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Covert Kisses: three romantic suspense novellas with comedy

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Hot policemen? Yes, please.

If you like romantic suspense with a twist of humor, these three novellas are for you!

Paisley Spencer's phone dies at the worst time—right when she's lost in a bad part of Phoenix. She ventures into an all-night liquor store to ask for directions, and when she returns to her car, three thugs are waiting for her. She has to rely on the mercy of a handsome stranger to escape, but he's keeping secrets that will lead her into even more trouble.


Lydia Robinson is an undercover cop posing as a prostitute in a sting operation. It's not a horrible job. Well, at least not until her ex-boyfriend from high school shows up. Yeah, there are certain times when you don't want to be spotted on a street corner in hooker clothes, especially if you can't explain yourself.

What's worse, her ex wants to save her from a life of crime, and he's willing to kidnap her to do it.


Bethany Smith didn't mean to become a criminal. She especially didn't mean to break into anyone's house wearing only her underwear. Long story. Worst Valentine's Day ever.

But the arresting officer is so handsome, well, maybe it won't be the worst Valentine's Day after all.

If you love romantic suspense with a large dash of humor and heart, you'll love these three sweet, happily ever after, novellas! Read them today!

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 24, 2022

48 people are currently reading
48 people want to read

About the author

Janette Rallison

74 books1,994 followers
Check out my awesome book trailers!
My Unfair Godmother:
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My Fair Godmother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up1jF8...
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My Double Life
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Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but theres a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.


Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007

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5 stars
124 (55%)
4 stars
65 (29%)
3 stars
24 (10%)
2 stars
8 (3%)
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2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
Profile Image for Kathy * Bookworm Nation.
2,160 reviews703 followers
July 26, 2023
Covertly Yours
This story was so unique and fun. My only complaint...I want more! I would love for Paisley and Ice to get another book or short story down the road, I'd love to see what happens with them. This was a really fun short story, loved it!

Job Hazards
Loved it! I had a stupid grin on my face for the majority of the story. Lydia is an undercover cop posing as a hooker when her long lost ex shows up on her corner. I love lost love stories, mainly for that moment when the couple is reunited again. In this case, it was hilarious. I can’t think of a more awkward ex run-in. It was really a charming story and I was sad when it ended. I wanted more of Lydia and Harrison.

A Brush With the Law
Another super cute story! Fun and engaging characters and swoony romance.

I really love this collection, each story will keep you glued to the pages.
Profile Image for Jessie.
1,477 reviews87 followers
May 12, 2022
Hilarious!

One night I picked this up, confident in my ability to just read a little bit and fall asleep at a semi-decent hour. I had already read each of these novellas in various short story collections. Surely I could fall into the familiar and come back out.

I underestimated Janette Rallison’s skill. Not only did I not stop during the first story, I went all the way through the second and third. Once again, the lack of sleep was worth it!

I love the way Janette Rallison wove so much humor into these stories of heroes and heroines. From an undercover cop to a prostitution sting (complete with an ex-boyfriend trying to save her from her life choices). This book had me laughing, grinning, and of course, not putting it down!
Profile Image for Katie (hiding in the pages).
3,515 reviews328 followers
March 31, 2022
So much fun--I didn't want them to end!

Rallison is an author who never fails to make me laugh and this collection was no exception. Each novella involves the police in one way or another and the situations were each different and very entertaining. In fact, I was secondhand blushing and laughing so much throughout the last story--my family kept asking me what was so funny.

It was fun to have a common theme running through each of these novellas. I loved the romance, the spicy clean kisses, as well as the fun characters and plots. I didn't want any of these hilarious stories to end!

Content: vague talk of parties/drugs/hookers; mild+ romance

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Profile Image for Erin.
914 reviews105 followers
October 2, 2024
This is a compilation of 3 ultra-mini novellas. These are bite-sized romances.

1) Covertly Yours - 1 star.
Far-fetched premise, ridiculous FMC, unbelievable romance, and overall silly story.


2) Job Hazards - 4.5 stars.
Cute novella that put a smile on my face.


3) A Brush with the Law - 5 stars.
Also super cute and enjoyable. Loved the FMC, and how she got stuck in that situation in her matching red lacy bra and panties. Haha!😆


Content- clean!
Profile Image for Vibliophile.
1,591 reviews130 followers
April 22, 2022
A trifecta of cop-themed short stories...

This book contains 3 stories. The 2nd & 3rd are from anthologies that I've read before. I'm not sure about the 1st; I can only say that it was new to me

1 Covertly Yours - a young woman gets lost in a really seedy part of town & nearly becomes a crime stat when she's rescued by a gangsta in shining armor. She ends up having to pose as his girlfriend at a party that ends in a police bust. It's a little silly but still entertaining.

2 Job Hazards - an undercover cop is working a prostitution sting when her old high school crush pulls up 😳. It's the shallowest of the 3, but it's still an amusing premise for this 2nd chance romance.

3 A Brush with the Law - an artist experiences one of the worst Murphy's Law kind of days ever. I'm not sure I could buy what I'll term the change of outfit part of the story, but it's a funny story with a cute ending.

Short stories just can't help feeling too... short. Still, I always enjoy Rallison's stories of any length and these are no exception.

*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
Profile Image for Mara.
1,468 reviews110 followers
March 31, 2022
I can always count on a book by Janette Rallison to make me laugh out loud and this fun collection of three novellas was no exception. Since the theme of this collection is hot and swoony policemen, I knew I was also guaranteed some romance and happy endings.

Each of these stories had me grinning at the banter coming from the female character, but the second one, "Job Hazards" had me laughing out loud. You can read the entire trilogy in a couple of hours or read them separately if you're short on time. Be prepared for strange looks from others when you start giggling or laughing while reading these clean romantic-comedies.

I received a complimentary copy to review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Profile Image for Karen.
735 reviews7 followers
March 30, 2022
fun short stories

I loved all three of these short stories. The only bad thing is I wanted more. Janette Rallison has a way of engaging readers and making them laugh. There was no exception in these stories. I can’t wait for more from this author.
Profile Image for Deborah.
676 reviews52 followers
May 23, 2022
Such quick fun! I laughed and throughly enjoyed these novellas.
Profile Image for Kim.
693 reviews24 followers
September 17, 2022
This trilogy of short stories surprised me in the best way.
I didn't expect much from this book, but it was extremely well written. I loved the authors writing style. She managed to tell a whole story in what seemed like just a few pages. There were definitely multiple laugh out loud moments.

The third story was my absolute favorite.
The only thing lacking in these shorts was a little steam, but that's not everyone's cup of tea. These were sweet romantic stories that ended with a kiss.

After this I'll be adding this author to my list of future reads. I'm interested in what she can do with a full length book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1,902 reviews
March 28, 2022
This is truly a collection of laugh out loud rom-com centered around crazy police stories. It was the perfect read for a gloomy day. I couldn't stop laughing.
Covertly Yours
A dead phone and lack of GPS leaves Paisley in a seedy part of town. Gangsters threaten her and she ends up arrested at a drug bust. Through it all though, Paisley's quirky sense of humor allows her to follow in love with an undercover cop.
Job Hazards
Lydia is a cop working a hooker sting operation who reunites with her old high school boyfriend. This mishap allows them to forgive one another, have a laughable reunion and have a colorful future.
A Brush With the Law
Unexpected, hilarious circumstances lead to Bethany's arrest. Her arresting officer is able to see beneath the surface and it's a great first date story for this happy couple.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
3,686 reviews328 followers
did-not-finish
April 16, 2022
I read the first story and it was fine.
Author 7 books7 followers
March 26, 2022
So fun!

These three books weren't that long at all, but they sure did pack a punch. And the last one, about Bethany and James? I was snort-laughing and smiling almost the whole way through. I really enjoyed all the short stories.
Profile Image for Julie.
776 reviews6 followers
April 4, 2022
Fun

This is a fun,flirty and sweet collection of stories. The last one was favorite. Getting locked out of the room in your underwear would be a nightmare.
Profile Image for Christina.
799 reviews33 followers
April 19, 2022
4 Stars

This collection of short stories is cute- I liked the different and unique ways that each romance happened with someone in law enforcement. I enjoyed them, but wished we could have gotten just a bit more from each story!
Profile Image for Tiffany.
1,533 reviews14 followers
Read
July 20, 2023
Kisses only. This is a short but sweet collection of novellas. I’d read the second one in a different anthology. At first, I thought all the stories would be connected but they are all stand alone. Covertly Yours: this seems like a great beginning to a story. The MCs only know each other for a couple hours and they don’t really talk too much. Job Hazards: this is a second chance romance so much of the relationship is off screen in the past. A Brush with the Law: I really liked the this story and the two MCs banter.
424 reviews5 followers
May 23, 2022
Covert Kisses is a collection of 3 unconnected romantic suspense novellas by Janette Rallison. Each story takes place in a different US major city and a main character is in law enforcement. The stories contain no sex scenes or obscene language. The characters are people you would want to be friends with, and the action is well-paced. The author did enough foreshadowing so that I was able to predict what would happen but it wouldn’t be obvious to every reader. I had difficulty stopping after just one story and stayed up late reading all three.

In Covertly Yours Paisley Spencer, a kindergarten teacher, who gets lost in a sketch area of Phoenix. An undercover police officer rescues her from some hoodlums but takes her back to a house party to maintain his cover. She tries to save him from a life of crime until he is able to confess his true occupation.

In Job Hazards, Lydia Robinson is an undercover NYPD officer posing as a prostitute. A former high school classmate/enemy sees her, snaps her picture, and shares it with the rest of their graduation class. When Harrison Aldridge, her former boyfriend, sees it, he tries to engage her services and basically kidnaps her so that he can take her to a rehab facility. He is sure that she’s only a prostitute because she’s on drugs. The chase scene, where Harrison is trying to evade her “pimp” is especially funny.

In A Brush with the Law, Bethany Smith is set up on a blind date by her best friend’s husband on Valentine’s Day with a pre-law student named James. She has multiple run-ins with police officer Hansen during the day, and he admits that he has a blind date also. Her second predicament seems really convoluted, which is my only criticism of this entire collection.

I highly recommend this collection of novellas. They should be enjoyable for readers of romantic suspense and romantic comedies. Just don’t start reading at night when you have to get up early the next morning! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Vonn Jess.
755 reviews7 followers
October 27, 2022
1. Covertly Yours

2/5 ⭐️

Ice (Vicente) is undercover and when he sees a Damsel in distress he rescues her and pretends she’s his girlfriend.

Paisley seemed a bit green behind the ears when it came to guys. Or situations. Or maybe just life in general? I don’t know, it started as an awkward encounter that turned a bit weirder and then had a semi happy ending.

2. Job Hazards

3/5 ⭐️

Lydia is undercover as a hooker and trying to catch guys wanting to pay for her time.

Harrison is her old high school boyfriend that heard through the class chat that Lydia was now working on the streets….and wants to rescue her from her pimp and kind of kidnaps her while the undercover team follows them.

Ugh, the “not believing even though you know it’s the truth” issue is one that makes me sad. After 6 years neither have moved on and by the end of the next night, it’s a happy open ending

3. A Brush with the Law

5/5 ⭐️

Bethany is finishing up painting a mural for a client when she runs out of paint. The housekeeper Martha has to leave by a certain time and of course there is a line, the register doesn’t work, the manager has to be called and then she runs a red light and a police car pulls her over.

When she locks herself out on the balcony in just her underwear and climbs over to the other balcony and enters the rooms next door, not thinking an older gentleman is pointing a gun at her, she knows her luck has run out on this Valentine’s Day. Of course the same police officer takes the call that pulled her over earlier, Officer Hansen.

This was cute and funny and with a little plot twist at the end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Donna Weaver.
Author 87 books459 followers
May 14, 2023
WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Hot policemen? Yes, please.

If you like romantic suspense with a twist of humor, these three novellas are for you!

Paisley Spencer's phone dies at the worst time—right when she's lost in a bad part of Phoenix. She ventures into an all-night liquor store to ask for directions, and when she returns to her car, three thugs are waiting for her. She has to rely on the mercy of a handsome stranger to escape, but he's keeping secrets that will lead her into even more trouble.
-----------------
Lydia Robinson is an undercover cop posing as a prostitute in a sting operation. It's not a horrible job. Well, at least not until her ex-boyfriend from high school shows up. Yeah, there are certain times when you don't want to be spotted on a street corner in hooker clothes, especially if you can't explain yourself.

What's worse, her ex wants to save her from a life of crime, and he's willing to kidnap her to do it.
-----------------
Bethany Smith didn't mean to become a criminal. She especially didn't mean to break into anyone's house wearing only her underwear. Long story. Worst Valentine's Day ever.

But the arresting officer is so handsome, well, maybe it won't be the worst Valentine's Day after all.

MY TAKE
What a fun collection of novellas! Each woman has her challenges, and not all the guys are the cops.

4 1/2 stars
810 reviews2 followers
September 13, 2022
Just plain fun to read!
I loved this book of three novellas!
Each brought something different to the table, maybe not a total head, but I'm loved the author left some things to our imagination.
All threw novellas we're absolutely feel good, but the third one had me in Stitches!
If you have ever read "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day", I have given a little insight to the heroine's day.
Murphy's Law, what can go wrong will, or in my family, if it can go wrong it will... Bethany definitely was having a Murphy's Law day. Bethany handles most with grace, but the humor ... Priceless!
I loved these vignettes that made up this book. Each made me smile and the third was a hoot!
It is set up well. The author's stories while all novellas, great bed book. Read a novella and sleep.
Go to sleep with a good feeling. Or, these are lovely lunch break stories ( if book available, rarely am without) you can finish another one with out being late from lunch,or like I did before I taught...begged my boss because I couldn't put a book down.
Again, A book of three really nice novellas that leave you feeling good,but not shorted because the stories are very well written !
Loved! Still grinning!

Karen
Profile Image for BooksToTheGrave.
146 reviews8 followers
October 14, 2022
This book tells us three different stories. All they have in common is cops meeting love in unusual situations.

In the first one, an undercover cop saves a woman from three dangerous men and ends up putting her in even more danger.

The second one is about an undercover cop working in an anti-prostitution sting and her ex-boyfriend trying to save her from that life because he doesn't know she's the police.

The third one, and my favorite, is about a woman that seems jinxed, as every bad thing possible happens to her. The only upside to all the bad happening? She keeps crossing paths with a charming and funny police officer.

All these stories are good and I enjoyed reading them. Although they are small they don't feel too rushed or lack details, they are well-written.

I was interested from start to end and had a great time reading these loving, adventurous, funny, and eventful stories.

You should give them a try!

I was in doubt between 4.5* and 5* but that last story was the best part of my day!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Mrs R.
1,419 reviews19 followers
April 24, 2022
This was a great collection of 3 short stories of meeting the right person but under some very unusual circumstances.

- Paisley needed someone to help her out and Ice appeared at just the right time. I found her quite naive about a lot of things, especially how law enforcement works. But she was loyal, and determined to help out in any way she could. I loved Ice, he was a very likeable character and excellent at his job!

- Lydia was in the worst possible situation to run into her ex. I loved how she kept trying to give Harrison hints and also save him from her colleagues. This was definitely my favourite of the 3 stories, but I think she let him off far too easy for the way he badly handled their breakup and never got in touch.

- This story was my least favourite, but only at the beginning, it was just a little too daft for me with the situation she got herself into. I did love Bethany's humour and responses to everything that happened and I loved how they worked it out at the end.
1,273 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2022
Cute, quick reads. This is a three-story anthology which has cops in undercover situations or arresting their dream dates… In Covertly Yours, Kindergarten teacher Paisley is saved from street muggers by another "gang" member after getting lost in bad section of town… but is Ice really who he says he is??? In the second story, Job Hazards, undercover police officer Lydia was working a prostitution sting, when her former high school boyfriend, Harrison, pulls up in a BMW to try to get her some help and keep her off the streets… leading to the third story Brush with the Law where painter Bethany is having a bad day on Valentine's Day as she's almost done with a mural when she runs out of paint, needs to get more, then stopped for running red light that just turned, being stopped by officer who was gorgeous, and in comedy of errors deals with same officer when locked out of job site… I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Korbie Harrison.
449 reviews7 followers
September 25, 2023
This is absolute classic Janette Rallison! You're sucked in right from the first sentence of each of the three novellas -- relatable characters, witty dialogue, absurdly awkward moments that just speak to the reader, and perfectly delivered humor.

The best part of Rallison's writing in Covert Kisses is easily the comedy part of each of these -- she delivers the humor so naturally throughout the writing. The comedy is well thought out and implemented beautifully throughout the dialogue, action, and the characters' internal thoughts. And, it's intelligent humor -- there's no relying on crude or vulgar humor (it's a very clean read). I laughed SO much reading this anthology!

I love that all three of the novellas follow a theme while also maintaining originality for each. All have a police officer, but in totally different ways (I especially loved that we got a policewoman!). Each story is wonderful in part because it totally could happen; nothing in these stories is impossible (statistically improbable, yes, but don't we all have moments that are statistically improbable?!). All of the characters feel like someone I might be friends with, and the experiences a story we might laugh about together. Getting lost on the way home from a baby shower, caught in an embarassing moment by an ex, making an impulsive decision that suddenly has enormous consequences . . . It all reads as hilariously real.

Definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys romantic comedy!
1,253 reviews
November 30, 2022
I have never read anything by Jeanette Rallison before but I will look out for her in future.

This was a trilogy of three short stories, I must admit that I thought the first one was going to be a bit dark but it turned out to be a a good story with plenty of action, a young woman lost in a no go area of Phoenix with no means of contacting anyone, what could go wrong ?. The second and third stories I though were hilarious, what is not to like ? an undercover cop acting as a prostitute when her ex tries to rescue her from the depth to which she had sunk or caught breaking and entering in a red lacy bra and panties on Valentine's day by two octogenarians one of which was brandishing a gun in a shaky hand . I did think that they were all good stories that would benefit from being a little longer.

I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary
Profile Image for Julie Carpenter.
1,887 reviews240 followers
July 19, 2023
Loved these three novellas! The last one I've read several times as it was part of the Timeless Romance Valentine Anthology!

All the humor, heart, laughter, sighs, heart pounding moments and much more!!!

If you're looking for three quick reads that will leave you happy and satisfied by the characters' and storyline, grab this great Trilogy of policemen, lost love, second chances and more!!!

Content: Clean. Moments of mild peril (nothing graphic), one story features a gang, another features a copy going undercover as a prostitute (nothing is described and she just stands on the street corner) and another story has a girl who gets locked out of an apartment in just her underwear due to several funny circumstances. Just kisses and nothing further!

I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!
Profile Image for Barb.
723 reviews14 followers
April 15, 2022
There are three short stories that are full of humor and cleverly written. In the first, a girl stuck in a bad part of town, tries to find directions to the interstate and ends up as a girlfriend of an undercover cop. When they are arrested at a gangbanger’s house, she refuses to leave the jail without trying to get her “boyfriend” freed. The second story involves an undercover cop posing as a hooker, running into her old boyfriend who wishes to get her out of the business. The third involves a painter who gets out of the house she is painting, in her underwear, only to be arrested by a policeman who is to be her blind date. Loved all three. I only wish each could have been a complete book.
Profile Image for Patty Baumeister.
533 reviews29 followers
July 24, 2022
Book Review
Covert Kisses
Written By Jannette Rallison
Fiction - Romance
Published 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book contains three short novellas with one of the main characters having a job in law enforcement. Each story involves two main characters finding romance in unusual situations. Each story was very sweet. Although the plot twists are predictable, I still enjoyed reading each novella. I loved how the author used humor in her storytelling. I did not know much about this book before reading it and was pleasantly surprised. I won’t be disclosing much about the plot of each novella so other readers can be just as surprised as I was. I definitely loved this author’s writing and will read more books by her.

I received an advance review copy, and I am writing this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Mackenzie.
519 reviews1 follower
May 29, 2023
Short reads

When I saw trilogy in the title, I thought this was the first book of a trilogy. It is actually just 3 short stories in one novella length book. Each story has a police officer as one of the main characters though only 1 is the narrator of the story. None of the stories are connected. They even have 3 separate settings so they aren't even sort of connected. Each story ends pretty quickly after the initial introduction, resolution of legal problems and development of romantic interest is established. If you go in knowing there isn't going to be much past "let's give dating a shot", and you are okay with that, then you will love these books...eh, short stories.
1,119 reviews5 followers
April 12, 2022
"Covert Kisses Trilogy" was a very entertaining read. The first short story titled "Covertly Yours" was hilarious. The protagonists, Vicente and Paisley, were well suited for each other. They gushed with chemistry. I really liked it.
The second narrative "Job Hazards" was a delightful short story as well. Harrison and Lydia, the main characters, emanated chemistry, too. The author's tone was light-hearted.
Finally, "A Brush with the Law" was too, too funny! Bethany had a very bad, no good, terrible day and then some, and Officer Hansen always showed up. This was such a delightfully entertaining narrative.
I received a copy for free. I am voluntarily giving my honest review.
Profile Image for Deborah.
444 reviews7 followers
May 23, 2022
I almost never give 5-star reviews. This book had such fun stories, I had to love it! In each of these rather implausible stories, law enforcement is involved, a female cop undercover as a hooker, an undercover cop posing as a gangster who rescues a young woman in a bad part of town, an artist who missed her blind date because she was arrested.

So, all the stories are kind of slapstick stories of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or, maybe in just the right place to find love?

Well written, clean humor, fast read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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