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Agent Ex #1
The Spy Who Left Me: An Agent Ex Series Novel
See why readers are saying, "OMG!!! This book is a must read." TEMPTATION IN THE TROPICS... One person you never want to meet on your vacation is your ex. Certainly not your almost-ex husband. But when that almost-ex is a spy who's vanished on a top-secret mission before you can serve him divorce papers, a chance meeting might either be your silver lining, or your destruction. Treflee Miller is so done being a spy’s wife. When she goes to Hawaii with a partying group of bridesmaids, she doesn't expect to run into her soon-to be ex-husband Ty, undercover and on a mission. If only she had the divorce papers on her! If only Ty wasn't so tempting, tanned, muscular, and completely gorgeous, with that sexy grin that always turns her on. If only her heart didn't still react to him so traitorously. If only acknowledging that they even know each other wouldn't get them both killed... “Punctuated with Bondworthy downhill car and bike chases and near-death surfing parties, Robinson’s clever concoction of lust and longing is a refreshing tropical cocktail.”— Publishers Weekly “At times laugh-out-loud funny, Robinson's foray into the world of James Bond has its poignant side, assuring that readers will be back for more.”— Booklist “This first Agent Ex novel is good, old-fashioned fun. Full of laughter, intrigue, and, of course, steamy spies, it’s a great weekend escape. Robinson knows how to balance a book with lighthearted romps and serious romance.” — RT Book Reviews >>>Romantic Comedy >>>Humorous Romantic Suspense >>>Spy Romance >>>Vacation Romance >>>Women's Fiction Humorous >>>Romantic mystery & suspense Scroll up and grab a copy today.
390 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
253 people are currently reading
1238 people want to read
About the author
Gina Robinson
89 books502 followersRomance addict. Hopeless daydreamer. People watcher. Total romantic at heart.
That's me. When I'm lost in a good book a nuclear bomb could go off next to me - I wouldn't flinch. I'm not afraid to read in public and laugh until my eyes water and my sides hurt. I'll cry at a tender moment. Dab my eyes when a couple finally realizes they're in love. Race with my heart pounding to the end of an adventure. Give me a little mystery – now I'm really intrigued.
I'll fall in love with a hot, witty hero any day of the week. Shhh. Just between you and me? My biggest turn-on? A man with a sense of humor. Let me melt now. I'm hooked.
Give me billionaires, modern-day dukes and royals. Give me hot, witty nerds, and intelligent men.
Marriages of convenience? Fake relationships? Second-chance romances? I'm in!
I write books that I want to read. That make me laugh. That make my heart race. If any of this sounds good to you, join me! If you want to be sure to hear when I have a new release, visit me at www.ginarobinson.com and sign up for my newsletter.
That's me. When I'm lost in a good book a nuclear bomb could go off next to me - I wouldn't flinch. I'm not afraid to read in public and laugh until my eyes water and my sides hurt. I'll cry at a tender moment. Dab my eyes when a couple finally realizes they're in love. Race with my heart pounding to the end of an adventure. Give me a little mystery – now I'm really intrigued.
I'll fall in love with a hot, witty hero any day of the week. Shhh. Just between you and me? My biggest turn-on? A man with a sense of humor. Let me melt now. I'm hooked.
Give me billionaires, modern-day dukes and royals. Give me hot, witty nerds, and intelligent men.
Marriages of convenience? Fake relationships? Second-chance romances? I'm in!
I write books that I want to read. That make me laugh. That make my heart race. If any of this sounds good to you, join me! If you want to be sure to hear when I have a new release, visit me at www.ginarobinson.com and sign up for my newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
September 17, 2011
This was a most enjoyable, happy surprise. Light spy romance done well. I don't like estranged married couple romance, but this author's handling of it hits my normally sour notes with this theme with clear, perfect tones. I finished this with a happy smile on my face.
I recommend it!
Reviewed in full for the November 2011 issue of Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
I recommend it!
Reviewed in full for the November 2011 issue of Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
October 12, 2012
meh with a bit of irritation.
Ty was a selfish jerk and a bully. Treflee (which is the most ridiculous name I have ever come across... I kept reading it as tree flea and thought of bugs) was a mary sue who caved and pretty much regressed to a 50's stereotype of a woman. It the end it seems like Ty got everything he wanted with no compromise or change at all cuz he was a almighty and powerful government spy. Treflee gave in for *everything* and even agreed to change herself!?! even though she had a very valid reason and reasoning for wanting to get a divorce. This could have been a lot more engaging and fun but it fell flat pretty quickly. I couldn't empathize or engage with the main couple and was actively rooting for them to break it off. I was really looking forward to this book as the premise sound promising. About 71% in and about to through in the towel... ok.. now I'm done... Ty is being an *ss about something that was huge and important to Treflee and we are expected to be on his side!?!? DNF...
Ty was a selfish jerk and a bully. Treflee (which is the most ridiculous name I have ever come across... I kept reading it as tree flea and thought of bugs) was a mary sue who caved and pretty much regressed to a 50's stereotype of a woman. It the end it seems like Ty got everything he wanted with no compromise or change at all cuz he was a almighty and powerful government spy. Treflee gave in for *everything* and even agreed to change herself!?! even though she had a very valid reason and reasoning for wanting to get a divorce. This could have been a lot more engaging and fun but it fell flat pretty quickly. I couldn't empathize or engage with the main couple and was actively rooting for them to break it off. I was really looking forward to this book as the premise sound promising. About 71% in and about to through in the towel... ok.. now I'm done... Ty is being an *ss about something that was huge and important to Treflee and we are expected to be on his side!?!? DNF...
September 28, 2015
The Spy Who Left Me (Agent Ex #1) is one of those books where the plot is totally implausible but is such a good fun time read. It’s a fluffy, adorable and laugh out loud romance that takes place in the exotic setting of Hawaii. It also features a married hero and heroine who are on the verge of divorce, or rather, the heroine wants the divorce because her spy husband is never around and he wasn’t there for her during a really rough time when he should have been. Treflee Miller (Treflee is a nickname and one that made me go WTF at first) is fed up with her James Bond type husband Ty. When they were first married, she was all for Ty going off and saving the world, but now she wants a more stable home life and children. Ty is oblivious to this, but won’t be for long when Treflee serves him divorce papers. She just has to find him first.
There aren’t too many love scenes but the internal dialogue Treflee and Ty have about one another sets the romantic mood. The payoff is some nice waterfall loving.
Gina Robinson is a new to me author and one I’m so happy I found.
There aren’t too many love scenes but the internal dialogue Treflee and Ty have about one another sets the romantic mood. The payoff is some nice waterfall loving.
Gina Robinson is a new to me author and one I’m so happy I found.
October 12, 2015
I thought the concept to be fun. But the characters are hard to connect with. She encouraged him to become a spy and then changed the rules on him? That's not fair. And her name was hard to deal with too. Treflee? What kind of name is that?
My biggest problem with the book is the attitude towards Asians. It seems like all Asians in the book are labeled Chinese. In a place where there are many different Asian cultures present. Also, Chinese people in the book are portrayed as villianous and shifty. At one point, a Chinese character's dialogue had rs replaced with ls. Seriously?
I think the author was going for a campy Get Smart kind of novel. The portrayal of Asians and the characters made it difficult to enjoy.
My biggest problem with the book is the attitude towards Asians. It seems like all Asians in the book are labeled Chinese. In a place where there are many different Asian cultures present. Also, Chinese people in the book are portrayed as villianous and shifty. At one point, a Chinese character's dialogue had rs replaced with ls. Seriously?
I think the author was going for a campy Get Smart kind of novel. The portrayal of Asians and the characters made it difficult to enjoy.
February 13, 2017
The beginning felt a little wobbly and then the story picked up. A fairly light read about h seeking a divorce from her super spy hubby - he is never home and she is lonely Although I know the H loved h, I never felt that he put her first. His job always came first. h did become involved in the current case - some by accident, some by hubby using her, and some by his agency using her. 2.5 rounded stars.
January 29, 2012
A very funny read. Thank you Dee :*
Spontaneous hugging of the nearly ex is not the best move in a ditch-him-and-get-on-with-life plan. Even if you are eternally grateful to him. She realized a second too late what she’d just said and done.
She cleared her throat and pulled away. Well, at least she now knew why Bond got the girls. Relief is a powerful inhibition inhibitor. Or so it appeared.
“No one runs us off the road, do they, girls?” Brandy sounded indignant. She flipped the driver of the car the finger.
“No!” Treflee screamed at her. “You’ll make him mad.”
Ty shot her another one of his understated deadpan looks. “Really?”
“Mad!” Carrie screamed. “I’ll show you mad.” She opened the window and tossed her pineapple schnapps onto the attacker’s windshield.
His wipers went on and he rammed them again.
Carrie cursed and shook her fist at him. “This is war! Battle stations!”
Battle stations?
“You don’t have your gun, right?” Treflee called back to her, fingers crossed.
“Left it at the plantation,” Carrie yelled back. She and the others were waving liquor bottles and pineapple mugs or reaching into their purses. “Ty, how you doing up there? Can you handle the driving? Need me to step in? I’m good at high speeds.”
Oh, boy! Treflee could just see Carrie stepping in. No way Ty would be down with that. “He’s the designated driver, remember?”
“Yeah. Too bad I’ve had one too many.” Carrie sounded disappointed. “I really am great at precision driving.” She opened her window and tossed her pineapple mug out. “Bombs away!”
The others had already claimed their cots. Ty set her bag down on the empty cot nearest the door.
Ty whispered in her ear, “My tent’s just to the left.”
“Good. Any attacker from the north will get you first.”
Spontaneous hugging of the nearly ex is not the best move in a ditch-him-and-get-on-with-life plan. Even if you are eternally grateful to him. She realized a second too late what she’d just said and done.
She cleared her throat and pulled away. Well, at least she now knew why Bond got the girls. Relief is a powerful inhibition inhibitor. Or so it appeared.
“No one runs us off the road, do they, girls?” Brandy sounded indignant. She flipped the driver of the car the finger.
“No!” Treflee screamed at her. “You’ll make him mad.”
Ty shot her another one of his understated deadpan looks. “Really?”
“Mad!” Carrie screamed. “I’ll show you mad.” She opened the window and tossed her pineapple schnapps onto the attacker’s windshield.
His wipers went on and he rammed them again.
Carrie cursed and shook her fist at him. “This is war! Battle stations!”
Battle stations?
“You don’t have your gun, right?” Treflee called back to her, fingers crossed.
“Left it at the plantation,” Carrie yelled back. She and the others were waving liquor bottles and pineapple mugs or reaching into their purses. “Ty, how you doing up there? Can you handle the driving? Need me to step in? I’m good at high speeds.”
Oh, boy! Treflee could just see Carrie stepping in. No way Ty would be down with that. “He’s the designated driver, remember?”
“Yeah. Too bad I’ve had one too many.” Carrie sounded disappointed. “I really am great at precision driving.” She opened her window and tossed her pineapple mug out. “Bombs away!”
The others had already claimed their cots. Ty set her bag down on the empty cot nearest the door.
Ty whispered in her ear, “My tent’s just to the left.”
“Good. Any attacker from the north will get you first.”
November 23, 2011
The cover blurb is an accurate description of the book. Rather than repeat it, I share what I loved about THE SPY WHO LEFT ME! It is an action adventure. A light-hearted thriller. And a "lovers reunited" romance. It touches upon what it is like to love someone who is married to the job, whether it is spy, military, or even corporate America. Gina Robinson takes the heroine through several emotions as she discovers what truly matters in a marriage. Along the way, Robinson has fun with the spy world, delivers strong female characters with distinct personalities, and accurately portrays Hawaii's tourism.
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME was a fun read for pure escapism. I want to see the secondary characters in future books. I look forward to more action adventure from Gina Robinson!
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME was a fun read for pure escapism. I want to see the secondary characters in future books. I look forward to more action adventure from Gina Robinson!
April 26, 2012
This is a really fun book. Okay, so I'm a sucker or spy stories. When you cross that with a rom-com and you do it well, I'm in hog heaven. The only thing that detracted was the author uses the word "fortunately" too much (yes, we all have our little verbal tics but what the hell are the editors at St. Martin's doing these days?)
May 5, 2018
Probably closer to 2.5 or 2.75. It's a fun and interesting opening to the series, but there were some frustrating moments. It was enough to keep me reading the series, and the next books just get better.
July 25, 2024
i think this book would be the perfect 2nd addition to the glenn powell and sydney sweeney cinematic universe
January 31, 2013
CONTAINS SPOILERS.
I struggled with this book to about page 85, then decided life was too short and this book was too long! Dragged on and on. We follow these women on their vacation. Going to the surf shop, picking up gear...boring. I skimmed the rest of the book in about 40 minutes (250+ pages) and sorta-kinda read the end. So don't know if that counts as a DNF.
The author's writing is techincally good. But I could NOT care about these characters. I tried! I think the main character is supposed to be quirky and funny, but she really comes off as stupid (makes bad choices) and incompetent (always misinterpreting the spy situation but just acting embarrassing). That may have worked if the hero found that part of her personality charming, but he seemed to roll his eyes at her and find her missteps annoying. So that did not work for me. Why would I want eitehr of them to end up with teh other one, other than to feel like they're both so annoying, they deserve each other?
Another reviewer mentioned the heroine's racism (having a phobia of Chinese people) and while I don't remember that exact part, I do remember having some reactions like "jeez, that's a little racist." Wish I could remember exactly.
Also, unlike other reviewers here, I did NOT like the friends. The author set up a lot of female cattiness/competition for the hero and that doesn't work for me. Too cliche, too junior high. Too much cast as the heroine is totally good and right for him while the friend is slutty nympho who doesn't realize hero has no interest in her but continues to throw herself at him anyway. That just wasn't believable; there was no complexity there.
I wanted a more mature heroine who was smart and independent. Not one that keeps getting hurt so the hero can rescue her. Hello, 1980s!
The setting did not do it for me either. I felt like the author went on vacation to such a place in Hawaii, then took notes, and wrote a story around it. It's fine if you do that, but that process seemed to bleed through the fourth wall for me. It didn't break it entirely, but it was, in spots, transparent. (For example, describing the beautiful [some type of tree] wood floors of the manor they were staying in as she padded across them in her [some kind of sandals you only know about if you go on vacay to HI].)
There were a couple of details that were not accurate and pulled me out of the story. A stranger tries to strangle the heroine, the hero saves her, then insists on taking her to the ER. She says no, but he tells her (condescendingly, per his character in the whole book) that there are complications from near strangling. Then he goes on to list a few, one of which is "hypoxia." Um, isn't that what happens when you're *being* strangled? When you can breathe again, isn't hypoxia no longer a threat? So that felt like the author just looked up "complications of strangling" on Web MD, then pasted it into the story. And that the hero didn't know what he was talking about. The heroine also notes that the sun is strong, even though it's practically the equinox. That pulled me out of the story because when you're in Hawaii, the daylight/sun strength doesn't change so drastically like when you're farther from the equator. So those are just some examples of little things that broke the fourth wall for me.
Finally, there was not enough suspense, *especially* for a romantic suspense. Oh, AND the ending totally fizzles! The heroine thinks they're in danger and the suspense is ratcheted up, only for the hero to deflate that by telling her she has miscontrued the situation and there's no danger. THAT'S how the story ends! So the reader feels robbed of a satisfying ending, where the hero and heroine have to work together to get out of their predicament.
So, in sum, I've read worse, but I've read a heck of a lot better. 2 stars.
I struggled with this book to about page 85, then decided life was too short and this book was too long! Dragged on and on. We follow these women on their vacation. Going to the surf shop, picking up gear...boring. I skimmed the rest of the book in about 40 minutes (250+ pages) and sorta-kinda read the end. So don't know if that counts as a DNF.
The author's writing is techincally good. But I could NOT care about these characters. I tried! I think the main character is supposed to be quirky and funny, but she really comes off as stupid (makes bad choices) and incompetent (always misinterpreting the spy situation but just acting embarrassing). That may have worked if the hero found that part of her personality charming, but he seemed to roll his eyes at her and find her missteps annoying. So that did not work for me. Why would I want eitehr of them to end up with teh other one, other than to feel like they're both so annoying, they deserve each other?
Another reviewer mentioned the heroine's racism (having a phobia of Chinese people) and while I don't remember that exact part, I do remember having some reactions like "jeez, that's a little racist." Wish I could remember exactly.
Also, unlike other reviewers here, I did NOT like the friends. The author set up a lot of female cattiness/competition for the hero and that doesn't work for me. Too cliche, too junior high. Too much cast as the heroine is totally good and right for him while the friend is slutty nympho who doesn't realize hero has no interest in her but continues to throw herself at him anyway. That just wasn't believable; there was no complexity there.
I wanted a more mature heroine who was smart and independent. Not one that keeps getting hurt so the hero can rescue her. Hello, 1980s!
The setting did not do it for me either. I felt like the author went on vacation to such a place in Hawaii, then took notes, and wrote a story around it. It's fine if you do that, but that process seemed to bleed through the fourth wall for me. It didn't break it entirely, but it was, in spots, transparent. (For example, describing the beautiful [some type of tree] wood floors of the manor they were staying in as she padded across them in her [some kind of sandals you only know about if you go on vacay to HI].)
There were a couple of details that were not accurate and pulled me out of the story. A stranger tries to strangle the heroine, the hero saves her, then insists on taking her to the ER. She says no, but he tells her (condescendingly, per his character in the whole book) that there are complications from near strangling. Then he goes on to list a few, one of which is "hypoxia." Um, isn't that what happens when you're *being* strangled? When you can breathe again, isn't hypoxia no longer a threat? So that felt like the author just looked up "complications of strangling" on Web MD, then pasted it into the story. And that the hero didn't know what he was talking about. The heroine also notes that the sun is strong, even though it's practically the equinox. That pulled me out of the story because when you're in Hawaii, the daylight/sun strength doesn't change so drastically like when you're farther from the equator. So those are just some examples of little things that broke the fourth wall for me.
Finally, there was not enough suspense, *especially* for a romantic suspense. Oh, AND the ending totally fizzles! The heroine thinks they're in danger and the suspense is ratcheted up, only for the hero to deflate that by telling her she has miscontrued the situation and there's no danger. THAT'S how the story ends! So the reader feels robbed of a satisfying ending, where the hero and heroine have to work together to get out of their predicament.
So, in sum, I've read worse, but I've read a heck of a lot better. 2 stars.
November 10, 2011
THE SPY WHO LEFT ME by Gina Robinson
Book #1 in the An Agent Ex Series
11/11 - St. Martin's Press - Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Did I change the entire game or just the rules on how we play it?
Treflee knew what her soon to be ex was when she married him. Ty never lied about being a spy, just about what the spy missions entailed. He was a master at the job but always made their time together so special. Ty has no idea what caused Treflee to want a divorce but he will figure out a way to stop that from happening.
When Treflee shows up in Hawaii with a jilted bride during one of Ty’s assignments it is as if the stars have aligned to get them back together. Ty is completely on board with catching the bad guy and Treflee all during tropical days and magical nights, Treflee wants no part of this operation.
The assignment may have Ty whispering more than affectionate endearments into Treflee ear because she is key to obtaining a resolution to the conflict. It was an accident that got her involved in this spy business, but now she has no choice but to play Bond Girl. Treflee will have to figure out how to tell a believable lie with a smile on her face. It turns out for Treflee that the assignment is easier to handle than Ty’s declarations of affection and attempts to win her back. If she tells him the truth, will that make him run away or back into her arms for good?
Look no further for a book with romance and action combined exploding into one fantastic read. This is a great start to what I know will be a great series with a perfect combination of love and explosions.
Book #1 in the An Agent Ex Series
11/11 - St. Martin's Press - Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Did I change the entire game or just the rules on how we play it?
Treflee knew what her soon to be ex was when she married him. Ty never lied about being a spy, just about what the spy missions entailed. He was a master at the job but always made their time together so special. Ty has no idea what caused Treflee to want a divorce but he will figure out a way to stop that from happening.
When Treflee shows up in Hawaii with a jilted bride during one of Ty’s assignments it is as if the stars have aligned to get them back together. Ty is completely on board with catching the bad guy and Treflee all during tropical days and magical nights, Treflee wants no part of this operation.
The assignment may have Ty whispering more than affectionate endearments into Treflee ear because she is key to obtaining a resolution to the conflict. It was an accident that got her involved in this spy business, but now she has no choice but to play Bond Girl. Treflee will have to figure out how to tell a believable lie with a smile on her face. It turns out for Treflee that the assignment is easier to handle than Ty’s declarations of affection and attempts to win her back. If she tells him the truth, will that make him run away or back into her arms for good?
Look no further for a book with romance and action combined exploding into one fantastic read. This is a great start to what I know will be a great series with a perfect combination of love and explosions.
May 30, 2016
The Spy Who Left Me by Gina Robinson is a nice, breezy, funny summer beach read. full with smart one liners, nice hot moments, a relatable (or semi relatable, in my case) heroine a nice semi hot male lead and true love.
I really liked how they worked together, I really liked how their marriage clicked. I I didn't like how he was a commitment phob (the kid thing) and how she kept a secret from him that was the main reason that their marriage fell apart (well that was the main reason she suddenly changed her attitude, wanted things, he didn't know how to deal, they fought a lot and before they knew it she wanted a divorce).
secondly, and I realize it is just me but I am not a big fan of the second chance romance or the rekindle our love romance or love is bigger than our problems romance. let's just say life made me skeptic. I know well enough that love alone is not enough.
But this is a funny light read full with Gina's trademark characterizing and slow built chemistry. It's weird to explain, but while Gina never sells me the romance and the love and the chemistry or the potential at the start by the end I feel, I know, I can't deny.
oh, and I just love lurrrrve the name of the books in the series.
a review copy was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review but the truth is I own a printed copy anyway
I really liked how they worked together, I really liked how their marriage clicked. I I didn't like how he was a commitment phob (the kid thing) and how she kept a secret from him that was the main reason that their marriage fell apart (well that was the main reason she suddenly changed her attitude, wanted things, he didn't know how to deal, they fought a lot and before they knew it she wanted a divorce).
secondly, and I realize it is just me but I am not a big fan of the second chance romance or the rekindle our love romance or love is bigger than our problems romance. let's just say life made me skeptic. I know well enough that love alone is not enough.
But this is a funny light read full with Gina's trademark characterizing and slow built chemistry. It's weird to explain, but while Gina never sells me the romance and the love and the chemistry or the potential at the start by the end I feel, I know, I can't deny.
oh, and I just love lurrrrve the name of the books in the series.
a review copy was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review but the truth is I own a printed copy anyway
April 11, 2012
Now I'm going to feel mean.
Robinson's The Spy WHo Left Me appeared to be the epitome of guilty pleasure fluffster reading. And it was... except, it was just a little too fluffy for this particular fan of reading treats. There were parts of it that were quite humoruous and it was filled with lots of action, but at times it felt a bit cliched and as the writing in certain places could have been improved upon. I did appreciate how Robinson could still develop her characters in a setting that is definitely one of those maintain disbelief books. T
The best comparison is to a sort of food that you don't quite like and don't quite mind either, but you can't stop eating when you do start.
a 2.5 to 3 star read
Robinson's The Spy WHo Left Me appeared to be the epitome of guilty pleasure fluffster reading. And it was... except, it was just a little too fluffy for this particular fan of reading treats. There were parts of it that were quite humoruous and it was filled with lots of action, but at times it felt a bit cliched and as the writing in certain places could have been improved upon. I did appreciate how Robinson could still develop her characters in a setting that is definitely one of those maintain disbelief books. T
The best comparison is to a sort of food that you don't quite like and don't quite mind either, but you can't stop eating when you do start.
a 2.5 to 3 star read
January 28, 2012
1.5 stars
After looking forward to reading this for awhile, I'm seriously underwhelmed. The writing bordered on adolescent; the inner monologues were comical, even though that wasn't always the intent; and editing was inconsistent. Trying the entire time, I never could connect with the characters, nor could I care much for them. Ty, the hero, came off unfeeling, though the heroine has been his wife for 7 years. And the heroine, Treflee, just read whiny and juvenile during several chunks of the story.
After looking forward to reading this for awhile, I'm seriously underwhelmed. The writing bordered on adolescent; the inner monologues were comical, even though that wasn't always the intent; and editing was inconsistent. Trying the entire time, I never could connect with the characters, nor could I care much for them. Ty, the hero, came off unfeeling, though the heroine has been his wife for 7 years. And the heroine, Treflee, just read whiny and juvenile during several chunks of the story.
April 2, 2012
The writing was good but too many things niggled at me about the story and the characters for me to give it more than 3 stars, most particularly I thought the hero was selfish, and the heroine not too far behind, and I had a difficult time believing they could make things work in the end. I think this is a book that will hold appeal for readers who like this type of story, and the writer does have a fun, breezy style of writing that's easy to read. Would recommend fans of Tawna Fenske's Making Waves give this one a go.
May 11, 2022
I don’t usually write reviews, but this book is anti-Asian and racist. The main character has a phobia of Chinese people (who also happen to be the “bad” guys in the book) and she “hates Hawaiian food” after being served fried spam and rice. The anit-Asian sentiments are strong throughout the book. I’m mad I even finished this book. Zero stars if I could.
February 16, 2012
This is more of a 2.5. The plot was implausible, which I usually don't mind so long as there's humor and/or character development. I don't feel the characters were very compelling and the dialogue was more corny than funny. For me, it was just okay.
June 27, 2012
Very simple story and it definately didn't need 300 pages to tell it. While I liked some of it, it took waaaaay to long to tell it. I could have given it a higher rating if there wasn't so much extra needless stuff.
March 9, 2017
Unfortunately did not finish
Heroine was awful. I hope Ty gets with someone else. Treflee was dumb and her reasons for wanting a divorce were stupid. Ty deserves an award for his patience with his annoying wife.
Heroine was awful. I hope Ty gets with someone else. Treflee was dumb and her reasons for wanting a divorce were stupid. Ty deserves an award for his patience with his annoying wife.
March 23, 2017
I did not like either of the characters in the story. She was a total wimp and he couldn't put her before his job. Tell me, how is that love?
March 27, 2022
Have you ever read a book and just never connected to the characters and decided that because you are already 50% in you might as well struggle through it. I fear I may have put myself in a slump thanks to this.
So Trefflee arrives in Hawaii to find that her husband who is also a spy has been posted there. Any other couple would be glad to reunite but not them. Treff wants. divorce and her husband has sought out this mission to escape his home life for the past 6 months. The husband does not want the divorce. Infact up until his previous return, he has been knowing that everything in his marriage was going alright.
-Trefflee really pissed me off. She does not follow instructions especially when thise same instructions are meant to save and protect her.
-There was a lot of telling rather than showing. This was a big NO for me. I wish there was a little more to their relationship. We got snippets of their lives but there was a disconnection and that had to do with the way the story was told. I also wish that we weren't always bombarded with things like what the other character liked so much. I get it. No need to beat my head with it. Its as thought the author was trying so hard to prove to me that they are a couple instead of seeing for myself through their chemistry which was so little.
-My biggest issue is that it seemed as though this couple was not married for 6 or sth years rather the conflict was more of a 2/3 years in kind of thing.
-I also detested how the H dealt with the conflict. He could have been more undestanding and he lacked the emotional capacity to understand Treff but chose to raise a tantrum. He wants to protect hsi wife but he didn't even react to her point of conflict.
-Treff's fight with Laci. So childish.
So Trefflee arrives in Hawaii to find that her husband who is also a spy has been posted there. Any other couple would be glad to reunite but not them. Treff wants. divorce and her husband has sought out this mission to escape his home life for the past 6 months. The husband does not want the divorce. Infact up until his previous return, he has been knowing that everything in his marriage was going alright.
-Trefflee really pissed me off. She does not follow instructions especially when thise same instructions are meant to save and protect her.
-There was a lot of telling rather than showing. This was a big NO for me. I wish there was a little more to their relationship. We got snippets of their lives but there was a disconnection and that had to do with the way the story was told. I also wish that we weren't always bombarded with things like what the other character liked so much. I get it. No need to beat my head with it. Its as thought the author was trying so hard to prove to me that they are a couple instead of seeing for myself through their chemistry which was so little.
-My biggest issue is that it seemed as though this couple was not married for 6 or sth years rather the conflict was more of a 2/3 years in kind of thing.
-I also detested how the H dealt with the conflict. He could have been more undestanding and he lacked the emotional capacity to understand Treff but chose to raise a tantrum. He wants to protect hsi wife but he didn't even react to her point of conflict.
-Treff's fight with Laci. So childish.
June 9, 2024
The story begins with Treflee Miller, her cousin Carrie, and Carries ex-bridal party arriving in Hawaii, only to be greeted by Treflee's soon to be ex-husband Ty in disguise. Her first thought is how exceptionally gorgeous he is...then how angry she is for him leaving on a mission and not signing the divorce papers.
Ty knows they are on the outs because of his job. It's not easy being wife to a spy, he's never home, works long hours, he's surrounded sometimes by gorgeous women. But they are together here in Hawaii and there's nothing either of them can do about it. For both of their safety, they can't blow his cover.
Can she resist being close to him again to get past this mission that he has enlisted her help in? Ty has decided to make her part of his cover to try and win her back. As the story unfolds, Treflee becomes jealous when Lacy sets her sights on Ty. By the end of the story will she still want him to sign the divorce papers?
I liked Treflee. She has never been an adventurist until this happens. The story is sexy, hilarious, cant wait to read the next one! And how can you not like Ty-the super spy using his knowledge and talents to win back the woman he loves? Plus, the guy is sounds gorgeous-muscular, bronzed. He's also been faithful for the 6 months they've been apart. now that's a GREAT story!!!
Ty knows they are on the outs because of his job. It's not easy being wife to a spy, he's never home, works long hours, he's surrounded sometimes by gorgeous women. But they are together here in Hawaii and there's nothing either of them can do about it. For both of their safety, they can't blow his cover.
Can she resist being close to him again to get past this mission that he has enlisted her help in? Ty has decided to make her part of his cover to try and win her back. As the story unfolds, Treflee becomes jealous when Lacy sets her sights on Ty. By the end of the story will she still want him to sign the divorce papers?
I liked Treflee. She has never been an adventurist until this happens. The story is sexy, hilarious, cant wait to read the next one! And how can you not like Ty-the super spy using his knowledge and talents to win back the woman he loves? Plus, the guy is sounds gorgeous-muscular, bronzed. He's also been faithful for the 6 months they've been apart. now that's a GREAT story!!!
March 12, 2017
This is a must read book. It was fun, it had action, suspense, romance. Treflee had filled for divorce from her husband who is a spy. Problem was she had no idea where he was in the world, so he couldn't sign them. Her cousin Carrie had canceled her wedding, just days before the big day. The trip to Hawii was paid for, and she couldn't get her money back. So she took Treflee, and all her bridesmaids on vacation. Trust me, this is a vacation, they will never forget. Just Treflee's luck, her husband is undercover, and is now the vacation instructor, and island guide for her and the group of girls.
I caught myself cheering Treflee, and Ty on. Someone thought Treflee was a international spy, and wanted to take her out. Both she and Ty were put into dangerous situations. I saw no way out, this book had me on pins, and needles. the suspense was great. The two always managed to escape danger at the last second.
Loved this book. Like I said it's a must read.
I caught myself cheering Treflee, and Ty on. Someone thought Treflee was a international spy, and wanted to take her out. Both she and Ty were put into dangerous situations. I saw no way out, this book had me on pins, and needles. the suspense was great. The two always managed to escape danger at the last second.
Loved this book. Like I said it's a must read.
January 19, 2022
Where should I start? I know! I'll be brief. This was a DNF for me.
The premise was kind of strange, but I thought I'd give it a run anyway. And I saw the five star reviews. I'm learning never to believe five stars - there are far too many readers who like simplistic writing and who are afraid to give a book less than five stars. In fact, some of them have admitted that they won't be critical of any book they read. Too bad they weren't critical with this one. Would have saved me some time and money.
The writing was simple. It was geared to a high school graduate who isn't looking for anything deep. Wait, there was nothing deep here. In fact, the story barely scratched the surface.
I found the supposed heroine to be flighty and irritating, and a little too silly for my taste.
This whole book reminded me of a bunch of 18 year olds out on their own for the first time.
The premise was kind of strange, but I thought I'd give it a run anyway. And I saw the five star reviews. I'm learning never to believe five stars - there are far too many readers who like simplistic writing and who are afraid to give a book less than five stars. In fact, some of them have admitted that they won't be critical of any book they read. Too bad they weren't critical with this one. Would have saved me some time and money.
The writing was simple. It was geared to a high school graduate who isn't looking for anything deep. Wait, there was nothing deep here. In fact, the story barely scratched the surface.
I found the supposed heroine to be flighty and irritating, and a little too silly for my taste.
This whole book reminded me of a bunch of 18 year olds out on their own for the first time.
April 18, 2012
CAUTION: Long Review
The Spy Who Left Me begins with Treflee running into her estranged husband Ty at the Hawaiian hotel where he work. Treflee is on vacation with her cousin Carrie and her five bridesmaids which included Treflee, a vacation that was supposed to be Carrie’s wedding and honeymoon before Carrie dumped her fiancé for cheating on her. Ty is on a spy mission working undercover with his partner Greg, a mission that was not supposed to include his divorce-demanding wife.
With less than 93,000 words and entirely set in in Hawaii, The Spy Who Left Me is about Treflee trying to divorce a husband who still loves her very much. The novel was low on angst, moderate on humor, moderate on action. There were many things going on.
The Characters
+++ Treflee
Logically, Treflee should have returned home once she met and realized Ty was on a mission — a dangerous mission, no matter how much she needed him to sign the divorce papers. She should have returned after her first attack. She seriously should have returned after getting attacked three times in three days which through luck she survived all three with minor injuries.
Despite it all, I never labeled Treflee TSTL and that was probably because she was well aware of the danger and the poor decisions she made. The story being told in 3rd PoV from Treflee’s side helped me see why Treflee did what she did. And for the most part, Treflee was reasonable, even when readers learn of the secret she kept from Ty and how it made her unhappy with her marriage and persuaded her to divorce him.
My main complain about Treflee was that I wished she was more assertive in her divorce quest and more conscious of the reasons why she wanted to divorce Ty. Halfway through the story, Treflee reconnected with Ty and they spent the rest of the story in an affectionate mood only to be ruined several times by Ty and his spy job. I did not care much for that part of the story even thought it was sweet. I wish things were slightly more angsty, Treflee slightly more cold-shouldered against Ty.
+++ Ty
Occasionally, the story would be told in 3rd PoV from Ty's side. Ty was believable as a spy. He was competent at acting as a some smoothing talking tour guide, at quashing his wife’s plans to get leverage so she could coerced him to sign the divorce papers, at rescuing her when she unexpectedly got attacked, and at defusing spy situation when things took an unexpected turn. All except for two niggling implausible things which were 1) Ty was his real first name which made his alias imperfect and 2) he didn’t hesitate to use Treflee — a non-spy person — to help with his mission.
It did make some sense why Ty would allow Treflee to play a part his mission. Ty could keep an eye out on Treflee while working his spy job in one place, play a convincing lady’s man with Treflee as part of his cover, and convince her to not divorce him in the times she begrudgingly spent with him. However, he put Treflee at risk and though she was aware of the danger and knew a few spy things Treflee was not a spy. She was not a good liar. She was not a cop like Carrie or anything military like a few of Carrie’s bridesmaids. Treflee didn’t had a gun or even a taser — things Ty should have given Treflee to help defend herself.
I did not like Ty when he got mad after Treflee confessed her secret to him. Ty should have immediately consoled her like the victim she was. Fortunately, he got over his unappreciated anger quickly.
+++ Emmett
Emmett was Ty and Greg’s spy boss. Despite being mentioned a few times and having a total of two short scenes, Emmett got my attention because he was my least favorite character. Emmett was the one who recruited Ty who at the time was engaged to Treflee. Emmett should not have recruited Ty because single spies didn’t have loved ones that would make easy targets and easy distraction. A single spy wouldn’t have a family that would eventually loathe him for his long absences. “Emmett violated his own policy when he recruited Ty.”
Emmett played a big role for the problem between Ty and Treflee. The twist at the end, instead soothing me like it should have, the twist made me more set in my dislike for Emmett.
In Conclusion
Treflee was accurately as the novel described her. Ty convinced me that he really did love Treflee. The ending was sweet and slightly more compelling as a HEA than a HFN because of the climax. Quite the explosion the climax was, figuratively and literally. The sex content was mostly angst and flirting. The novel had only one explicit sex scene, occurring around 2/3 of the novel.
The Spy Who Left Me was mildly enjoyable, good for a light read. I rate the book 3-stars for I liked it.
The next book in the Agent Ex series will be about Greg whose real name is Drew and his estranged wife.
The Spy Who Left Me begins with Treflee running into her estranged husband Ty at the Hawaiian hotel where he work. Treflee is on vacation with her cousin Carrie and her five bridesmaids which included Treflee, a vacation that was supposed to be Carrie’s wedding and honeymoon before Carrie dumped her fiancé for cheating on her. Ty is on a spy mission working undercover with his partner Greg, a mission that was not supposed to include his divorce-demanding wife.
With less than 93,000 words and entirely set in in Hawaii, The Spy Who Left Me is about Treflee trying to divorce a husband who still loves her very much. The novel was low on angst, moderate on humor, moderate on action. There were many things going on.
All Ty had to do was avenge George Hsu, a fellow agent and friend who’d been murdered on assignment here in Hawaii. Follow Shen Lin, the little prick of a Fuk Ching Chinese crime gang member suspected of killing George on orders from the Revolutionary International Organization of Terrorists, or RIOT as they were commonly known in the espionage world. Hope Lin would provide him a way into Sugar Love Plantation, RIOT’s Hawaiian lair. Keep an eye on Hal Rogers, a Hawaiian-born CIA analyst and traitor who was planning to sell the top secret Pinpoint Project to RIOT. Complete George’s mission to stop RIOT from starting a war between China and the United States. And win back my angry wife’s love.But, delightfully, it never got convoluted. It did, however, get implausible for a few times.
The Characters
+++ Treflee
Logically, Treflee should have returned home once she met and realized Ty was on a mission — a dangerous mission, no matter how much she needed him to sign the divorce papers. She should have returned after her first attack. She seriously should have returned after getting attacked three times in three days which through luck she survived all three with minor injuries.
Despite it all, I never labeled Treflee TSTL and that was probably because she was well aware of the danger and the poor decisions she made. The story being told in 3rd PoV from Treflee’s side helped me see why Treflee did what she did. And for the most part, Treflee was reasonable, even when readers learn of the secret she kept from Ty and how it made her unhappy with her marriage and persuaded her to divorce him.
My main complain about Treflee was that I wished she was more assertive in her divorce quest and more conscious of the reasons why she wanted to divorce Ty. Halfway through the story, Treflee reconnected with Ty and they spent the rest of the story in an affectionate mood only to be ruined several times by Ty and his spy job. I did not care much for that part of the story even thought it was sweet. I wish things were slightly more angsty, Treflee slightly more cold-shouldered against Ty.
+++ Ty
Occasionally, the story would be told in 3rd PoV from Ty's side. Ty was believable as a spy. He was competent at acting as a some smoothing talking tour guide, at quashing his wife’s plans to get leverage so she could coerced him to sign the divorce papers, at rescuing her when she unexpectedly got attacked, and at defusing spy situation when things took an unexpected turn. All except for two niggling implausible things which were 1) Ty was his real first name which made his alias imperfect and 2) he didn’t hesitate to use Treflee — a non-spy person — to help with his mission.
It did make some sense why Ty would allow Treflee to play a part his mission. Ty could keep an eye out on Treflee while working his spy job in one place, play a convincing lady’s man with Treflee as part of his cover, and convince her to not divorce him in the times she begrudgingly spent with him. However, he put Treflee at risk and though she was aware of the danger and knew a few spy things Treflee was not a spy. She was not a good liar. She was not a cop like Carrie or anything military like a few of Carrie’s bridesmaids. Treflee didn’t had a gun or even a taser — things Ty should have given Treflee to help defend herself.
I did not like Ty when he got mad after Treflee confessed her secret to him. Ty should have immediately consoled her like the victim she was. Fortunately, he got over his unappreciated anger quickly.
+++ Emmett
Emmett was Ty and Greg’s spy boss. Despite being mentioned a few times and having a total of two short scenes, Emmett got my attention because he was my least favorite character. Emmett was the one who recruited Ty who at the time was engaged to Treflee. Emmett should not have recruited Ty because single spies didn’t have loved ones that would make easy targets and easy distraction. A single spy wouldn’t have a family that would eventually loathe him for his long absences. “Emmett violated his own policy when he recruited Ty.”
Emmett played a big role for the problem between Ty and Treflee. The twist at the end, instead soothing me like it should have, the twist made me more set in my dislike for Emmett.
In Conclusion
Treflee was accurately as the novel described her. Ty convinced me that he really did love Treflee. The ending was sweet and slightly more compelling as a HEA than a HFN because of the climax. Quite the explosion the climax was, figuratively and literally. The sex content was mostly angst and flirting. The novel had only one explicit sex scene, occurring around 2/3 of the novel.
The Spy Who Left Me was mildly enjoyable, good for a light read. I rate the book 3-stars for I liked it.
The next book in the Agent Ex series will be about Greg whose real name is Drew and his estranged wife.
August 13, 2017
I asked my Amazon Echo to read me a book, thinking it would pick up on an ebook I had checked out from the library. I'm not sure if it didn't understand me or what happened but she started reading me this book. It's not one I ever would've picked up myself but I listened enough to get interested enough to settle in for the roller coaster ride. A woman shows up for her cousin's girls trip she decided to take when she called off her wedding. When she arrives, she discovers her missing spy husband working on an assignment and posing as a tour guide for the girl's group. Warning: It had some smuttier scenes than my typical book choices have, so fair warning if you'd rather not have references to hard things (chests, bulges, etc.) in your literary adventures.
November 25, 2018
I picked this up because for some reason I thought the movie "The Spy Who Dumped Me" was based off of this. This assumption was based solely on the title, which I only realized later was different from the movie. The book and story was pretty good, but it basically had me melancholy most of the time I was reading it. It wasn't even a sad story, I just related a lot to Treflee being in a relationship with someone who was gone a lot for work.
Robinson did a pretty good job keeping me in suspense for what was to happen next. There was also a surprising amount of action in here.
Robinson did a pretty good job keeping me in suspense for what was to happen next. There was also a surprising amount of action in here.
June 14, 2019
Not a fan of this book. The heroine started out with a strong personality but turned to doormat all the same towards the end. I couldn't reconcile the fact that she wanted her husband back after everything. Ty's spy job always and I mean ALWAYS came first before Tref which was something I couldn't resign myself to understand. I was rooting for them to finally divorce and move on with their lives to be honest. I really thought they weren't meant to be
October 22, 2020
a predictable light romance/mystery. Treflee's husband is a spy and is gone too much so she wants a divorce & is holding a secret. She & her cousin, who was supposed to get married, go on vacation to Hawaii & Tref's husband is undercover & they reunite as he tries to win her back.. Thin plot & same old same old catty woman, playing hard to get, & whining about the past.
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