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The Royal Saboteurs #1
Beauty and the Thief
Callahan Kelly is a conman, pure and simple. With his dark hair, dark eyes, and dimpled smile, he can smooth talk anyone out of anything and has a keen nose for sniffing out liars and thieves. So clearly someone somewhere made a mistake including him on a train heading toward a training ground with an elite group of agents for the Crown. But Baron, the leader of the newly formed Royal Saboteurs, makes a deal with Callahan: stay until his troubles in London die down, and if he still wants to go, he’ll be paid and discharged. But Cal finds the training at the camp fascinating, and even more intriguing is Bridget, the red-haired beauty who’s immune to his charm. When Cal is asked to partner with Bridget to infiltrate a group of Irish separatists or return to London, the choice is neither simple nor easy.
Bridget Murray was sent from London to serve as Baron’s secretary. She never expected to be given the chance to carry out a mission for the Royal Saboteurs. She doesn’t like Callahan Kelly from the moment she meets him. But when they’re paired to infiltrate the Irish nationalists, she reluctantly agrees to pose as his wife. Living in close quarters with Callahan isn’t as awful as she expected, and that’s just the problem. The closer they become and the more real the danger surrounding him, the more she realizes she doesn’t ever want to let him go.
Bridget Murray was sent from London to serve as Baron’s secretary. She never expected to be given the chance to carry out a mission for the Royal Saboteurs. She doesn’t like Callahan Kelly from the moment she meets him. But when they’re paired to infiltrate the Irish nationalists, she reluctantly agrees to pose as his wife. Living in close quarters with Callahan isn’t as awful as she expected, and that’s just the problem. The closer they become and the more real the danger surrounding him, the more she realizes she doesn’t ever want to let him go.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2022
93 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
About the author
Shana Galen
98 books1,547 followersShana Galen is three-time Rita award nominee and the bestselling author of fast-paced, witty, and adventurous Regency romances. Kirkus says of her books, "The road to happily-ever-after is intense, conflicted, suspenseful and fun," and RT Bookreviews calls her books “lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making.
Want to know more? Visit Shana's website at http://www.shanagalen.com and sign up to be notified when Shana has a new release http://bit.ly/ShanaGalenNews
Want to know more? Visit Shana's website at http://www.shanagalen.com and sign up to be notified when Shana has a new release http://bit.ly/ShanaGalenNews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
August 8, 2022
Callahan Kelly is a thief, a trickster, a swindler, and there’s really no way around that. With his good looks and charm, he’s good at getting his own way and he knows how to spot another liar as well. So, he can’t quite figure out why he’s been included in a group of new agents in training to work for the Crown, heading to their secret training facility in the far north of England. But Baron, the leader of the Royal Saboteurs, has offered Cal too much money to refuse to at least go through with the first week of the training, with the option to leave if he wants and with full pay after that first week. Cal is surprised to find he doesn't mind the training so much and he’s enthralled by Bridget, Baron’s secretary, a lovely woman who shows no reaction at all to his charms. When he’s asked to take her as his partner and infiltrate a group of violent Irish separatists, rather than return to London, the choice is a difficult one on many levels.
Bridget Murray is just a secretary, not an agent. As such, she never expected to be given a mission to carry out and she’s certainly not fond of her partner. She disliked him from their first meeting but now their mission requires that she pretend to be his wife. Unfortunately, living in such close proximity with Cal isn’t nearly as bad as she expected it to be. In fact, as the two grow ever closer, and are thrown into more danger, she begins to realize that she doesn’t actually want to go back to living separate lives.
This book had a huge job to do with worldbuilding setup for the rest of the series, so I think the romance here did sometimes take a backseat, but the premise and all the characters that were introduced have me looking forward to more books in this series. I tend to be a bit of a sucker for spy stories, so I was very excited about this one and Cal is the type of wrong side of the tracks hero that is like kryptonite for me. Actually, I think it was a pretty bold move for Cal’s character to be as rough as he was and the fact that he was so openly flawed and so clearly still working to overcome some challenges that would typically be deal breakers in a romance hero (gambling/alcohol addiction), made him unique and, honestly, lovable. I did struggle to like Bridget much of the time. While Cal had excellent character development and growth, Bridget didn’t exhibit the same rate of change and much of the time I was annoyed by how easily offended she was over every little thing. She was often a little bit insufferable with her tendency to believe she already knew everything, despite her clear naivete, and to not give Cal enough credit for his street smarts. She definitely gave poor Cal a lot of mixed signals, but I loved that he challenged her in a way she’d never experienced before and she soon saw what she’d been missing, so that at least was a bit of an area of growth for her. I couldn’t help but root for Cal as he struggled and tried to do the right thing and that made it possible to see what Bridget saw in him, though they did at times seem like a bit of a mismatch, mainly because of her childhood with an alcoholic father. Although, that said, her experience with her father did help her see how different Cal really was and how much effort he was putting into changing himself. These two made a good team together, despite, or perhaps because of, their differences, and I’m excited to read more books to come in this new series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Bridget Murray is just a secretary, not an agent. As such, she never expected to be given a mission to carry out and she’s certainly not fond of her partner. She disliked him from their first meeting but now their mission requires that she pretend to be his wife. Unfortunately, living in such close proximity with Cal isn’t nearly as bad as she expected it to be. In fact, as the two grow ever closer, and are thrown into more danger, she begins to realize that she doesn’t actually want to go back to living separate lives.
This book had a huge job to do with worldbuilding setup for the rest of the series, so I think the romance here did sometimes take a backseat, but the premise and all the characters that were introduced have me looking forward to more books in this series. I tend to be a bit of a sucker for spy stories, so I was very excited about this one and Cal is the type of wrong side of the tracks hero that is like kryptonite for me. Actually, I think it was a pretty bold move for Cal’s character to be as rough as he was and the fact that he was so openly flawed and so clearly still working to overcome some challenges that would typically be deal breakers in a romance hero (gambling/alcohol addiction), made him unique and, honestly, lovable. I did struggle to like Bridget much of the time. While Cal had excellent character development and growth, Bridget didn’t exhibit the same rate of change and much of the time I was annoyed by how easily offended she was over every little thing. She was often a little bit insufferable with her tendency to believe she already knew everything, despite her clear naivete, and to not give Cal enough credit for his street smarts. She definitely gave poor Cal a lot of mixed signals, but I loved that he challenged her in a way she’d never experienced before and she soon saw what she’d been missing, so that at least was a bit of an area of growth for her. I couldn’t help but root for Cal as he struggled and tried to do the right thing and that made it possible to see what Bridget saw in him, though they did at times seem like a bit of a mismatch, mainly because of her childhood with an alcoholic father. Although, that said, her experience with her father did help her see how different Cal really was and how much effort he was putting into changing himself. These two made a good team together, despite, or perhaps because of, their differences, and I’m excited to read more books to come in this new series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Want to read
August 11, 2022NEW SG JUST DROPPED!!! I just know I’m gonna inhale this
July 28, 2022
Maybe 4.5 stars.
Bridget Murray is the secretary to “Baron” the head of a secret government agency known as the Royal Saboteurs, an agency sworn to protect the crown and country from threats. Bridget works closely with the Baron and specializes in decryption, but today she is charged with escorting several new recruits to the agency's training facility, known as “The Farm”. With the train due to leave in minutes, she is still missing one man – Callahan “Cal” Kelly, and let's just say their first meeting was memorable. Bridget can’t understand why the Baron would want the Irishman, in her experience, Irishmen are not trustworthy or dependable, at least her dad wasn’t.
Cal is a charming conman, plain and simple, he is also a thief, a recovering alcoholic, and a recovering gambling addict, who has no idea why the Baron thinks he could be useful to him, but the money he offered Cal could set him on a new path and since he needed to get out of London for a bit anyway, he accepted the invite. He even starts to enjoy the training and is doing very well, but what he especially likes is teasing the uptight Miss Murray, who is all that is prim and proper, but clearly has a fire burning in her that is as vibrant as her lovely hair!
After a few weeks of training, it becomes clear why the Baron sought out Cal, he needed an Irishman to infiltrate a group of anarchists in Ireland, intent on breaking the Act of Union and reclaiming the Kingdom of Ireland. At first, Cal is eager to get on with the mission and get paid. Add to that the fact that Bridget has been ordered to go with him, posing as his wife is a bonus, because it is clear to him, that she is not nearly as indifferent to him as she wants him to believe. But once they get to Dublin the danger becomes real and Cal will be tested at every turn and his loyalties questioned. Will he be the man he wants to be or will his demons cost him everything, including the woman he has come to love?
This was such a great story, in all honestly, it did start a bit slow, but that is to be expected with the first book in a series, as the author needs to set up the series, build the world, introduce characters, etc. But once they get to Dublin, the story takes off and is non-stop until the last page. Bridget started out uptight and a wee bit self-righteous, while Cal was shifty and self-serving, but they both embraced their destiny and evolved into truly wonderful characters. Their love story is filled with spies, secrets, murder, anarchists, steamyish love scenes, action, intrigue, and finally a hard-won HEA. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the next installment! I can without hesitation, highly recommend this title to both Historical Romance and Historical Intrigue fans.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
Bridget Murray is the secretary to “Baron” the head of a secret government agency known as the Royal Saboteurs, an agency sworn to protect the crown and country from threats. Bridget works closely with the Baron and specializes in decryption, but today she is charged with escorting several new recruits to the agency's training facility, known as “The Farm”. With the train due to leave in minutes, she is still missing one man – Callahan “Cal” Kelly, and let's just say their first meeting was memorable. Bridget can’t understand why the Baron would want the Irishman, in her experience, Irishmen are not trustworthy or dependable, at least her dad wasn’t.
Cal is a charming conman, plain and simple, he is also a thief, a recovering alcoholic, and a recovering gambling addict, who has no idea why the Baron thinks he could be useful to him, but the money he offered Cal could set him on a new path and since he needed to get out of London for a bit anyway, he accepted the invite. He even starts to enjoy the training and is doing very well, but what he especially likes is teasing the uptight Miss Murray, who is all that is prim and proper, but clearly has a fire burning in her that is as vibrant as her lovely hair!
After a few weeks of training, it becomes clear why the Baron sought out Cal, he needed an Irishman to infiltrate a group of anarchists in Ireland, intent on breaking the Act of Union and reclaiming the Kingdom of Ireland. At first, Cal is eager to get on with the mission and get paid. Add to that the fact that Bridget has been ordered to go with him, posing as his wife is a bonus, because it is clear to him, that she is not nearly as indifferent to him as she wants him to believe. But once they get to Dublin the danger becomes real and Cal will be tested at every turn and his loyalties questioned. Will he be the man he wants to be or will his demons cost him everything, including the woman he has come to love?
This was such a great story, in all honestly, it did start a bit slow, but that is to be expected with the first book in a series, as the author needs to set up the series, build the world, introduce characters, etc. But once they get to Dublin, the story takes off and is non-stop until the last page. Bridget started out uptight and a wee bit self-righteous, while Cal was shifty and self-serving, but they both embraced their destiny and evolved into truly wonderful characters. Their love story is filled with spies, secrets, murder, anarchists, steamyish love scenes, action, intrigue, and finally a hard-won HEA. I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the next installment! I can without hesitation, highly recommend this title to both Historical Romance and Historical Intrigue fans.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
August 8, 2022
Callahan Kelly is an Irish conman, pure and simple. With his dark hair, dark eyes, and dimpled smile & the gift of the Blarney. So clearly someone somewhere made a mistake including him on a train heading toward a training ground with an elite group of agents for the Crown. But Baron, the leader of the newly formed Royal Saboteurs, makes a deal with Callahan: stay until his troubles in London die down, and if he still wants to go, he’ll be paid and discharged. Bridget Murray was sent from London to serve as Baron’s secretary. She never expected to be given the chance to carry out a mission for the Royal Saboteurs. She doesn’t like Callahan Kelly from the moment she meets him. But when they’re paired to infiltrate the Irish nationalists, she reluctantly agrees to pose as his wife.
The first in a new series & another well written, fast paced story with wonderful characters. I loved both Cal & Bridget, he’s the smooth talking, charming rogue & she's the straight laced decoder, they were like chalk & cheese but the chemistry between them was electric. The more time they spent together the more the attraction grew. I loved the mix of intrigue & romance & found that once started I found it very hard to put down. I loved how the author set the scene for the series without labouring it but by instilling the element of mystery whilst all the time introducing us to the Royal Saboteurs. An engrossing, captivating read – roll on the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The first in a new series & another well written, fast paced story with wonderful characters. I loved both Cal & Bridget, he’s the smooth talking, charming rogue & she's the straight laced decoder, they were like chalk & cheese but the chemistry between them was electric. The more time they spent together the more the attraction grew. I loved the mix of intrigue & romance & found that once started I found it very hard to put down. I loved how the author set the scene for the series without labouring it but by instilling the element of mystery whilst all the time introducing us to the Royal Saboteurs. An engrossing, captivating read – roll on the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
August 12, 2022
Since 2015, when I got my Kindle Fire, I have read hundreds and hundreds of different authors but I only have 31 authors that I consider my favorites and have read all their books (in my genre). As a matter of fact, of all these 31 favorite authors, their combined total of books I’ve read is 1000 and my overall read total is just over 2500. So for them having that many books contributing to my overall total says a lot about their writing.
Shana Galen is one of these favorites. This will be my 40th book by her and I have been reading her since 2017.
I always love when an author puts out a new series. New adventures await. 😊 As I have mentioned before, I don’t read authors book synopsis’ anymore so I’m always totally surprised about everything when I start reading a book.
I enjoyed this book. I like Cal and Bridget. I liked the storyline. I’m a Regency snob so it read a bit modern for me at times but still a good read. The more I read, the better it got. I always know I’ll get a good read from Shana. Can’t wait to see where this series is headed. Such a good read.
Shana Galen is one of these favorites. This will be my 40th book by her and I have been reading her since 2017.
I always love when an author puts out a new series. New adventures await. 😊 As I have mentioned before, I don’t read authors book synopsis’ anymore so I’m always totally surprised about everything when I start reading a book.
I enjoyed this book. I like Cal and Bridget. I liked the storyline. I’m a Regency snob so it read a bit modern for me at times but still a good read. The more I read, the better it got. I always know I’ll get a good read from Shana. Can’t wait to see where this series is headed. Such a good read.
April 1, 2022
An exciting story from the very first chapter. The author is adept at writing stories of spies and intrigue and this book is a good start to what I believe is great new series. The characters are all compelling, even the secondary ones. Cal and Bridget are total opposites and are like oil and vinegar, their circumstances and backstories unfold as the story progresses, endearing them to the reader. The mission they embark on is plausible and the unfolding events are exciting and engaging. I’m so looking forward to the next book in this series!
April 2, 2022
4.5-5 Stars!! This is an awesome book! I love the main characters, Callahan and Bridget. They were opposites but worked well together. This is the first in a new series, ‘The Royal Saboteurs’ series, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next book. Danger, mystery, adventure, flirty banter, hot ‘sexy times’, intrigue, murder, and spying, oh my! This was an exciting read and I’d highly recommend it! You really can’t go wrong with a Shana Galen book!
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*
August 31, 2022
Review originally posted at https://smexybooks.com/2022/08/review...
I enjoyed this book so much! I thought I had read this author before, but according to Goodreads, I haven’t. Going in I had no idea what to expect other than the blurb mentioning a charming conman and the secretary for the leader of an organization called The Royal Saboteurs. I was pleasantly surprised when the excitement began literally from the first chapter.
Callahan Kelly is a conman. A very good conman who happens to owe money to quite a few people. He has a gambling problem… and a drinking problem… and a being an Irishman in London problem. But he receives an offer from a man one evening that will solve his money problems for now and get him out of the city.
Bridgit Murray is the secretary for the leader of a super secret spy organization in England. While at The Farm, she keeps everyone organized and on task, she also has a knack for code-breaking. The moment she meets Callahan Kelly, while he is running from a group of men and she is trying to get him on board a train bound for The Farm, she knows she can’t stand him or his too charming, up to no good ways.
Then they get sent on a mission together.
This book was just fun. Plain and simple fun. Cal is lighthearted and amusing, he knows his strengths and weaknesses and doesn’t pretend to be someone he isn’t. Bridgit is an organizer at heart, never without her trusty clipboard, and she takes exception to Cal’s teasing and what she perceives as insincerity. They are like oil and water, but share an attraction nonetheless.
When they get sent into Ireland tasked with infiltrating a group of Irish separatists, they must pretend to be husband and wife. Which will put them in close contact for an extended period of time and test the chemistry they share. It will also test Cal’s promises not to gamble or drink, two things he has an addiction to and is trying to refrain from.
I enjoyed watching Bridgit and Cal get to know each other and become closer, and eventually fall in love. Each has a difficult backstory, but for some reason, those backstories and even Cal’s struggle with his addictions do not change the tenor of this book. The action sucked me in in the first chapter, the characters and their chemistry kept me reading, and the ending left me with a smile on my face.
All in all an amusing, quick read for fans of historical romance. I am looking forward to the next book in the series so much.
Final grade- B+
I enjoyed this book so much! I thought I had read this author before, but according to Goodreads, I haven’t. Going in I had no idea what to expect other than the blurb mentioning a charming conman and the secretary for the leader of an organization called The Royal Saboteurs. I was pleasantly surprised when the excitement began literally from the first chapter.
Callahan Kelly is a conman. A very good conman who happens to owe money to quite a few people. He has a gambling problem… and a drinking problem… and a being an Irishman in London problem. But he receives an offer from a man one evening that will solve his money problems for now and get him out of the city.
Bridgit Murray is the secretary for the leader of a super secret spy organization in England. While at The Farm, she keeps everyone organized and on task, she also has a knack for code-breaking. The moment she meets Callahan Kelly, while he is running from a group of men and she is trying to get him on board a train bound for The Farm, she knows she can’t stand him or his too charming, up to no good ways.
Then they get sent on a mission together.
This book was just fun. Plain and simple fun. Cal is lighthearted and amusing, he knows his strengths and weaknesses and doesn’t pretend to be someone he isn’t. Bridgit is an organizer at heart, never without her trusty clipboard, and she takes exception to Cal’s teasing and what she perceives as insincerity. They are like oil and water, but share an attraction nonetheless.
When they get sent into Ireland tasked with infiltrating a group of Irish separatists, they must pretend to be husband and wife. Which will put them in close contact for an extended period of time and test the chemistry they share. It will also test Cal’s promises not to gamble or drink, two things he has an addiction to and is trying to refrain from.
I enjoyed watching Bridgit and Cal get to know each other and become closer, and eventually fall in love. Each has a difficult backstory, but for some reason, those backstories and even Cal’s struggle with his addictions do not change the tenor of this book. The action sucked me in in the first chapter, the characters and their chemistry kept me reading, and the ending left me with a smile on my face.
All in all an amusing, quick read for fans of historical romance. I am looking forward to the next book in the series so much.
Final grade- B+
August 9, 2022
New series with some peeks at some old favorite characters!
The Royal Saboteurs series kicks off with Cal and Bridget forced to travel to Ireland for Queen and Country. Too bad he’s a thief in it for the money and she’s “just a clerk” and they don’t like each other…or is everything the opposite of what it seems?
My favorite thing about a Shana Galen book is that I know I’m getting top notch historical romance with plenty of chemistry and spice AND mystery and intrigue on par with any romantic suspense out there.
The world building for the Royal Saboteurs was beautifully done, laying the ground work for future stories while also providing some updates from the Barbican agents of Lord and Lady Spy and True Spies, but took nothing away from Cal and Bridget’s adventures as agents and lovers.
I can’t wait for more!
CW/TW: discussions of alcoholism, gambling addiction, and domestic violence.
I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
The Royal Saboteurs series kicks off with Cal and Bridget forced to travel to Ireland for Queen and Country. Too bad he’s a thief in it for the money and she’s “just a clerk” and they don’t like each other…or is everything the opposite of what it seems?
My favorite thing about a Shana Galen book is that I know I’m getting top notch historical romance with plenty of chemistry and spice AND mystery and intrigue on par with any romantic suspense out there.
The world building for the Royal Saboteurs was beautifully done, laying the ground work for future stories while also providing some updates from the Barbican agents of Lord and Lady Spy and True Spies, but took nothing away from Cal and Bridget’s adventures as agents and lovers.
I can’t wait for more!
CW/TW: discussions of alcoholism, gambling addiction, and domestic violence.
I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
August 9, 2022
I'm always a bit apprehensive when I begin a new series by an author whose last series contained a string of 5-star reads. I'm happy to say that this first book in Shana Galen's The Royal Saboteurs more than met my expectations.
One of the facets I most enjoy about Galen's books are her richly detailed and wholly developed characters. That is especially true with Cal and Bridget. But they weren't the only thing I enjoyed about this book. First, the author took the story out of London society and dropped us at a rural "farm" which is actually a training site for government operatives. Then she gave us a prim and proper heroine who is a personal secretary/code breaker and paired her with a common-born thief and con man who's in it (his mission) for the money. Only the money. And he's the hero! Yes, please! There's so much opportunity for character growth on both sides and Galen takes full advantage with these two, evolving them organically over the course of their journey, especially once they embark upon their mission in Ireland. That's when the pace of the book really picks up as well.
The chapters set in Ireland feature intrigue, action, and danger - that had me eagerly flipping pages - without sacrificing the growing romance between Bridget and Cal. Their chemistry, snappy banter, and deepening feelings continued to evolve at a realistic and enjoyable pace along with their individual character growth. I loved how textured they were; how Cal slowly revealed the layers that life had placed upon him and Bridget gradually tested the boundaries of her comfort and capability, to the surprise of one another and, in some cases, of themselves.
The secondary cast includes several characters introduced during the early chapters of the book who are clearly destined for stories later in the series. We're given sneak peeks into their personalities and backgrounds - just enough to stir interest - while keeping the main spotlight on Cal and Bridget. I also have a feeling we'll be seeing more of some of the antagonists (Irish Nationals) in future stories as well. The adversarial relationship between the British government and the Irish Nationalists is introduced in this first book - with plenty of action and intrigue. I appreciated the complexity of the situation as presented in the book. With an Irish hero working for the British government there were bound to be some mixed feelings at play.
It appears that conflicts between the Irish Nationalists and other British operatives introduced in this first book might continue to be a primary focus of future books in this series. Wherever Galen takes her characters, I'm already hooked and eager to discover how it will all play out. Book two, Lady and the Scamp, is scheduled to be published October 11, 2022. I already have it on pre-order.
4.5 Stars
ARC received for fair and unbiased review
One of the facets I most enjoy about Galen's books are her richly detailed and wholly developed characters. That is especially true with Cal and Bridget. But they weren't the only thing I enjoyed about this book. First, the author took the story out of London society and dropped us at a rural "farm" which is actually a training site for government operatives. Then she gave us a prim and proper heroine who is a personal secretary/code breaker and paired her with a common-born thief and con man who's in it (his mission) for the money. Only the money. And he's the hero! Yes, please! There's so much opportunity for character growth on both sides and Galen takes full advantage with these two, evolving them organically over the course of their journey, especially once they embark upon their mission in Ireland. That's when the pace of the book really picks up as well.
The chapters set in Ireland feature intrigue, action, and danger - that had me eagerly flipping pages - without sacrificing the growing romance between Bridget and Cal. Their chemistry, snappy banter, and deepening feelings continued to evolve at a realistic and enjoyable pace along with their individual character growth. I loved how textured they were; how Cal slowly revealed the layers that life had placed upon him and Bridget gradually tested the boundaries of her comfort and capability, to the surprise of one another and, in some cases, of themselves.
The secondary cast includes several characters introduced during the early chapters of the book who are clearly destined for stories later in the series. We're given sneak peeks into their personalities and backgrounds - just enough to stir interest - while keeping the main spotlight on Cal and Bridget. I also have a feeling we'll be seeing more of some of the antagonists (Irish Nationals) in future stories as well. The adversarial relationship between the British government and the Irish Nationalists is introduced in this first book - with plenty of action and intrigue. I appreciated the complexity of the situation as presented in the book. With an Irish hero working for the British government there were bound to be some mixed feelings at play.
It appears that conflicts between the Irish Nationalists and other British operatives introduced in this first book might continue to be a primary focus of future books in this series. Wherever Galen takes her characters, I'm already hooked and eager to discover how it will all play out. Book two, Lady and the Scamp, is scheduled to be published October 11, 2022. I already have it on pre-order.
4.5 Stars
ARC received for fair and unbiased review
July 30, 2022
I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of Shana Galen’s Beauty and the Thief and the views expressed are my honest opinions.
Prim and proper Bridget Murray was tasked to direct new recruits to the Royal Saboteur’s remote training grounds, The Farms. With her superior’s specific instructions in mind, she impatiently waits for Callahan Kelly to make an appearance. When Cal arrives, Bridget immediately senses that he was trouble, especially since he was followed by thugs. Baron recruited Cal, an Irish conman by profession, to join part of the group of agents until Cal’s troubles in London calmed down. At each step of his journey, Cal is doubtful of his ability to keep to the agreement, given that he sticks out like a sore thumb. Apart from that, there is constant friction between Cal and Bridget, whom he dubs The Keeper of the Clipboard.
Despite blundering through the initial training sessions, Cal commits to finishing his training, during which he starts sharing his expertise with the other agents. But when a situation sends Cal and Bridget on an urgent mission to Ireland, managing to work together among the sparks that fly between them will not only ensure safety for the mission, but also for their lives.
Shana Galen is one master storyteller, hooking the readers in from the beginning. She also loves to play with words, making the title eye-catching and interesting. This book brings together a good number of characters. Some, like Baron, have ties to Shana’s previous Lord and Lady Spies series but there are a lot of new ones. Shana’s characters are far from typical. Cal is not your ultimate hero. Apart from being flawed by vices and his low social status, he is depicted as having a low self-esteem, despite the happy-go-lucky façade he portrays most of the time. The story is a journey of self-discovery for both him and Bridget, who had been snuffing her Irish ancestry to her innermost depths in the hopes of avoiding a repeat of her past.
Highly recommended! I look forward to the rest of the Royal Saboteurs.
Prim and proper Bridget Murray was tasked to direct new recruits to the Royal Saboteur’s remote training grounds, The Farms. With her superior’s specific instructions in mind, she impatiently waits for Callahan Kelly to make an appearance. When Cal arrives, Bridget immediately senses that he was trouble, especially since he was followed by thugs. Baron recruited Cal, an Irish conman by profession, to join part of the group of agents until Cal’s troubles in London calmed down. At each step of his journey, Cal is doubtful of his ability to keep to the agreement, given that he sticks out like a sore thumb. Apart from that, there is constant friction between Cal and Bridget, whom he dubs The Keeper of the Clipboard.
Despite blundering through the initial training sessions, Cal commits to finishing his training, during which he starts sharing his expertise with the other agents. But when a situation sends Cal and Bridget on an urgent mission to Ireland, managing to work together among the sparks that fly between them will not only ensure safety for the mission, but also for their lives.
Shana Galen is one master storyteller, hooking the readers in from the beginning. She also loves to play with words, making the title eye-catching and interesting. This book brings together a good number of characters. Some, like Baron, have ties to Shana’s previous Lord and Lady Spies series but there are a lot of new ones. Shana’s characters are far from typical. Cal is not your ultimate hero. Apart from being flawed by vices and his low social status, he is depicted as having a low self-esteem, despite the happy-go-lucky façade he portrays most of the time. The story is a journey of self-discovery for both him and Bridget, who had been snuffing her Irish ancestry to her innermost depths in the hopes of avoiding a repeat of her past.
Highly recommended! I look forward to the rest of the Royal Saboteurs.
July 19, 2022
Shana Galen has a real way of drawing the reader in from the first sentence, and this book is no exception. She always manages to develop her characters so quickly and fully from the page one and you find yourself enchanted with them and invested in their happily ever after from the moment you meet them.
However, this book suffers a bit from being the first in the series in my opinion. A first book has a bigger job to do then the subsequent ones; it has to develop the world, get you excited for the premise, and introduce you to the other characters who will be forthcoming. When has a first book in a series had your two favorite characters? Usually the favorites come later, after the reader is teased with tidbits and has had to wait breathlessly for their story to come. The anticipation and the buildup add to these later books in a series.
I was swept away at the premise of the Royal Saboteurs and I am excited for the series. I really liked our hero’s character - I felt it was fully fleshed out, made sense, and was compelling. Our heroine felt a little flimsier, some of her traits seemed to be so juxtaposed and didn’t feel quite natural. Also, I don’t know how I feel about her Although our hero proved himself, it’s simply a hard thing to have to deal with for the rest of your life.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I think the first few chapters are quite special and beautifully done. I’d give this book a 7/10, I rounded up here because I think this book deserves it. I look forward to the rest of the series!!
However, this book suffers a bit from being the first in the series in my opinion. A first book has a bigger job to do then the subsequent ones; it has to develop the world, get you excited for the premise, and introduce you to the other characters who will be forthcoming. When has a first book in a series had your two favorite characters? Usually the favorites come later, after the reader is teased with tidbits and has had to wait breathlessly for their story to come. The anticipation and the buildup add to these later books in a series.
I was swept away at the premise of the Royal Saboteurs and I am excited for the series. I really liked our hero’s character - I felt it was fully fleshed out, made sense, and was compelling. Our heroine felt a little flimsier, some of her traits seemed to be so juxtaposed and didn’t feel quite natural. Also, I don’t know how I feel about her Although our hero proved himself, it’s simply a hard thing to have to deal with for the rest of your life.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I think the first few chapters are quite special and beautifully done. I’d give this book a 7/10, I rounded up here because I think this book deserves it. I look forward to the rest of the series!!
June 28, 2022
4.5/5⭐️
This was a wonderful beginning to a new series that I’m excited about from Galen.
Called The Royal Saboteurs series, this will revolve around a group of men and women who have been chosen for certain skills to participate in further training in order to serve as covert spies/agents in service to queen/country.
Callahan Kelly is asked to travel to The Farm in remote north England for his expertise in theft/sleight of hand. As he is down on his luck and needs the cash, he accepts the invitation and on his train journey there meets the prim and proper Bridget Murray, the secretary at The Farm.
While they initially clash, (his cheekiness, her efficiency), they become better acquainted when they are sent on a dangerous mission to Ireland and realize they have some commonalities.
My favorite takeaways were Cal’s strength in overcoming some personal demons, and Bridget’s intelligence and bravery on her first mission. Looking forward to future agents’ stories.
My thanks to the author for the free early arc for review.
This was a wonderful beginning to a new series that I’m excited about from Galen.
Called The Royal Saboteurs series, this will revolve around a group of men and women who have been chosen for certain skills to participate in further training in order to serve as covert spies/agents in service to queen/country.
Callahan Kelly is asked to travel to The Farm in remote north England for his expertise in theft/sleight of hand. As he is down on his luck and needs the cash, he accepts the invitation and on his train journey there meets the prim and proper Bridget Murray, the secretary at The Farm.
While they initially clash, (his cheekiness, her efficiency), they become better acquainted when they are sent on a dangerous mission to Ireland and realize they have some commonalities.
My favorite takeaways were Cal’s strength in overcoming some personal demons, and Bridget’s intelligence and bravery on her first mission. Looking forward to future agents’ stories.
My thanks to the author for the free early arc for review.
December 27, 2023
I really enjoyed this first story in the new The Royal Saboteurs series. Bridget Murray is a secretary turned agent and Callahan Kelly is a handsome conman just out to do a job and get paid when they are teamed up to infiltrate a group of Irish separatists. Not only is it dangerous, but Cal is torn between doing the job he’s promised to do and loyalty to his Irish heritage. Living as a married couple in Ireland, they have to learn to work together, escape suspicion, complete the mission, and get back to base alive. Easier said than done, but they’ll see it through, no matter what it takes. It was a treat to see Bridget realize that Cal is not like her Irish father and come to care about him, and of course Cal wants to change his ways if it means he has a chance with a woman like Bridget. This was a wonderful start to the series and I look forward to more great stories to come.
August 6, 2022
"He had no right to show her how to please him. She wasn’t his. But then he’d always been a thief..."
An unlikely couple is paired for a mission that will change their lives...
My first book by Shana Galen and I'm already addicted to her writing! Brimming with emotions, witty banter and sexual tension, this book is the perfect mix of romance and adventure, and I couldn't seem to put it down! Cal is such a sweet hero, so vulnerable and strong at the same time and I loved him so much! And the setting is so very interesting that I really hope there will be more books on the Royal Saboteurs and not only the one that's already been planned. We got a glimpse of some very intriguing side characters here! A five star read, definitely.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
An unlikely couple is paired for a mission that will change their lives...
My first book by Shana Galen and I'm already addicted to her writing! Brimming with emotions, witty banter and sexual tension, this book is the perfect mix of romance and adventure, and I couldn't seem to put it down! Cal is such a sweet hero, so vulnerable and strong at the same time and I loved him so much! And the setting is so very interesting that I really hope there will be more books on the Royal Saboteurs and not only the one that's already been planned. We got a glimpse of some very intriguing side characters here! A five star read, definitely.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 10, 2022
Shana Galen has once again embarked on a magnificent new series. Cal is a superb character. You start out by not being sure if you want to like him but by the end you want to scream your heart out to cheer him on. Bridget is masterful in both her roles as secretary and sabatouer. The author weaves words like a master weaver creating the finest of silk. The cast of characters are making their debut introduction before they will eventually get their own stories. Cal and Bridget go on an action packed journey that leads to personal and professional discoveries that grow them. This is definitely a book you will want to buy and keep to read more than once to share in their happy ending.
April 1, 2022
I am so excited for Shana Galens new series. I love all her books. This book is about Callahan Kelly and he is a conman. He is stuck on a train with agents of the crown. He offers to train them when they figure out who he is. Amelia Murray is training to become an agent. She does not trust Callahan one bit. But things happen and they have to pretend to be married. I love Shana Galen's writing style and her characters are amazing.
May 30, 2022
I loved how this couple met! What a first meeting! It was so interesting to see the training ground for the Royal Saboteurs. There was definitely lots of action and adventure from the beginning of this couple's relationship. I enjoyed reading their story plus meeting all the other characters. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
April 3, 2022
Wow! Such a different story from Shana. I loved every word of it and was sad when it ended. I was engaged from the first page. I can’t wait to read the next in the series. Highly recommended to everyone!
Want to read
July 23, 2019Where is this book?
July 12, 2022
A delightful read. Ms Galen is a talented addition to the historical romance genre.
October 27, 2023
Love and danger
I loved Callahan and Bridget’s historical, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, fake relationship romance with a side of spying and intrigue. It was a wonderful mix of sweet, steamy, suspense, and real life issues and will give you all the swoony swoons while also pulling at your heartstrings with all the emotions. Callahan is a conman who has been on his own since he was 15. He is charming and always in some trouble. He also has a drinking and gambling problem but he’s been resisting for more than a year. He has no close friends. Bridget is a secretary and coder for the Royal Saboteurs. She is prim and proper and because of her dad, she detests charismatic gamblers and drunks. She is not close to many people and has accepted being an old maid. They meet when Callahan is recruited by the Royal Saboteurs for money if he stays with the training for a set amount of time. There is strong chemistry and attraction between Callahan and Bridget but there is also mistrust and judgment. Once they are assigned to go undercover to infiltrate Innishfree together as husband and wife, they are forced to spend time together and their feelings get complicated. I have a soft spot for the people who are a bit uncomfortable in their skin because they don’t feel like they fit in or are worthy, like Callahan and to a lesser extent, Bridget. So I love when they finally see their truth and they get swoon worthy HEAs. The story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline as shown through sweet moments, steamy scenes, chuckles, messy families, painful pasts, danger, plot twists, and all the heart squeezing love. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. 4.5 stars.
I loved Callahan and Bridget’s historical, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, fake relationship romance with a side of spying and intrigue. It was a wonderful mix of sweet, steamy, suspense, and real life issues and will give you all the swoony swoons while also pulling at your heartstrings with all the emotions. Callahan is a conman who has been on his own since he was 15. He is charming and always in some trouble. He also has a drinking and gambling problem but he’s been resisting for more than a year. He has no close friends. Bridget is a secretary and coder for the Royal Saboteurs. She is prim and proper and because of her dad, she detests charismatic gamblers and drunks. She is not close to many people and has accepted being an old maid. They meet when Callahan is recruited by the Royal Saboteurs for money if he stays with the training for a set amount of time. There is strong chemistry and attraction between Callahan and Bridget but there is also mistrust and judgment. Once they are assigned to go undercover to infiltrate Innishfree together as husband and wife, they are forced to spend time together and their feelings get complicated. I have a soft spot for the people who are a bit uncomfortable in their skin because they don’t feel like they fit in or are worthy, like Callahan and to a lesser extent, Bridget. So I love when they finally see their truth and they get swoon worthy HEAs. The story was well written and included witty dialogue, three dimensional characters who grow, and an engaging storyline as shown through sweet moments, steamy scenes, chuckles, messy families, painful pasts, danger, plot twists, and all the heart squeezing love. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. 4.5 stars.
August 19, 2023
This is the first book in a new series, The Royal Saboteurs, and it was quite enjoyable. I loved Callahan Kelly, the charming conman who is recruited by the Baron to serve the Crown. All Cal wants is the money he's promised, but when he's paired with the prim and proper Bridget Murray for a dangerous mission in Ireland, he begins to rethink what's important. Bridget knows what kind of man Cal is. He's just like her father, a gambler and drinker, who thinks of no one but himself, and she wants nothing to do with him. While posing as husband and wife for their mission in Ireland, Bridget begins to see a different side of Cal and begins to rethink her original assessment of the charming Irishman.
Cal was delightful, and I instantly liked him. I knew there was a wealth of strength in him, but without anyone ever believing in him, he rarely shows his inner reserve. I wasn't enamored with Bridget in the beginning, but as Ms. Galen begins to tease out her back story, it's easy to see why she is so proper all the time. The fact that she can't resist Cal much against her better judgment only added to the angst in the story. There were numerous twists and turns in the story, with some factual history thrown in that kept me turning the pages. It's a wonderful start to this new series.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy, and all opinions are my own.
Cal was delightful, and I instantly liked him. I knew there was a wealth of strength in him, but without anyone ever believing in him, he rarely shows his inner reserve. I wasn't enamored with Bridget in the beginning, but as Ms. Galen begins to tease out her back story, it's easy to see why she is so proper all the time. The fact that she can't resist Cal much against her better judgment only added to the angst in the story. There were numerous twists and turns in the story, with some factual history thrown in that kept me turning the pages. It's a wonderful start to this new series.
I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy, and all opinions are my own.
October 13, 2023
Absolutely loved the contrast between Callahan and Bridget who were given an assignment under the Royal Saboteurs to protect the crown. Having lived in England, despite Irish backgrounds they were perfect to infiltrate the Irish saboteurs. With their opposing personalities and harrowing adventures, it proved to be entertaining from cover to cover. Highly recommended if you enjoy a good spy story with unlikely romantic entanglements.
August 8, 2024
What I enjoyed most about this story was the character arcs and how these two came together. Callahan is constantly battling his demons and Bridget has a past that has kept her locked away in a regimented life without close connections. Watching these two grow together and gain trust in one another was the best part of this story.
December 31, 2025
Content warnings: spy stuff, violence, gun violence, poverty, blood
3.75 stars
For the most part, I enjoyed this. The forced proximity. The undercover operation. All that jazz. It was a good time! The dynamic between the two leads was charming, and I liked the way their relationship played out. However, I did find that the ending was kind of rushed?? Idk.
3.75 stars
For the most part, I enjoyed this. The forced proximity. The undercover operation. All that jazz. It was a good time! The dynamic between the two leads was charming, and I liked the way their relationship played out. However, I did find that the ending was kind of rushed?? Idk.
August 10, 2022
Lovely new series by Shana Galen. I was thrilled to return to the world of espionage that she first introduced in the Lord and Lady Spy series. Beauty and the Thief is and excellent follow up series set in early Victorian times. Wonderful characters, interesting setting and snappy dialogue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2023
My Musings
Wow, so fantastic! Shane knows how to grab my attention and keep me enthralled to the end. Her writing is emotionally charged and full of action and suspense. I love, love her books. She makes me remember why I love historical romance. Happy reading!
Wow, so fantastic! Shane knows how to grab my attention and keep me enthralled to the end. Her writing is emotionally charged and full of action and suspense. I love, love her books. She makes me remember why I love historical romance. Happy reading!
April 8, 2023
3.75
This is an action packed romance between two spies forced to work together to infiltrate a group of Irish revolutionaries. Of course, they don't get along but have to act married and share a very small room with only one bed.
This is an action packed romance between two spies forced to work together to infiltrate a group of Irish revolutionaries. Of course, they don't get along but have to act married and share a very small room with only one bed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2023
I'm in love <3
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