duh, spoilers), but I don't remember the consequences. It felt a bit rushed. I also found it that Julianna wouldn't want to know more about what exactly Spencer was doing or why he was acting strange at certain points.
Despite that, this was an entertaining read. I'm a bit torn between 3.5 to 4, but I'll just round to 4 stars!
I just wanted to add that for a bit of insight to show you guys that I was kinda into this book.
I would label this as Regency light. Because that's kind of what it is. The only other novel I can kind of compare this to would be The Dark Days Club but it's without all those life threatening secrets and revelations. It's a cute book, really.
I will say that it is an adorable book with a nice romance, light action, and interesting set of characters.
I liked Julianna because she wasn't the type of female lead--in this era--that actively seeks to break the rules of propriety. Yes, she does enjoy researching insects in her free time, and yes, she might get into sticky situations at times, but she's not setting out to break rules or shame her family. She's quirky and intelligent and an easy character to like. Tends to babble, too.
Spencer, I found to be a more complex due to what kind of situation he's in. He's a spy, set out to finding traitors to the crown and whatnot. He has a tendency to help ladies out of sticky situations and is the type of guy that's laid back and fixes the problem before it can escalate to more.
I enjoyed the romance in this book! While there was the initial attraction of sorts, it wasn't all consuming or, like, insta-love or anything. Despite the ploy they were a part of--sort of "faking" to like each other--seeing them genuinely like one another was a steady process. It wasn't too rushed. They become really good friends first and have their share of light banter before they realise what type of feelings they have regarding one another.
I only had a slight problem with this book. I kind of felt the family Spencer was shadowing wasn't really given a resolution? Like, I remember a certain event near the end of the book (which I clearly won't say more about, because, duh, spoilers), but I don't remember the consequences. It felt a bit rushed. I also found it that Julianna wouldn't want to know more about what exactly Spencer was doing or why he was acting strange at certain points.
Despite that, this was an entertaining read. I'm a bit torn between 3.5 to 4, but I'll just round to 4 stars!
June 29, 2016
I would have liked more etymological research and more espionage, but other than that this was cute and a pleasant read. I liked Spencer and Juliana, and appreciated that her cousin a well-meaning if sometimes clueless girl rather than a conniving bitch, as secondary female characters so often are. I'd definitely recommend this more for romance fans than for people looking for suspense.
May 6, 2016
You'll probably know this about me already, but I'm just about to finish my history and ancient history degree. Anything to do with history, and I'm bound to want it. The regency era is one of my favourite eras of history to read about, especially when it is reminiscent of Jane Austen, who is my hero. This book had been on my radar for a while, and when I got a discount voucher for BD on my birthday, I decided to treat myself with a preorder.
Love, Lies and Spies takes place in 1813, right as the Napoleonic Wars are raging. England is fraught with worry about French spies infiltrating Society, and Spencer is charged with discovering a smuggling ring, with ties to the French. As he's closing in on the target, he meets Juliana Telford, seemingly dangling off the side of a cliff. After rescuing her, he seems to fall into her company at every turn, and they decide to join forces to help his friend, Lord Bobbington, woo the lofty Vivian Pyebald.
As Juliana, Vivian, and cousin Carrie journey to London for their presentation at Court, and entrance into their first Season, Juliana and Spencer spend a lot of time together. Juliana knows she has no intention of husband-hunting, she just wants the experience of a London Season before she returns home to care for her father. Spencer feels similarly, he has no intention of finding a bride, yet, as his War Office work takes precedence. However, no one seems to have told their hearts that, as they both fall for each other gradually, and all at once, at the same time.
All of the characters were so entertaining to read. Juliana and Spencer's PoVs were perfect, and I adored how we got to see how they both felt, as they realised it themselves. Even the secondary characters were interesting. My favourites were Lord Bobbington and Carrie, both endearing people in their own rights, but the way they cared for their friends and family made them stronger personas. The entire Pyebald family were awful, and if you've ever read/seen Pride and Prejudice, you'll definitely see links between Mr Pyebald and the wicked Mr Wickham.
If I had to compare this book and these characters to an Austen novel, I'd pick Emma. The friendship between Juliana and Spencer was reminiscent of Emma's and Mr Knightley, as was Emma's family situation. Spencer did have a touch of Mr Darcy in him, though, as was wasn't as forthcoming and outgoing to begin with. To me, nothing can please me more than a book set in this era, that reminds me of the brilliance that is Jane. Anstey's writing style was, to me, an updated version of Austen, and considering this is her debut novel, I'm dying to read more from her.
Love, Lies and Spies takes place in 1813, right as the Napoleonic Wars are raging. England is fraught with worry about French spies infiltrating Society, and Spencer is charged with discovering a smuggling ring, with ties to the French. As he's closing in on the target, he meets Juliana Telford, seemingly dangling off the side of a cliff. After rescuing her, he seems to fall into her company at every turn, and they decide to join forces to help his friend, Lord Bobbington, woo the lofty Vivian Pyebald.
As Juliana, Vivian, and cousin Carrie journey to London for their presentation at Court, and entrance into their first Season, Juliana and Spencer spend a lot of time together. Juliana knows she has no intention of husband-hunting, she just wants the experience of a London Season before she returns home to care for her father. Spencer feels similarly, he has no intention of finding a bride, yet, as his War Office work takes precedence. However, no one seems to have told their hearts that, as they both fall for each other gradually, and all at once, at the same time.
All of the characters were so entertaining to read. Juliana and Spencer's PoVs were perfect, and I adored how we got to see how they both felt, as they realised it themselves. Even the secondary characters were interesting. My favourites were Lord Bobbington and Carrie, both endearing people in their own rights, but the way they cared for their friends and family made them stronger personas. The entire Pyebald family were awful, and if you've ever read/seen Pride and Prejudice, you'll definitely see links between Mr Pyebald and the wicked Mr Wickham.
If I had to compare this book and these characters to an Austen novel, I'd pick Emma. The friendship between Juliana and Spencer was reminiscent of Emma's and Mr Knightley, as was Emma's family situation. Spencer did have a touch of Mr Darcy in him, though, as was wasn't as forthcoming and outgoing to begin with. To me, nothing can please me more than a book set in this era, that reminds me of the brilliance that is Jane. Anstey's writing style was, to me, an updated version of Austen, and considering this is her debut novel, I'm dying to read more from her.
April 27, 2016
Если бы Джулия Куин увлеклась YA, она наверняка написала бы нечто подобное))
Легкое, задорное, светлое и просто мимими.
Героиня мила, неуклюжа, увлечена совсем не тем, чем полагается увлекаться юной леди, и очень непосредственна.
Герой... хочется сказать "прекрасен и таинственен", но до этого ему далеко, ибо он тоже весьма юн )))
Здесь есть все, что нужно хорошему ИЛР: достоверные описания, соответствующие характеры, остроумные диалоги, минимум экшена, несколько загадок и прочая-прочая. Но никакой восставшей плоти, тисканья в графских покоях и вообще интима, ибо YA.
Для любителей нежных историй с забавными и неловкими ситуациями, столкновениями характеров и всяческими недоразумениями.
Да, роман достаточно прост. В чем-то стандартен и предсказуем, но... пресловутые бабочки в животе и не сходящая с лица улыбка о многом говорят.
Легкое, задорное, светлое и просто мимими.
Героиня мила, неуклюжа, увлечена совсем не тем, чем полагается увлекаться юной леди, и очень непосредственна.
Герой... хочется сказать "прекрасен и таинственен", но до этого ему далеко, ибо он тоже весьма юн )))
Здесь есть все, что нужно хорошему ИЛР: достоверные описания, соответствующие характеры, остроумные диалоги, минимум экшена, несколько загадок и прочая-прочая. Но никакой восставшей плоти, тисканья в графских покоях и вообще интима, ибо YA.
Для любителей нежных историй с забавными и неловкими ситуациями, столкновениями характеров и всяческими недоразумениями.
Да, роман достаточно прост. В чем-то стандартен и предсказуем, но... пресловутые бабочки в животе и не сходящая с лица улыбка о многом говорят.
February 3, 2019
I really enjoyed this. It’s fluffy and sweet. I love the friendship b/w Juliana and her cousin, Carrie. And then seeing how their 2 love stories developed. Spencer and Juliana have cute bantering.
Overall, this sweet, light-hearted story has likable characters and a fun, intriguing plot with the mix of spies/espionage and romancing within the historical British upper crust society. I remember reading this on Swoon Reads years ago and I’m glad to say that it’s still wholly enjoyable. 4 stars
Things that you might want to know WARNING: Spoilers below
Happy/satisfying ending
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
Overall, this sweet, light-hearted story has likable characters and a fun, intriguing plot with the mix of spies/espionage and romancing within the historical British upper crust society. I remember reading this on Swoon Reads years ago and I’m glad to say that it’s still wholly enjoyable. 4 stars
Things that you might want to know WARNING: Spoilers below
Happy/satisfying ending
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level?
Tears-worthy?
Humor?
Favorite scenes?
December 5, 2015
An absolutely charming and adorable Regency romp!
I loved that Juliana had an independent and curious streak but still wanted to conform to society etiquette and propriety. She was so lovable and clumsy in an non-annoying way ^_^, and Spencer was always there to swoop in and rescue her, while remaining entirely un-smothering and non-stalkery. The romance is very slow-burn, and there are plenty of London society hijinks and frequent spy action to keep things rolling along.
Also, my favorite romance trope: contrived flirting/dating that turns into something real.
A delight.
I loved that Juliana had an independent and curious streak but still wanted to conform to society etiquette and propriety. She was so lovable and clumsy in an non-annoying way ^_^, and Spencer was always there to swoop in and rescue her, while remaining entirely un-smothering and non-stalkery. The romance is very slow-burn, and there are plenty of London society hijinks and frequent spy action to keep things rolling along.
Also, my favorite romance trope: contrived flirting/dating that turns into something real.
A delight.
April 23, 2016
Review posted on Fafa's Book Corner !
Beware spoilers ahead!
This book was recommended to me by my dear GR friend Cookie! Click on her name to read her review.
I has heard about this book through Cookie's review. At first I didn't think much of it but then it started popping up on GR. After reading the synopsis I didn't hesitate to pre-order this book. I am happy that I enjoyed it!
The book begins with Juliana in a sticky situation. She is dangling of a branch and if she lets go she'll fall. She is really hoping that help arrives soon. But hopes that it isn't a gentlemen who saved her. Much to her dismay there are only gentlemen. She explains the two of them that if she is saved by gentlemen word will get to her Aunt and she won't be allowed to go to London.
Realizing that she has no other choice Juliana expects their help. They agree to keep this a secret between the three of them. They also decide that if they are to meet in person they would pretend to not know each other. With that Juliana goes back home.
Spencer was quite amused by the women he and his best friend Bobbington saved. He really does hope that she keeps the interaction a secret. It would likely ruin his mission otherwise.
I really did not expect to like this book this much! Like seriously it blew my mind! The book is written in third person switching between Spencer and Juliana's point of view. Which does make it interesting to see all the heist and espionage stuff. The writing style was good. And there was a lot of mystery to it. Rather than chapter titles there are chapter headings. Which were funny to read about.
All the characters were well done in this book! Especially there relationships with one-another. Juliana was an interesting character. She was smart and respected herself. I loved reading about her relationship with her cousin Carrie! I didn't really like her Aunt. I felt that she was controlling and condescending. Her uncle and father were sweet. Spencer's character is quite vague But his relationship with Bobbington was nice! As well as his family who come in much later in the book.
Juliana and Spencer were absolutely adorable! There banter was hilarious! On a few occasions I actually laughed out loud which rarely happens! I honestly thought that I didn't like historical romance's before I read this book. The chemistry and the tension between the two of them was well done! And they were so sweet together!
I only had two problems with this book. The heist and espionage stuff was really confusing in the beginning. We are kept in the dark for so long that it was hard to connect the dots. And what I found odd was how Juliana and Spencer would think about their first names. In those days you had to give permission to someone to say your first name. That didn't happen until the end but they still thought each other's first name which was odd.
Overall this was a really good book! I recommend it to anyone looking for light regency and historical romance.
Beware spoilers ahead!
This book was recommended to me by my dear GR friend Cookie! Click on her name to read her review.
I has heard about this book through Cookie's review. At first I didn't think much of it but then it started popping up on GR. After reading the synopsis I didn't hesitate to pre-order this book. I am happy that I enjoyed it!
The book begins with Juliana in a sticky situation. She is dangling of a branch and if she lets go she'll fall. She is really hoping that help arrives soon. But hopes that it isn't a gentlemen who saved her. Much to her dismay there are only gentlemen. She explains the two of them that if she is saved by gentlemen word will get to her Aunt and she won't be allowed to go to London.
Realizing that she has no other choice Juliana expects their help. They agree to keep this a secret between the three of them. They also decide that if they are to meet in person they would pretend to not know each other. With that Juliana goes back home.
Spencer was quite amused by the women he and his best friend Bobbington saved. He really does hope that she keeps the interaction a secret. It would likely ruin his mission otherwise.
I really did not expect to like this book this much! Like seriously it blew my mind! The book is written in third person switching between Spencer and Juliana's point of view. Which does make it interesting to see all the heist and espionage stuff. The writing style was good. And there was a lot of mystery to it. Rather than chapter titles there are chapter headings. Which were funny to read about.
All the characters were well done in this book! Especially there relationships with one-another. Juliana was an interesting character. She was smart and respected herself. I loved reading about her relationship with her cousin Carrie! I didn't really like her Aunt. I felt that she was controlling and condescending. Her uncle and father were sweet. Spencer's character is quite vague But his relationship with Bobbington was nice! As well as his family who come in much later in the book.
Juliana and Spencer were absolutely adorable! There banter was hilarious! On a few occasions I actually laughed out loud which rarely happens! I honestly thought that I didn't like historical romance's before I read this book. The chemistry and the tension between the two of them was well done! And they were so sweet together!
I only had two problems with this book. The heist and espionage stuff was really confusing in the beginning. We are kept in the dark for so long that it was hard to connect the dots. And what I found odd was how Juliana and Spencer would think about their first names. In those days you had to give permission to someone to say your first name. That didn't happen until the end but they still thought each other's first name which was odd.
Overall this was a really good book! I recommend it to anyone looking for light regency and historical romance.
September 15, 2019
Anstey has written a young-adult, mystery/romance set in Regency England. Julianna Telford isn’t your typical 19th-century lady. She is more interested in studying ladybugs than on finding a husband. She’s going along with her cousin to London for the season with hopes that she’ll have some time to find a publisher for her research. Spencer Northam isn’t an ordinary 19th-century gentleman. He’s actually a spy for the War Office. When his assignment involves keeping an eye on Juliana and her friends, they are thrown together more often than not.
I really enjoyed this fun, fast read. I could definitely hear the echo of Jane Austen. I liked Julianna’s spunk, intelligence and insistence on doing things her way (as much as she could get away within the restrictions of the times and her social standing). I also liked the slow-burn pace of the central romance. I did figure out the master spy / traitor ahead of the reveal, but not by much. Nicely done!
I really enjoyed this fun, fast read. I could definitely hear the echo of Jane Austen. I liked Julianna’s spunk, intelligence and insistence on doing things her way (as much as she could get away within the restrictions of the times and her social standing). I also liked the slow-burn pace of the central romance. I did figure out the master spy / traitor ahead of the reveal, but not by much. Nicely done!
May 18, 2016
This book is such a disappointment!
I have no desire to write a full review. I just want to say, that this "masterpiece" is a cheap historical novel.
The main characters could not stop thinking about each other. And that's all that happened in the book. No true spies. No adventure. Just some irritation.
I have no desire to write a full review. I just want to say, that this "masterpiece" is a cheap historical novel.
The main characters could not stop thinking about each other. And that's all that happened in the book. No true spies. No adventure. Just some irritation.
September 17, 2016
DNF
I really wanted to enjoy this one, but I never could fully get into it...
There was just... Nothing happening in it... Just repetitive scenes :/
I really wanted to enjoy this one, but I never could fully get into it...
There was just... Nothing happening in it... Just repetitive scenes :/
February 24, 2017
4 stars easily!!!
As a huge fan of Georgette Heyer while growing up, I was really keen to start on this novel as it was based on the regency period. Once I got started, I was just swept away into the lush setting of the story and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed every written word. Cindy Anstey's flawless style of writing was very apt for the period. From the descriptions of the dresses, houses and the use of language, by the end, I was very glad to have picked up the book after all those fantasy reads. It was a pleasant respite for sure.
The MC Juliana Telford was a strong, independent young girl with a passion for lady beetles and natural sciences. She also appears to be very clumsy and gets herself into a series of unfortunate scrapes. However, I found her to be easily relatable. I liked that she had a mind of her own and was not caught up in the frivolities of the London Season but instead was focused on getting her research published. For women of that era, this was a bold move. I also found Mr. Northam to be a charming character. He was every bit a true gentleman and also quite handsome. The romance at the heart of the story was definitely swoon-worthy and a slow build. The interactions between Juliana and Spencer were so beautiful. I couldn't get enough of it.
The minor characters were equally endearing to the story. I liked how the author managed to give them side stories as well especially in the case of Miss Carrie Reeves and Bobbington. I felt that this elevated the novel and fleshed out the characters. It also lent the overall story more dimension and realism.
However, my only negative would be that the aspect of espionage that the novel was based on was severely underdeveloped. It was very hard to understand what Mr. Northam's role was at the War Office and the reason for his investigations. The revelations regarding this were mediocre at best and didn't really captivate me. I feel that since the author didn't approach the story from this angle and put more attention towards the budding romance between Ms. Telford and Mr. Northam, this part took a back seat. Thus, it felt like a side plot and reading those parts felt rather awkward and apart from the actual story. I felt it was just a page filler and nothing else. Hence, my reason for deducting a star.
Overall, I did enjoy the novel as a whole and would recommend the story if you need a break from all the contemporary YA stories out there. Also if you are a fan of historical fiction, then you might like it too if not for the spies then definitely for the romance.
As a huge fan of Georgette Heyer while growing up, I was really keen to start on this novel as it was based on the regency period. Once I got started, I was just swept away into the lush setting of the story and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed every written word. Cindy Anstey's flawless style of writing was very apt for the period. From the descriptions of the dresses, houses and the use of language, by the end, I was very glad to have picked up the book after all those fantasy reads. It was a pleasant respite for sure.
The MC Juliana Telford was a strong, independent young girl with a passion for lady beetles and natural sciences. She also appears to be very clumsy and gets herself into a series of unfortunate scrapes. However, I found her to be easily relatable. I liked that she had a mind of her own and was not caught up in the frivolities of the London Season but instead was focused on getting her research published. For women of that era, this was a bold move. I also found Mr. Northam to be a charming character. He was every bit a true gentleman and also quite handsome. The romance at the heart of the story was definitely swoon-worthy and a slow build. The interactions between Juliana and Spencer were so beautiful. I couldn't get enough of it.
The minor characters were equally endearing to the story. I liked how the author managed to give them side stories as well especially in the case of Miss Carrie Reeves and Bobbington. I felt that this elevated the novel and fleshed out the characters. It also lent the overall story more dimension and realism.
However, my only negative would be that the aspect of espionage that the novel was based on was severely underdeveloped. It was very hard to understand what Mr. Northam's role was at the War Office and the reason for his investigations. The revelations regarding this were mediocre at best and didn't really captivate me. I feel that since the author didn't approach the story from this angle and put more attention towards the budding romance between Ms. Telford and Mr. Northam, this part took a back seat. Thus, it felt like a side plot and reading those parts felt rather awkward and apart from the actual story. I felt it was just a page filler and nothing else. Hence, my reason for deducting a star.
Overall, I did enjoy the novel as a whole and would recommend the story if you need a break from all the contemporary YA stories out there. Also if you are a fan of historical fiction, then you might like it too if not for the spies then definitely for the romance.
September 17, 2016
EDIT 25/07 : Yeah, this one definitely doesn't deserve 3 stars, so I change my rating to 2.
---------
I might have to restrain my previous enthusiasm for this one.
This book was my rebound book, and as any rebound...thing, it was appropriate at the moment and maybe a bit less a few days after you're no longer in need of an easy consolation prize.
Love, Lies and Spies is a very cute little book and it will be perfect for you if you're in need of a light and not very steamy historical YA romance. There is a sort of spy-plot but it's quite simple and not captivating, even if there's an obvious effort to not make this book only about romance.
I enjoyed the characters though ! Juliana Telford is an independant young woman trying to evolve in the nineteenth century the best she can without following the rules and Spencer Northam (his name sounds so right for this kind of story !) is our typical dark hair dude with sky-blue eyes and, yes, the infamous lopsided smile. Not original but a classic that usually works...
Girls and boys are very sentimental, it can be hilarious every now and then but after a while it gets exasperating. Exasperating is a bit strong, but you get the feeling...
It's basically a book about courtship.
It's cute.
It smells like roses and dewdrops.
It definitely doesn't deserve three stars but I want to give it three stars anyway, because it did its rebound job.
---------
I might have to restrain my previous enthusiasm for this one.
This book was my rebound book, and as any rebound...thing, it was appropriate at the moment and maybe a bit less a few days after you're no longer in need of an easy consolation prize.
Love, Lies and Spies is a very cute little book and it will be perfect for you if you're in need of a light and not very steamy historical YA romance. There is a sort of spy-plot but it's quite simple and not captivating, even if there's an obvious effort to not make this book only about romance.
I enjoyed the characters though ! Juliana Telford is an independant young woman trying to evolve in the nineteenth century the best she can without following the rules and Spencer Northam (his name sounds so right for this kind of story !) is our typical dark hair dude with sky-blue eyes and, yes, the infamous lopsided smile. Not original but a classic that usually works...
Girls and boys are very sentimental, it can be hilarious every now and then but after a while it gets exasperating. Exasperating is a bit strong, but you get the feeling...
It's basically a book about courtship.
It's cute.
It smells like roses and dewdrops.
It definitely doesn't deserve three stars but I want to give it three stars anyway, because it did its rebound job.
June 5, 2017
3.5
A cute, historical rom-com with nary a love triangle in sight!
Juliana is off to have her Season with her younger-by-one-year cousin, but Juliana is more interested in visiting London for the sites, entertainment and publishing opportunities it presents than to try and find a suitable match.
Spencer is also off to London for the Season, but in pursuit of a traitor to the Crown.
After entering a mildly flirtatious friendship after a chance encounter - on a clifftop, no less - the two decide to enter into an arrangement of a fake romance so that they can both go after their individual pursuits without the bother of actual suitors.
Of course, this doesn't remotely work as planned.
I quite enjoyed the romance aspect of the story. It was fun and frothy and just the palate cleanser I needed.
The mystery/spy aspect was less developed, and I'd be disappointed if I was more interested in that aspect of the story. But I found the characters charming - though the secondary characters could've stood a bit more development and involvement in the story.
Definitely a book I may read again next time I'm looking for something light and frivolous.
A cute, historical rom-com with nary a love triangle in sight!
Juliana is off to have her Season with her younger-by-one-year cousin, but Juliana is more interested in visiting London for the sites, entertainment and publishing opportunities it presents than to try and find a suitable match.
Spencer is also off to London for the Season, but in pursuit of a traitor to the Crown.
After entering a mildly flirtatious friendship after a chance encounter - on a clifftop, no less - the two decide to enter into an arrangement of a fake romance so that they can both go after their individual pursuits without the bother of actual suitors.
Of course, this doesn't remotely work as planned.
I quite enjoyed the romance aspect of the story. It was fun and frothy and just the palate cleanser I needed.
The mystery/spy aspect was less developed, and I'd be disappointed if I was more interested in that aspect of the story. But I found the characters charming - though the secondary characters could've stood a bit more development and involvement in the story.
Definitely a book I may read again next time I'm looking for something light and frivolous.
May 23, 2016
Whew, that was a challenge to get through. I feel like I ran an SAT-vocab marathon.
Every time I picked up this book I found myself finding something else to do to avoid it. That is NEVER what you want your readers to feel. I would not have finished it if it wasn't for book club.
This book is definitely an homage to Jane Austen, but unfortunately the author is definitely not Jane Austen. The problems I had with it are two-fold: The writing is extremely dense and nothing really exciting happens.
I'm just going to put these quotes here:
His sire, Theodore Northam, had yielded to the call of the netherworld while Spencer was just entering adolescence.
“Am I that much of a gabster, Mr. Northam, that a modicum of silence denotes an ailing disposition?”
"I did not twig to your may game at all.”
Who talks like this?? Who?? Did people ACTUALLY talk like this in 1815? Why couldn't you just write, 'His father had died when Spencer was young.'? BOOM. Same message, much, much easier to understand.
Look, I understand what she was going for. There was an affected style she was committing to, and, by God, did she commit. This author clearly loves words, and I can appreciate that. I saw some oldies but goodies that are never trotted out anymore and learned some new ones myself (like bluestocking. Interesting! Saw it in two books in a row, as I am apparently on a historical kick). But good writing is knowing when and where to use fancy-pants words judiciously, not just stick them in one after another all higgledy–piggledy. Each unnecessarily big word just snags your eye and brings the reading momentum to a complete halt.
The second problem with this book is the pacing and plot. There isn't much of it. Maybe my expectations were just too high, but I was expecting Juliana to get pulled into some espionage intrigue and for there to be some really high stakes all around. Spoiler alert: there wasn't. There was some letters being exchanged and something that happened in the end near a cliff that was barely worth a page of action before we were back to settling the romance business. Seriously. All Spencer did was spy on Juliana's group for the entire novel.
The lady beetle (I really hate this term now) that Juliana was so obsessed with just screamed 'look at this quirky personality trait that this otherwise fairly normal Elizabeth Bennett ripoff has!' We're told in the synopsis that Juliana hates dresses and parties and the like, but there's plenty of mention where she actually rather enjoys the way she looks in a gown, has fun dancing at parties and, in general, bucks no conventional expectations. And that's fine, she doesn't have to but...I feel like I was led to believe she was going to DO something more fun than sneak out--with her maid's approval, no less--to take a walk.
I could go on, but there's no point. If you ever saw some words in a thesaurus and wondered, 'hmm, how would they be used in a sentence?' then by all means, please take a crack at this one.
Every time I picked up this book I found myself finding something else to do to avoid it. That is NEVER what you want your readers to feel. I would not have finished it if it wasn't for book club.
This book is definitely an homage to Jane Austen, but unfortunately the author is definitely not Jane Austen. The problems I had with it are two-fold: The writing is extremely dense and nothing really exciting happens.
I'm just going to put these quotes here:
His sire, Theodore Northam, had yielded to the call of the netherworld while Spencer was just entering adolescence.
“Am I that much of a gabster, Mr. Northam, that a modicum of silence denotes an ailing disposition?”
"I did not twig to your may game at all.”
Who talks like this?? Who?? Did people ACTUALLY talk like this in 1815? Why couldn't you just write, 'His father had died when Spencer was young.'? BOOM. Same message, much, much easier to understand.
Look, I understand what she was going for. There was an affected style she was committing to, and, by God, did she commit. This author clearly loves words, and I can appreciate that. I saw some oldies but goodies that are never trotted out anymore and learned some new ones myself (like bluestocking. Interesting! Saw it in two books in a row, as I am apparently on a historical kick). But good writing is knowing when and where to use fancy-pants words judiciously, not just stick them in one after another all higgledy–piggledy. Each unnecessarily big word just snags your eye and brings the reading momentum to a complete halt.
The second problem with this book is the pacing and plot. There isn't much of it. Maybe my expectations were just too high, but I was expecting Juliana to get pulled into some espionage intrigue and for there to be some really high stakes all around. Spoiler alert: there wasn't. There was some letters being exchanged and something that happened in the end near a cliff that was barely worth a page of action before we were back to settling the romance business. Seriously. All Spencer did was spy on Juliana's group for the entire novel.
The lady beetle (I really hate this term now) that Juliana was so obsessed with just screamed 'look at this quirky personality trait that this otherwise fairly normal Elizabeth Bennett ripoff has!' We're told in the synopsis that Juliana hates dresses and parties and the like, but there's plenty of mention where she actually rather enjoys the way she looks in a gown, has fun dancing at parties and, in general, bucks no conventional expectations. And that's fine, she doesn't have to but...I feel like I was led to believe she was going to DO something more fun than sneak out--with her maid's approval, no less--to take a walk.
I could go on, but there's no point. If you ever saw some words in a thesaurus and wondered, 'hmm, how would they be used in a sentence?' then by all means, please take a crack at this one.
April 11, 2017
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: https://bookbriefs.net**Swoon Reads has done it again! Love, Lies and Spies is one of my favorite books of 2016. It is a young adult historical romance by Cindy Anstey, and I refuse to believe this is actually Cindy's debut novel. Young Adult historical is a genre that I don't read too much of...not because I don't enjoy it. When it is is well done, I love it. But I am super picky when it comes to the writing and world building in my historical books. And Cindy Anstey has the historical writing IT FACTOR in spades. I felt like I was reading a young adult Oscar Wilde. Love Lies and Spies to me is the modern day Importance of Being Earnest...you know, with spies. If you haven't read it already, you need to read this book. It is hands, down, one of the best young adult historical romances I have ever read
I loved the Regency wit and charm. Flirting in their flowery way just seems so much more fun to me. And both Julianna and Spencer were witty and sharp tongued, just the way I like my characters to be. Love Lies and Spies is such a romantic book. I think it would make an excellent movie or play. I just want to see more of my (yes, my) swoonworthy Spencer. Not only is Love Lies and Spies making my top books of 2016 list, but Spencer is making my top book boyfriends of 2016 list as well.
Love Lies and Spies is told in dual narrative between Julianna and Spencer, two characters who were thrown into the dating season against their best efforts. Neither one of them is looking for a marriage, but they each have their own reasons and agendas for being in London. Julianna wants to get her research on the Lady Beetle published and Spencer is a spy for the War Office. I knew this was going to be a romance from the start, but I was very surprised to see just how romantic of a book this was. It made me feel all sappy and warm inside. I think that is part of the magic of a historical fiction book if it is well done. Everything makes it feel more romantic; the flowery over the top language, the setting, the wit and charm of the period- all of it works for me. Cindy Anstey has a fan in me. She impressed me big time with this book. I cannot praise it enough.
Bottom line: If you are a lover of historical fiction, read Love Lies and Spies. If you are new to the genre or a reluctant reader, read Love Lies and Spies. It is that simple. Just read this book. I think it is one of the best books of 2016.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
I loved the Regency wit and charm. Flirting in their flowery way just seems so much more fun to me. And both Julianna and Spencer were witty and sharp tongued, just the way I like my characters to be. Love Lies and Spies is such a romantic book. I think it would make an excellent movie or play. I just want to see more of my (yes, my) swoonworthy Spencer. Not only is Love Lies and Spies making my top books of 2016 list, but Spencer is making my top book boyfriends of 2016 list as well.
Love Lies and Spies is told in dual narrative between Julianna and Spencer, two characters who were thrown into the dating season against their best efforts. Neither one of them is looking for a marriage, but they each have their own reasons and agendas for being in London. Julianna wants to get her research on the Lady Beetle published and Spencer is a spy for the War Office. I knew this was going to be a romance from the start, but I was very surprised to see just how romantic of a book this was. It made me feel all sappy and warm inside. I think that is part of the magic of a historical fiction book if it is well done. Everything makes it feel more romantic; the flowery over the top language, the setting, the wit and charm of the period- all of it works for me. Cindy Anstey has a fan in me. She impressed me big time with this book. I cannot praise it enough.
Bottom line: If you are a lover of historical fiction, read Love Lies and Spies. If you are new to the genre or a reluctant reader, read Love Lies and Spies. It is that simple. Just read this book. I think it is one of the best books of 2016.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
October 19, 2015
Swoon Reads sent me an Advanced Reader's Edition of Love, Lies, & Spies and I'm soooo glad I had the opportunity to read this gem before it hits stores. I've been on a huge Regency kick after discovering Austenland (the movie and the books), so I was definitely in the mood to dive right into Juliana and Spencer's story.
Juliana is a great heroine. Unlike other MCs who are clumsy, Juliana's sense of clumsiness often gets her into interesting scrapes (and into the arms of a certain gentleman, haha). Any peril she puts herself in has to do with her exercising her independence and defying what her more difficult family members expect from her. She'd rather be studying ladybugs with her father than attend balls and look for a husband. It's beyond cute that Spencer also has the same desire not to wed - but for him, it's because he has a rather new career working for the War Office.
SPENCER. He's adorable. One of my book boyfriend weaknesses is a lopsided smile, so my heart started beating a little faster the minute he did just that in the first scene where he and Juliana meet (The cliff scene = perfection). His rescuing, knight in shining armor tendencies are endearing rather than overbearing, which was refreshing. It was so much fun to look into both Juliana and Spencer's heads to see that they were thinking the same things (like trying to ignore their growing feelings for each other), though neither would know.
The minor characters were delightful. I love Juliana's dad - reminded me of Emma's father - and the friendship between Juliana and her cousin Carrie was great. Bobbington was my favorite minor character. I mean, HIS NAME. I was so shocked and excited to learn that he had secrets of his own later in the book, and it made me love him even more.
Look no further for an adorable Regency story with irresistible characters!
Juliana is a great heroine. Unlike other MCs who are clumsy, Juliana's sense of clumsiness often gets her into interesting scrapes (and into the arms of a certain gentleman, haha). Any peril she puts herself in has to do with her exercising her independence and defying what her more difficult family members expect from her. She'd rather be studying ladybugs with her father than attend balls and look for a husband. It's beyond cute that Spencer also has the same desire not to wed - but for him, it's because he has a rather new career working for the War Office.
SPENCER. He's adorable. One of my book boyfriend weaknesses is a lopsided smile, so my heart started beating a little faster the minute he did just that in the first scene where he and Juliana meet (The cliff scene = perfection). His rescuing, knight in shining armor tendencies are endearing rather than overbearing, which was refreshing. It was so much fun to look into both Juliana and Spencer's heads to see that they were thinking the same things (like trying to ignore their growing feelings for each other), though neither would know.
The minor characters were delightful. I love Juliana's dad - reminded me of Emma's father - and the friendship between Juliana and her cousin Carrie was great. Bobbington was my favorite minor character. I mean, HIS NAME. I was so shocked and excited to learn that he had secrets of his own later in the book, and it made me love him even more.
Look no further for an adorable Regency story with irresistible characters!
October 1, 2017
I could hardly wait to read Love, Lies and Spies. I mean, look at that description and that cover. And what a fun read it turned out to be. I suppose your enjoyment of this book will depend on what your expectations are when you pick it up. For me it was mostly what I thought it would be, a Regency era romance with a little intrigue that starred a rather unconventional heroine. If the book has a weakness it is that there is not enough of the intrigue, and maybe not quite enough character development. For the most part I found it to be very amusing and super cute. It's definitely in the vein of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer.
There were a couple of things that I thought were quite refreshing about this book. The first is that the tired old plot device of misunderstandings and not communicating used in a lot of historical romance was absent. Thank heavens for that! The second is that the main character was never really bothered by the rival trying to steal away her man. She was confident and knew he was interested in her and not the other girl. I really liked that we had two smart, confident characters in this book who really only had eyes for each other. They didn't resort to childishness or jump to conclusions when something went wrong or they didn't know what was going on.
Love, Lies and Spies was a fun, light, romantic read and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
There were a couple of things that I thought were quite refreshing about this book. The first is that the tired old plot device of misunderstandings and not communicating used in a lot of historical romance was absent. Thank heavens for that! The second is that the main character was never really bothered by the rival trying to steal away her man. She was confident and knew he was interested in her and not the other girl. I really liked that we had two smart, confident characters in this book who really only had eyes for each other. They didn't resort to childishness or jump to conclusions when something went wrong or they didn't know what was going on.
Love, Lies and Spies was a fun, light, romantic read and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
July 1, 2016
4.5☆
I finished this book yesterday and it was just epic cuteness. It's a YA historical romance that, although it isn't overly unique, is warm and inviting and has a bit of intrigue. I got exactly what I needed from it and that was a huge smile on my face for 100% of the book
I finished this book yesterday and it was just epic cuteness. It's a YA historical romance that, although it isn't overly unique, is warm and inviting and has a bit of intrigue. I got exactly what I needed from it and that was a huge smile on my face for 100% of the book
May 31, 2025
rtc
⋆⭒˚｡⋆ ୭ | pre-read
needed a quick read, so that i don't fall into a slump. goodreads recommended it, hopefully i have fun. i definitely need to get back into historical fiction.
April 26, 2016
So here I am, Miss Contemporary Girl, venturing into the world of historical YA again. I’m really trying (a lot, actually!) to venture out of my comfort zone this year. I’ve read a handful of historical novels (all YA) and though I’m still struggling with them quite a bit, I have been enjoying them.
Juliana is my kind of MC. Totally clumsy and accident-prone, she made me chuckle quite a bit. But she’s not all stumbles and falls… she’s also quite thick-headed, intelligent, and even stubborn at times. I’ve noticed that women in historical books are often not as confident and strong as I would like, but Juliana definitely was! Her family (specifically her aunt) was pretty horrific, yet she never let it stop her. She was on a mission, and nothing was going to stand in her way.
Spencer was pretty entertaining as well. Though I didn’t connect with him quite as early on, in the second half of the book I definitely did. It says in the synopsis that Spencer is a spy, but I felt as though, as the reader, we weren’t really aware of what he was doing for the beginning of the book. I was kind of lost on what his purpose was. But once it was addressed, from there I was a happy camper.
Juliana is my kind of MC. Totally clumsy and accident-prone, she made me chuckle quite a bit. But she’s not all stumbles and falls… she’s also quite thick-headed, intelligent, and even stubborn at times. I’ve noticed that women in historical books are often not as confident and strong as I would like, but Juliana definitely was! Her family (specifically her aunt) was pretty horrific, yet she never let it stop her. She was on a mission, and nothing was going to stand in her way.
Spencer was pretty entertaining as well. Though I didn’t connect with him quite as early on, in the second half of the book I definitely did. It says in the synopsis that Spencer is a spy, but I felt as though, as the reader, we weren’t really aware of what he was doing for the beginning of the book. I was kind of lost on what his purpose was. But once it was addressed, from there I was a happy camper.
January 27, 2018
After languishing on my Kindle for nearly a year, I finally decided to read Love, Lies & Spies and found myself utterly charmed. With a heroine who loves bugs more than romance, and a dashing spy-in-training hero, Cindy Anstey's debut is a tribute to Austen infused with a modern dash of humor, the like of which I rarely see in a romance of this ilk outside the covers of a classic Georgette Heyer Regency. While the pacing is occasionally somewhat sluggish, as the attempt to broaden the scope and ramifications of the spying plotline distracted from the romance, I found myself thoroughly engaged by the story's fresh energy and the charm of Antsey's characters. Looking forward to reading her other works!
August 28, 2016
Total cotton candy regency fluff :3 The premise & dialogue will make a normal person roll their eyes so hard they'll pop out, but if you're in the right mood for fluff then oh my god this will hit the spot.
May 17, 2018
Cute, quirky, and fun. Main characters are fun and lovable, but the plot is meh and runs a little too long.
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