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Playing the Spy
Hollywood star and the nation’s favorite daughter, Eleanor Godwin wants nothing more than time by herself, especially from the persistent press. What better place to recuperate after a particularly gruelling round of interviews than a picture-perfect exclusive island resort in the Great Barrier Reef?
Political reporter Sophie Marsh is used to digging up dirt. When her editor underhandedly snags her the position as Eleanor’s housekeeper for two months, she reluctantly agrees to spy on the star. After all, her hard-won position at the paper is on the line.
Against the background of the breathtaking island, passions run high. As secrets are revealed, the assignment becomes Sophie’s worst nightmare― write the article or lose her job. She knows that succumbing to temptation can't be an option. But tell that to her heart…
Editor: Carth Walker
Cover Designer: Judith Fellows
Genre: Romance
Political reporter Sophie Marsh is used to digging up dirt. When her editor underhandedly snags her the position as Eleanor’s housekeeper for two months, she reluctantly agrees to spy on the star. After all, her hard-won position at the paper is on the line.
Against the background of the breathtaking island, passions run high. As secrets are revealed, the assignment becomes Sophie’s worst nightmare― write the article or lose her job. She knows that succumbing to temptation can't be an option. But tell that to her heart…
Editor: Carth Walker
Cover Designer: Judith Fellows
Genre: Romance
274 pages, ebook
First published January 18, 2018
52 people are currently reading
405 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Brown
15 books115 followersBorn and bred in Queensland, Australia, Maggie Brown has always been an advocate for women’s rights. An avid reader, she only discovered lesbian literature ten years ago, which opened a whole new world to her. A long-term artist, she turned her hand to writing for a different challenge. It’s become her passion, and she now has eight books on the shelves, two of which were finalists in the Golden Crown Literary awards. Her novels vary from thrillers to romances. Maggie loves dotting her pages with lots of interesting characters, and writes about relationships with a humorous eye. When she’s not writing, she’s a golf hacker, card sharp and movie buff, and particularly likes to chill out at night with a glass of wine and a good book.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 21, 2018
4.25 Stars. I really enjoyed this romance. While I liked both Piping Her Tune and In the Company of Crocodiles, this is my favorite book by Brown. This was a feel good romance that I think romance fans are going to enjoy.
Sophie is a political reporter trying to make a name for herself. When her boss tells her she is to go undercover, as a housekeeper, to dig up dirt on one of Australia’s and America’s most beloved actresses, Sophie wants nothing to do with the job. Her boss gives her no choice and Sophie is off to spend two months, at a private resort, with Eleanor in the Whitsundays. The more time they spend together, the more feelings become involved. Will Sophie do her job or listen to her heart?
I don’t know what it is, but a romance between a big Hollywood star and a regular blue collar woman, always works for me. It really is one of my favorite hooks in lesfic romance and this book didn’t disappoint. I just really liked how the romance slowly built and how they just got closer and closer. The chemistry was absolutely there, and they were a very believable couple. You just hope and hope for a HEA.
The characters in this book were great. It wasn’t just the two mains, but the supporting cast was well done too. Everyone was fleshed out and you remembered all of their names even if they didn’t play a huge roll. Brown definitely writes characters well. On top of that the setting of the Whitsundays; you can’t get much more beautiful than that.
The only issue I had with the book is that Sophie being there is based on a lie. I don’t like when a book starts off like that because it makes it so you are just waiting for the other shoe to drop. But the way Brown handled it, I’m okay with it. She didn’t leave it until the last minute, so there was actually time for a proper ending which I really appreciate. Obviously this book has some angst, but it’s not a ton and overall this is a feel good romance.
This is a book that is easy to recommend to romance fans. I really enjoyed this and expect others will too. This has made me want to read the few Brown book’s I haven’t and to keep a sharp eye out for what she puts out next.
An ARC was given to me by Bella, for a honest review.
Sophie is a political reporter trying to make a name for herself. When her boss tells her she is to go undercover, as a housekeeper, to dig up dirt on one of Australia’s and America’s most beloved actresses, Sophie wants nothing to do with the job. Her boss gives her no choice and Sophie is off to spend two months, at a private resort, with Eleanor in the Whitsundays. The more time they spend together, the more feelings become involved. Will Sophie do her job or listen to her heart?
I don’t know what it is, but a romance between a big Hollywood star and a regular blue collar woman, always works for me. It really is one of my favorite hooks in lesfic romance and this book didn’t disappoint. I just really liked how the romance slowly built and how they just got closer and closer. The chemistry was absolutely there, and they were a very believable couple. You just hope and hope for a HEA.
The characters in this book were great. It wasn’t just the two mains, but the supporting cast was well done too. Everyone was fleshed out and you remembered all of their names even if they didn’t play a huge roll. Brown definitely writes characters well. On top of that the setting of the Whitsundays; you can’t get much more beautiful than that.
The only issue I had with the book is that Sophie being there is based on a lie. I don’t like when a book starts off like that because it makes it so you are just waiting for the other shoe to drop. But the way Brown handled it, I’m okay with it. She didn’t leave it until the last minute, so there was actually time for a proper ending which I really appreciate. Obviously this book has some angst, but it’s not a ton and overall this is a feel good romance.
This is a book that is easy to recommend to romance fans. I really enjoyed this and expect others will too. This has made me want to read the few Brown book’s I haven’t and to keep a sharp eye out for what she puts out next.
An ARC was given to me by Bella, for a honest review.
January 14, 2018
Playing the Spy is the sixth novel by Maggie Brown, but only my second by her. I have read her debut I Can't Dance Alone, and was not happy with it. I am glad I tried again, because her growth as an author and storyteller is really visible.
Playing the Spy is a contemporary romance predominantly set in an exclusive island resort in the Great Barrier Reef. Eleanor Godwin (34) is an Australian Oscar winning actress and Hollywood star who must recover her health after a particularly difficult and exhausting role. Her housekeeper for two months is Sophie Marsh (29) an undercover journalist looking for revealing informations about the reticent star.
We already know what to expect when a relationship starts with lies and deception. The question is only when and how it will crash. The author made a pretty good story with that "when and how" with a solid plot and nice epilogue. I liked the protagonists and the setting, and there were a few good supporting characters.
Overall a good, well-written and enjoyable book. Will definitely try Brown's other backlist titles because I think I missed some pleasant reads.
3.75 stars
Jan 14, 2018
*A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.*
Playing the Spy is a contemporary romance predominantly set in an exclusive island resort in the Great Barrier Reef. Eleanor Godwin (34) is an Australian Oscar winning actress and Hollywood star who must recover her health after a particularly difficult and exhausting role. Her housekeeper for two months is Sophie Marsh (29) an undercover journalist looking for revealing informations about the reticent star.
We already know what to expect when a relationship starts with lies and deception. The question is only when and how it will crash. The author made a pretty good story with that "when and how" with a solid plot and nice epilogue. I liked the protagonists and the setting, and there were a few good supporting characters.
Overall a good, well-written and enjoyable book. Will definitely try Brown's other backlist titles because I think I missed some pleasant reads.
3.75 stars
Jan 14, 2018
*A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.*
March 19, 2020
After being given no other choice by her editor, Sophie, a reporter reluctantly agrees to become housekeeper in order to dig up dirt on Eleanor, the big Hollywood star. Eleanor and Sophie develop a friendship that slowly morphs into love which leaves poor good-hearted Sophie in a pickle since she is supposed to be 'Playing the Spy'.
The MCs were very well developed and the secondary characters were all quite colourful and I don't just mean Ginny's love for pink. Austen was very interesting and I looked forward to her scenes.
The secret was a ticking time bomb and when it exploded I was surprised at Eleanor's forgiving attitude. This was a chance for great angst which I was both dreading and looking forward to. I guess the fast forgiveness did match the happy tune of the book. After the island, the book dragged on for a minute but once they reconciled it was all sunshine and rainbows again.
The MCs were very well developed and the secondary characters were all quite colourful and I don't just mean Ginny's love for pink. Austen was very interesting and I looked forward to her scenes.
The secret was a ticking time bomb and when it exploded I was surprised at Eleanor's forgiving attitude. This was a chance for great angst which I was both dreading and looking forward to. I guess the fast forgiveness did match the happy tune of the book. After the island, the book dragged on for a minute but once they reconciled it was all sunshine and rainbows again.
February 5, 2018
“Playing the Spy” wasn’t what I expected, because once again I failed to read a book blurb and picked up the book because of lots of good reviews, which I obviously didn’t read as carefully as I normally do either! So the book isn’t about a government spy, it’s about a reporter who is assigned to spy on a celebrity to get some dirt and sell papers. I figured I’d finish the story to justify the 1* I immediately planned to rate the book.
I consider myself a very tolerant person. But I have very little tolerance for journalists. They are as manipulative and generally as much of lying scumbags as the politicians and businesses they write about. Wow…did I just write that? Well, ok, it actually felt kinda good to get that off my chest. Maybe I need to quit reading newspapers and political stories for awhile…lesfic makes me so much calmer and happier!!
With regards to the story, in-the-closet MC Sophie is assigned to work undercover for two months as housekeeper and cook for in-the-closet MC Eleanor. Eleanor is an Academy Award winning actress whom everybody loves, and the newspaper editor decides she must have juicy secrets to uncover, ethics be damned.
Eleanor is retreating to an exclusive island for two months to recover physically and emotionally from a grueling role she’s just completed. She’s truly physically ill, and under a specialist doctor’s care. So Sophie accepts an assignment to get the ill, emotionally trusting and caring, and intensely private Eleanor to share something that the world has no right to know, so Sophie can betray Eleanor’s trust. She’s even excited that she’s being paid by Eleanor as well as earning her salary from the newspaper. I hate this theme, I hate this theme, and I can’t wait to hate Sophie and I can’t wait to write a blistering review.
And then I read past the set-up. The book is funny; hilarious at many points! The first time our MCs encounter one another, and the first time they meet make me laugh even as I still couldn’t wait to justify a 1* rating. And then I read further. I read of Eleanor’s frustration with her private life, despite her highly successful career. I read of Sophie’s frustration with her private life, and her frustration with her professional life…especially being forced into being a tabloid reporter when she dreams of more.
Sophie is caretaker for Eleanor while she is ill. Sophie and Eleanor spend time together, and I enjoy, more and more, reading of their time together. It’s a small island, but the other characters are fun too, and play great secondary roles. Eleanor’s agent Carol, and famous singer Austen (who has a history with Eleanor) and Eleanor’s aunt Ginny arrive on the island, and play great parts.
Their daily life together on the island is described in rich detail. The theme of spy and betray retreats into the background as a slow burn romance develops for our MCs, and the book is becoming more and more enjoyable. Delightful sex scenes occur, and the book is becoming even MORE enjoyable. I begin focusing on more typical lesfic flaws rather than the theme I hate. First, the rich-girl-poor-girl class differences is overdone after awhile. Secondly, Sophie being a doormat at work and with her best friend Brie just doesn’t match with Sophie being super confident and amazing in her interactions with the rich & famous on the island.
For 75% of the book, I enjoyed that the betrayal theme wasn’t the focus of Sophie’s time with Eleanor, though it was predictable that the shoe would drop and create the dreaded angst moment. I was disappointed that, once again, a lesfic MC declares love and then immediately won’t even listen to her love. Sigh…
Well, Sophie behaves well, friends continue to play a role in bringing our girls back together, lesbians come out to family, friends, work and the world and we have an HEA. I found tears in my eyes I was so happy for Sophie and Eleanor.
Well, damn. I want an audiobook - Voice Dream did a fine job, but I want Hollie Jackson or Abby Cramer. I want to read/listen to “Playing the Spy” again. I smack myself on the side of my head and realize I loved this book and am considering rating it 5*. I would, except there’s still part of me pissed off at trash journalism and Sophie planning to betray the trust of a nice person. Still, I recommend “Playing the Spy” and rate it 4* instead of my planned 1*. A good author can overcome a bad first impression!
I consider myself a very tolerant person. But I have very little tolerance for journalists. They are as manipulative and generally as much of lying scumbags as the politicians and businesses they write about. Wow…did I just write that? Well, ok, it actually felt kinda good to get that off my chest. Maybe I need to quit reading newspapers and political stories for awhile…lesfic makes me so much calmer and happier!!
With regards to the story, in-the-closet MC Sophie is assigned to work undercover for two months as housekeeper and cook for in-the-closet MC Eleanor. Eleanor is an Academy Award winning actress whom everybody loves, and the newspaper editor decides she must have juicy secrets to uncover, ethics be damned.
Eleanor is retreating to an exclusive island for two months to recover physically and emotionally from a grueling role she’s just completed. She’s truly physically ill, and under a specialist doctor’s care. So Sophie accepts an assignment to get the ill, emotionally trusting and caring, and intensely private Eleanor to share something that the world has no right to know, so Sophie can betray Eleanor’s trust. She’s even excited that she’s being paid by Eleanor as well as earning her salary from the newspaper. I hate this theme, I hate this theme, and I can’t wait to hate Sophie and I can’t wait to write a blistering review.
And then I read past the set-up. The book is funny; hilarious at many points! The first time our MCs encounter one another, and the first time they meet make me laugh even as I still couldn’t wait to justify a 1* rating. And then I read further. I read of Eleanor’s frustration with her private life, despite her highly successful career. I read of Sophie’s frustration with her private life, and her frustration with her professional life…especially being forced into being a tabloid reporter when she dreams of more.
Sophie is caretaker for Eleanor while she is ill. Sophie and Eleanor spend time together, and I enjoy, more and more, reading of their time together. It’s a small island, but the other characters are fun too, and play great secondary roles. Eleanor’s agent Carol, and famous singer Austen (who has a history with Eleanor) and Eleanor’s aunt Ginny arrive on the island, and play great parts.
Their daily life together on the island is described in rich detail. The theme of spy and betray retreats into the background as a slow burn romance develops for our MCs, and the book is becoming more and more enjoyable. Delightful sex scenes occur, and the book is becoming even MORE enjoyable. I begin focusing on more typical lesfic flaws rather than the theme I hate. First, the rich-girl-poor-girl class differences is overdone after awhile. Secondly, Sophie being a doormat at work and with her best friend Brie just doesn’t match with Sophie being super confident and amazing in her interactions with the rich & famous on the island.
For 75% of the book, I enjoyed that the betrayal theme wasn’t the focus of Sophie’s time with Eleanor, though it was predictable that the shoe would drop and create the dreaded angst moment. I was disappointed that, once again, a lesfic MC declares love and then immediately won’t even listen to her love. Sigh…
Well, Sophie behaves well, friends continue to play a role in bringing our girls back together, lesbians come out to family, friends, work and the world and we have an HEA. I found tears in my eyes I was so happy for Sophie and Eleanor.
Well, damn. I want an audiobook - Voice Dream did a fine job, but I want Hollie Jackson or Abby Cramer. I want to read/listen to “Playing the Spy” again. I smack myself on the side of my head and realize I loved this book and am considering rating it 5*. I would, except there’s still part of me pissed off at trash journalism and Sophie planning to betray the trust of a nice person. Still, I recommend “Playing the Spy” and rate it 4* instead of my planned 1*. A good author can overcome a bad first impression!
February 12, 2018
This was like a roller coaster; up, up, up till chapter 30 and then... the ride gets stuck!
Have you ever read fanfiction that the author marked as complete and during the last few chapters you're scratching your head wondering what's happening? I feel like at one point this author thought to herself "f*ck it, i'm bored let's wrap this up and start another fic".
I was thoroughly enjoying this story. The pacing was great, the main characters had sizzling chemistry and it was all written interesting enough for me not to skim any pages at all. And then the inevitable break up happened. From that point on not only did the story start to drag but I was truly confused as to why all of a sudden these characters seemed to undergo a personality change. One minute they're ready to say goodbye but then orgasm(s) happen and they're back to saying I love you.
The ending felt rushed which is a shame because this ends up with a 3.75* rating when it could have been a lot higher.
Have you ever read fanfiction that the author marked as complete and during the last few chapters you're scratching your head wondering what's happening? I feel like at one point this author thought to herself "f*ck it, i'm bored let's wrap this up and start another fic".
I was thoroughly enjoying this story. The pacing was great, the main characters had sizzling chemistry and it was all written interesting enough for me not to skim any pages at all. And then the inevitable break up happened. From that point on not only did the story start to drag but I was truly confused as to why all of a sudden these characters seemed to undergo a personality change. One minute they're ready to say goodbye but then orgasm(s) happen and they're back to saying I love you.
The ending felt rushed which is a shame because this ends up with a 3.75* rating when it could have been a lot higher.
February 20, 2021
Quite good !!
I really liked it but I could have done WITHOUT the still too numerous typos (just an example which really pissed me off : "Maria" suddenly becoming "Marie" and it stayed like this for a while ... I don't like typos but when they come on a character's name ... Duh !!!) and other mistakes (which annoyed me the most was when a waiter took the MCs' drink orders after they settled down in their private booth but, just a few lines below, the same waiter came to ... know what he could offer them to drink !!! Seriously ???)
I really liked it but I could have done WITHOUT the still too numerous typos (just an example which really pissed me off : "Maria" suddenly becoming "Marie" and it stayed like this for a while ... I don't like typos but when they come on a character's name ... Duh !!!) and other mistakes (which annoyed me the most was when a waiter took the MCs' drink orders after they settled down in their private booth but, just a few lines below, the same waiter came to ... know what he could offer them to drink !!! Seriously ???)
April 17, 2018
This is a decent romance.
I love the pace, and everything in between. Eleanor is that elusive queen that isn't predictable at most time, you'd wonder what she'd do next. Then Sophie is that kind-hearted person whose personality is so fragile although can be resilient. I like these characters, they're quite likable.
The romance just flow, well-paced and typical rich girl poor girl, well add some deception into it.
This was a good romance for my 2018 read. I enjoyed thoroughly, but the ending is way too rushed, I can't even seem to comprehend anything. The writer left me hanging lol, i feel like "i need more of it" but damn it's the end of the book already.
I love the pace, and everything in between. Eleanor is that elusive queen that isn't predictable at most time, you'd wonder what she'd do next. Then Sophie is that kind-hearted person whose personality is so fragile although can be resilient. I like these characters, they're quite likable.
The romance just flow, well-paced and typical rich girl poor girl, well add some deception into it.
This was a good romance for my 2018 read. I enjoyed thoroughly, but the ending is way too rushed, I can't even seem to comprehend anything. The writer left me hanging lol, i feel like "i need more of it" but damn it's the end of the book already.
February 25, 2019
4.25 stars
This story is told from both heroine's POV's and they were both compelling characters. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
My one quibble, and it is small, is the story opens with how sick she is and her thyroid is playing up. That's a serious issue, yet by the 20% mark her thyroid issues were never mentioned again. I guess when she gained weight, her 'under' active thyroid righted itself.
***
I can't say how long, or how many times, I've stared at the cover, but if someone can tell me what that brown thing in her hand is, please do.
This story is told from both heroine's POV's and they were both compelling characters. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
My one quibble, and it is small, is the story opens with how sick she is and her thyroid is playing up. That's a serious issue, yet by the 20% mark her thyroid issues were never mentioned again. I guess when she gained weight, her 'under' active thyroid righted itself.
***
I can't say how long, or how many times, I've stared at the cover, but if someone can tell me what that brown thing in her hand is, please do.
January 28, 2018
Oh, I liked the story and mostly its two main characters. Mostly because Eleonore talks like a old lady with her darlings and pompous vocabulary. And the chemistry at the end wasn't as good as at the beginning, it made me skip paragraphs to get it over with. Interesting ending, could have been more exciting, more gripping, more romancy :) 3,5 stars
January 25, 2018
3.9 stars. I quite liked it. Decent characters, good story, an alright supporting cast.
It's a bit predictable but that is always the case with these deception or rich girl poor girl stories. I wish the characters would be a bit more realistic, besides the deception angle they're both 1% of the top 1% - smart, beautiful, kind, patient, cooks like a chef, talented and successful in writing, best actress in the world, add another positive trait here. They're too idealized for my liking and come off as fairy tale characters rather than actual human beings.
Otherwise a solid read. Shoutout to Kurt, sharing is caring.
It's a bit predictable but that is always the case with these deception or rich girl poor girl stories. I wish the characters would be a bit more realistic, besides the deception angle they're both 1% of the top 1% - smart, beautiful, kind, patient, cooks like a chef, talented and successful in writing, best actress in the world, add another positive trait here. They're too idealized for my liking and come off as fairy tale characters rather than actual human beings.
Otherwise a solid read. Shoutout to Kurt, sharing is caring.
February 5, 2018
It’s my first one from the author and I really don’t know what to expect.
At first I was having a hard time connecting with the characters, don’t get me wrong I think it was just me.
Good thing I didn’t gave up. :))
It’s sweet. It’s light. Yes there’s a pushing and pulling and some jealousy. (I find it cute actually)
No major drama. If you’re a fan of Hollywood give this book a try.
Btw, I do agree Ellie speaks like an old lady. :)) I think she’s only 32? Correct me please, if I’m wrong.
I only remember Sophie’s age. 29.
At first I was having a hard time connecting with the characters, don’t get me wrong I think it was just me.
Good thing I didn’t gave up. :))
It’s sweet. It’s light. Yes there’s a pushing and pulling and some jealousy. (I find it cute actually)
No major drama. If you’re a fan of Hollywood give this book a try.
Btw, I do agree Ellie speaks like an old lady. :)) I think she’s only 32? Correct me please, if I’m wrong.
I only remember Sophie’s age. 29.
April 9, 2018
Lies and deception is never a good way to start a relationship. It is a damn good way to start a romance novel though. Add in chemistry and a whole lot of sexiness and you have a book by Maggie Brown you just won’t want to put down.
Eleanor Godwin is a mega-star in Hollywood and beloved by many. As a household name, Eleanor has very little privacy and the small amounts she does have she guards fiercely. After wrapping up a punishing role, Eleanor is exhausted and ill from the toll she reeked on her body to get into character. She decides to return to her birth country of Australia for some much needed rest out of the public’s eye.
Our other main character is a journalist on the political beat. Sophie Marsh is forced by her editor to take an undercover role, as a housekeeper/cook to infiltrate the life of Eleanor Godwin. Sophie has no interest in Hollywood or reporting on entertainment news. Her sexist boss forces her to take the role or hit the unemployment line. The young journalist reluctantly agrees knowing that this is so wrong on so many levels and decides upon arrival at the private island she will not do harm to Eleanor Godwin’s reputation no matter what.
This adorable and sweet relationship blossoms from a reluctant friendship to an all-out burning love affair. The two main characters are delightful and you love them for their kindness and strength as well as the many missteps they make on their journey to happily ever after. You root for their success all the way through. A fantastic read!
Eleanor Godwin is a mega-star in Hollywood and beloved by many. As a household name, Eleanor has very little privacy and the small amounts she does have she guards fiercely. After wrapping up a punishing role, Eleanor is exhausted and ill from the toll she reeked on her body to get into character. She decides to return to her birth country of Australia for some much needed rest out of the public’s eye.
Our other main character is a journalist on the political beat. Sophie Marsh is forced by her editor to take an undercover role, as a housekeeper/cook to infiltrate the life of Eleanor Godwin. Sophie has no interest in Hollywood or reporting on entertainment news. Her sexist boss forces her to take the role or hit the unemployment line. The young journalist reluctantly agrees knowing that this is so wrong on so many levels and decides upon arrival at the private island she will not do harm to Eleanor Godwin’s reputation no matter what.
This adorable and sweet relationship blossoms from a reluctant friendship to an all-out burning love affair. The two main characters are delightful and you love them for their kindness and strength as well as the many missteps they make on their journey to happily ever after. You root for their success all the way through. A fantastic read!
January 26, 2018
loved this book. Lots of fun (and some heartache) with a really good story-line. The two women have great chemistry and you just hope they'll end up together. Maggie Brown certainly has the knack of making her characters "real" people and the book is littered with interesting women and men. I like that she doesn't just concentrate on the major characters, but gives everyone in the book an excellent profile. The setting on the island is magic as well, making this a top read.
May 2, 2018
I enjoyed this. I liked both Sophie and Eleanor as characters and the fact that Sophie was just as concerned about coming out as Eleanor was. They had good chemistry, lots of dialogue (maybe not enough about the important things) and a some space to develop. The secondary characters are well-rounded and added a nice dimension to the story.
February 22, 2018
I loved this book from start to finish. Sorry, I’m not much of a reviewer...so that’s all you’ll get...just had to express how happy I was with this book. Now, on to the next! 😊
February 8, 2018
Great story. Wonderful characters. What's not to like?
June 21, 2020
3.5/5 stars
I want to preface this by saying its been almost a week since I have read this book. I've been really busy this week and have fallen behind on my reviews, oh well. So not only is this book not as fresh in my mind as I would want, this book has also proved not to be very memorable for me. While I enjoyed reading it, despite having a few issues, it just hasn't stuck with me at all. While this isn't the be-all-end-all criteria of enjoying a book, I have read so many fantastic romance novels recently, so this one just isn't standing up to the rest for me.
Despite that, I don't want you thinking that this wasn't an enjoyable book. It was a fun, sweet and sometimes sexy romance. It was ticking all the boxes of what I enjoy, I love reading about famous characters in romance and falling for people you aren't meant to (in this case Sophie was meant to be writing an expose on Eleanor). They definitely had a good connection and the island/isolated setting was also really fun. There were some really fun, sweet moments that captured my attention, and this was also a very quick/addictive read. Buuut, I still wanted more.
The pacing of the novel in relation to the romance was the main problem for me. While it wasn't necessarily an insta-love situation, I was still quite confused and conflicted on how the romance developed. It was hitting all the points in the transition from friends to attraction to lovers to partners etc. I just felt like it wasn't transitioning smoothly between these stages, so I just wasn't sold. It was like one scene would happen to change the stage of their relationship, but very little follow up. It was definitely one of those books that tended to rely on telling us about the relationship rather than showing it through the gradual development. I don't know if this sounds sensical at all, but the gist of it was I didn't think the relationship developed smoothly.
I want to preface this by saying its been almost a week since I have read this book. I've been really busy this week and have fallen behind on my reviews, oh well. So not only is this book not as fresh in my mind as I would want, this book has also proved not to be very memorable for me. While I enjoyed reading it, despite having a few issues, it just hasn't stuck with me at all. While this isn't the be-all-end-all criteria of enjoying a book, I have read so many fantastic romance novels recently, so this one just isn't standing up to the rest for me.
Despite that, I don't want you thinking that this wasn't an enjoyable book. It was a fun, sweet and sometimes sexy romance. It was ticking all the boxes of what I enjoy, I love reading about famous characters in romance and falling for people you aren't meant to (in this case Sophie was meant to be writing an expose on Eleanor). They definitely had a good connection and the island/isolated setting was also really fun. There were some really fun, sweet moments that captured my attention, and this was also a very quick/addictive read. Buuut, I still wanted more.
The pacing of the novel in relation to the romance was the main problem for me. While it wasn't necessarily an insta-love situation, I was still quite confused and conflicted on how the romance developed. It was hitting all the points in the transition from friends to attraction to lovers to partners etc. I just felt like it wasn't transitioning smoothly between these stages, so I just wasn't sold. It was like one scene would happen to change the stage of their relationship, but very little follow up. It was definitely one of those books that tended to rely on telling us about the relationship rather than showing it through the gradual development. I don't know if this sounds sensical at all, but the gist of it was I didn't think the relationship developed smoothly.
January 31, 2018
Sophie Marsh is a journalist who is forced by her boss to disguise as a maid to dig up secrets on Hollywood star Eleanor Godwin. As a political journalist, Sophie is annoyed with her assignment but once she gets to know the ice queen actress and starts to have feelings for her, she is confronted with a moral dilemma. Shall Sophie reveal Eleanor's secrets to keep her job or shall she respect her privacy and the new feelings they have for each other?
This is a well written and entertaining book with the idyllic setting of the Australian Great barrier reef. Ms. Brown's description of the landscape is vivid and is the perfect background for a romance. The main characters are skilfully portrayed, Eleanor is a typical ice queen, very talented but distant. Sophie is vibrant, caring and too well read for a maid. Their chemistry is sizzling and the intimacy hot. However, I didn't find the story very realistic specially at the beginning and the end seemed a bit rushed. Anyway, it's a well written and entertaining book worth a read if you are into I've queens or like romances between celebrities and ordinary people.
Overall, a good romance with a beautiful setting. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
This is a well written and entertaining book with the idyllic setting of the Australian Great barrier reef. Ms. Brown's description of the landscape is vivid and is the perfect background for a romance. The main characters are skilfully portrayed, Eleanor is a typical ice queen, very talented but distant. Sophie is vibrant, caring and too well read for a maid. Their chemistry is sizzling and the intimacy hot. However, I didn't find the story very realistic specially at the beginning and the end seemed a bit rushed. Anyway, it's a well written and entertaining book worth a read if you are into I've queens or like romances between celebrities and ordinary people.
Overall, a good romance with a beautiful setting. 3.5 stars.
ARC provided the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
See all my reviews at
www.lezreviewbooks.wordpress.com
July 3, 2018
The dialogue in this is about as flowing and natural as me in heels.
February 20, 2018
I actually like this book alot. Both main characters are likable and they both definitely have chemistry. And i really enjoyed the story. Though, i kind of read this book with self-conscious because of synopis. Sophie was a spy, working for Eleanor. And i knew its just a matter of time before the bomb drop and she got discovered and you know what is going to happen next. And one thing that didnt quite make sense to me And i really like Ginny. She’s a funny old lady. And i also like other supportive characters too. Ohh.. not to mention, for some reason i really like how things work out between Sophie and Eleanor.
April 15, 2021
Enthralled me all through. I did some guessing games on how the plot will pen out and I am impressed the author beat me on two occasions.
Enjoyed my time reading this.
Enjoyed my time reading this.
January 15, 2018
This is a very entertaining, well-written book. Box office star Eleanor Godwin goes to an exclusive Island resort for two months to recuperate after a gruelling time filming her latest movie about a lesbian drug addict. The editor of the Morning Globe forges a resume for his reporter Sophie Marsh, so she can win the position of Eleanor's housekeeper. Her job is to spy on the reclusive star to dig up some dirt.
And so the story goes from there. It is a sweet romance and kept me enthalled to the end, with a nice Epilogue to finish off the story. The two women are likeable heroines, and you can't help but root for them to have a happy ending, even though Sophie is there under false pretences. As always, Maggie Brown has lots of interesting supporting characters. I particularly liked Austen and Ginny. They were great fun. The book is filled with humour and wit, with lots of clever throwaway lines. All in all, a great read.
And so the story goes from there. It is a sweet romance and kept me enthalled to the end, with a nice Epilogue to finish off the story. The two women are likeable heroines, and you can't help but root for them to have a happy ending, even though Sophie is there under false pretences. As always, Maggie Brown has lots of interesting supporting characters. I particularly liked Austen and Ginny. They were great fun. The book is filled with humour and wit, with lots of clever throwaway lines. All in all, a great read.
April 21, 2021
I really liked the setting of this novel - the gorgeous Whitsundays in Queensland, Australia. Unfortunately though, I just didn't connect with the characters or the romance in this.
March 14, 2018
It took 6 days to finish. Because the author use Australian English? Humm. Hard to read faster...
I liked Sophie and Eleanor. I liked how the author wrote their love.
I liked Sophie and Eleanor. I liked how the author wrote their love.
July 19, 2018
Eleanor Godwin, celebrity extraordinaire, is burned out and exhausted. She escapes her life to a private island for some R&R but needs someone to help care for her. Enters, Sophie Marsh, cook and housekeeper. Or is she??
Weird phrasing:
•“But so far, I’ve managed to keep a low profile in the scandal stakes.”
•Surely, someone with her sultry good looks, cooking skills, and pleasant nature, should have been snaffled up long ago.
•Woe betide any of us who stray from the path of righteousness.
•She had become enormously attracted to the stay (what red-blooded lesbian wouldn’t be),
•“My shout then.”
•“...puffing like billy trains.”
•“It was a cert there would be a few snide remarks...”
WTF??
Weird phrasing:
•“But so far, I’ve managed to keep a low profile in the scandal stakes.”
•Surely, someone with her sultry good looks, cooking skills, and pleasant nature, should have been snaffled up long ago.
•Woe betide any of us who stray from the path of righteousness.
•She had become enormously attracted to the stay (what red-blooded lesbian wouldn’t be),
•“My shout then.”
•“...puffing like billy trains.”
•“It was a cert there would be a few snide remarks...”
WTF??
July 24, 2025
What a delightful romance and read. Taking place in Australia added to the ambience and the chance to learn more nuances of the language. The story involves an established movie star who needs to rest after her last movie, and a reporter living undercover who is hired by said actress. Throw in a beautifully described tropical location, some odd ball second characters, closets, family and friend and you just have a winner of a story. Can’t wait to read more Maggie Brown.
July 16, 2018
Leggera e simpatica "lettura da spiaggia". Completamente inverosimile, si intende, ma si sa, in questo genere di libro le storie d'amore funzionano proprio come nelle favole... e in fondo qualche volta va anche bene così, ché non solo di traumi e angustie varie è tenuta a basarsi la vita di una povera lettrice!
Non so se in futuro mi capiterà di leggere altro di quest'autrice, ma di certo non è una cosa che escludo a priori.
Non so se in futuro mi capiterà di leggere altro di quest'autrice, ma di certo non è una cosa che escludo a priori.
February 5, 2018
Terrific book. Great love story and super fun. One I'll read again.
June 21, 2021
Okay, so I wanted to read a book set in an ocean paradise, and that's exactly what I did. If the pandemic is going to keep me from being able to travel to a beach, I might as well read a story set at one. And while the setting definitely did not disappoint, the story wasn't very good.
The premise of Playing the Spy is great. Sophie's a journalist who's been assigned to get dirt on award-winning actress Eleanor, so Sophie's employer sets her up as Eleanor's housekeeper while Eleanor spends two months recuperating from her latest role at an exclusive private island in the Whitsundays off the Australian coast. I already know how this story is going to play out and I love everything about it. But I struggled with this because the writing let me down. There was a lot of awkward phrasing and a lot of telling me how the characters were feeling/reacting to each other without really selling it to me. I know Maggie Brown is Australian, so maybe there's some differences in phrasing, etc., but I've never experienced this before with Australian writers.
This trope works because the characters really need to get to know one another before they can eventually be together. And because Eleanor is a celebrity, there's really not a love at first sight element to deal with since Sophie already knows who Eleanor is. But there is a perceived social status dynamic and definitely a power dynamic and let's not forget the betrayal aspect that is inevitable. But this just fell completely flat.
I don't understand why they're attracted to each other. Sure, the narrative tells me they are, but I don't really see any evidence of it. There's just something very wooden about their encounters and, quite frankly, I was bored.
And Eleanor is supposed to be this super nice person without any skeletons in her closet, but she's also really judgmental--there's a lot of slut-shaming in this book that put me off. And why does she speak so formally? The dialogue in general was... not great, but Eleanor's dialogue was especially bad.
The premise of Playing the Spy is great. Sophie's a journalist who's been assigned to get dirt on award-winning actress Eleanor, so Sophie's employer sets her up as Eleanor's housekeeper while Eleanor spends two months recuperating from her latest role at an exclusive private island in the Whitsundays off the Australian coast. I already know how this story is going to play out and I love everything about it. But I struggled with this because the writing let me down. There was a lot of awkward phrasing and a lot of telling me how the characters were feeling/reacting to each other without really selling it to me. I know Maggie Brown is Australian, so maybe there's some differences in phrasing, etc., but I've never experienced this before with Australian writers.
This trope works because the characters really need to get to know one another before they can eventually be together. And because Eleanor is a celebrity, there's really not a love at first sight element to deal with since Sophie already knows who Eleanor is. But there is a perceived social status dynamic and definitely a power dynamic and let's not forget the betrayal aspect that is inevitable. But this just fell completely flat.
I don't understand why they're attracted to each other. Sure, the narrative tells me they are, but I don't really see any evidence of it. There's just something very wooden about their encounters and, quite frankly, I was bored.
And Eleanor is supposed to be this super nice person without any skeletons in her closet, but she's also really judgmental--there's a lot of slut-shaming in this book that put me off. And why does she speak so formally? The dialogue in general was... not great, but Eleanor's dialogue was especially bad.
February 15, 2021
I really wanted to like this book. I did. But I only ended up liking maybe 50% of the book, and that might be a stretch.
The idea was interesting, but it didn’t really feel like it was followed through during parts of the story. There just seemed to be entire sections where Sophie seemed to forget that she was a reporter there to get information on Eleanor.
I liked the beginning of this book. It was nice and I genuinely liked the chemistry between the two characters. However, eventually there became too much back and forth for me to truly get invested in it. Something would happen, someone would say it was a bad idea and pull back, something else would happen, someone would misinterpret something. It just got to be too much for me.
(These spoilers happen around the 80% part of the book and is me expressing personal opinions about how drama in this story unfolded. Read at your own risk.)
If you want a decent read, go for it. Personally though, it’s not going to be a book I recommend to others.
The idea was interesting, but it didn’t really feel like it was followed through during parts of the story. There just seemed to be entire sections where Sophie seemed to forget that she was a reporter there to get information on Eleanor.
I liked the beginning of this book. It was nice and I genuinely liked the chemistry between the two characters. However, eventually there became too much back and forth for me to truly get invested in it. Something would happen, someone would say it was a bad idea and pull back, something else would happen, someone would misinterpret something. It just got to be too much for me.
(These spoilers happen around the 80% part of the book and is me expressing personal opinions about how drama in this story unfolded. Read at your own risk.)
If you want a decent read, go for it. Personally though, it’s not going to be a book I recommend to others.
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