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Shadow #1
In the Shadow of the Past
Listening Time: 11 hours and 9 minutes
She fell for the wrong woman … now it’s going to cost her.
Amidst the backdrop of New York City during World War II, this tale of two women struggling against a forbidden love grabs the reader from the start and never lets go.
Guilt-ridden over her part in her father's death, budding reporter Jenny Ryan gets an anonymous call that sets her on a path of intrigue and danger. The caller pins her father’s death on a man selling secrets to the enemy: wealthy industrialist Marcus Forrester. In her plan to bring him down, she didn’t count on falling for Forrester’s mistress, Kathryn Hammond.
Kathryn Hammond is a popular nightclub singer with elegant grace and stunning good looks, but she harbors a secret. Stuck stateside carrying out dead-end missions for the OSS while the war rages in Europe, her life is turned upside down when Jenny Ryan becomes her latest dead-end mission and awakens the enemy that could cost her everything—desire.
Lush with the sights and sounds of the 1940s, this spellbinding slow burn love story will carry you deep into the shadow of the past and have you turning pages well into the night.
In the Shadow of the Past is the first book in the noir Shadow series.
She fell for the wrong woman … now it’s going to cost her.
Amidst the backdrop of New York City during World War II, this tale of two women struggling against a forbidden love grabs the reader from the start and never lets go.
Guilt-ridden over her part in her father's death, budding reporter Jenny Ryan gets an anonymous call that sets her on a path of intrigue and danger. The caller pins her father’s death on a man selling secrets to the enemy: wealthy industrialist Marcus Forrester. In her plan to bring him down, she didn’t count on falling for Forrester’s mistress, Kathryn Hammond.
Kathryn Hammond is a popular nightclub singer with elegant grace and stunning good looks, but she harbors a secret. Stuck stateside carrying out dead-end missions for the OSS while the war rages in Europe, her life is turned upside down when Jenny Ryan becomes her latest dead-end mission and awakens the enemy that could cost her everything—desire.
Lush with the sights and sounds of the 1940s, this spellbinding slow burn love story will carry you deep into the shadow of the past and have you turning pages well into the night.
In the Shadow of the Past is the first book in the noir Shadow series.
12 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 30, 2021
83 people are currently reading
1462 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
January 29, 2025
**'Storytelling; be risky, create dangerously because some readers do enjoy reading dangerously -- don't succumb to the norm..'
4.5 stars!
An exhilarating, well-paced and even well written 1st book in the 'Shadow' historical spy & espionage series. No disappointment with their (Jenny & Kathryn) developing relationship and chemistry --- surrounded by a variance of supporting characters -- some good some not so much.
Highly recommended book!
4.5 stars!
An exhilarating, well-paced and even well written 1st book in the 'Shadow' historical spy & espionage series. No disappointment with their (Jenny & Kathryn) developing relationship and chemistry --- surrounded by a variance of supporting characters -- some good some not so much.
Highly recommended book!
October 1, 2022
Edit: October 1st 2022, audiobook review, 5 ⭐️
I knew before I started listening that I would enjoy this audiobook thoroughly. The atmosphere and the characters are perfect for Abby Craden’s narration style. I loved the book when I read it in December 2021 and was looking forward to hearing Kat and Jenny come to life. I wasn’t disappointed. Abby Craden nails Kat’s sultriness and hidden vulnerability and she gives Jenny the perfect amount of determination and youthful ingenuity the character requires. The contrast is ideal, both in the way the characters are written and in the narration. The chemistry between Jenny and Kat is terrific and even more palpable in audio. The audiobook version of the next book (which I loved as well) is waiting for me and I will do my best to make time for it very soon.
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4.5⭐️ – To end the year, I’m catching up on books I missed in 2021. In the Shadow of the Past came out last summer. It’s set for the most part in New York in 1943. Jenny Ryan is a columnist for her uncle’s daily newspaper. She’s aspiring to more exciting journalism and an anonymous tip gives her the opportunity she dreamt of. If only she could prove that Marcus Forrester is a Nazi sympathizer and her own father’s killer. In the course of her inquiry, Jenny gets close to Kathryn Hammond, a sultry singer and Forrester’s mistress. Little does Jenny know that the woman she’s about to fall for is an OSS spy.
I’m so impressed by debut novels like this one, in which the writing feels so mature. There’s room for growth but there’s also a lot to love already. I loved almost everything, from the cover to the atmosphere – very film noir – to the characters. There were a couple of inconsistencies, details that were seen as revelations even though I thought they were already known, but nothing that bothered me too much and nothing that stopped me from enjoying the story to the max. Both Jenny and Kat are complex characters, each with a past, secrets, guilt they have to learn to live with. Jenny feels a lot younger than Kat even though the age gap is only a few years, but the life experience makes all the difference.
The romance between Jenny and Kat is a very very slow burn but I believe it will be worth the wait when the sparks finally turn into fire. The series will include three more books, and there’s time for a lot to happen. One of the things I enjoyed most is the flirting, and it gave me all the romance I needed with the promise of more. If everything goes as planned (Covid reminded us that’s not an easy promise to keep), we shouldn’t have to wait too long for the next book, In the Shadow of Love. Fingers crossed for early 2022.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
I knew before I started listening that I would enjoy this audiobook thoroughly. The atmosphere and the characters are perfect for Abby Craden’s narration style. I loved the book when I read it in December 2021 and was looking forward to hearing Kat and Jenny come to life. I wasn’t disappointed. Abby Craden nails Kat’s sultriness and hidden vulnerability and she gives Jenny the perfect amount of determination and youthful ingenuity the character requires. The contrast is ideal, both in the way the characters are written and in the narration. The chemistry between Jenny and Kat is terrific and even more palpable in audio. The audiobook version of the next book (which I loved as well) is waiting for me and I will do my best to make time for it very soon.
------------------------------------------------
4.5⭐️ – To end the year, I’m catching up on books I missed in 2021. In the Shadow of the Past came out last summer. It’s set for the most part in New York in 1943. Jenny Ryan is a columnist for her uncle’s daily newspaper. She’s aspiring to more exciting journalism and an anonymous tip gives her the opportunity she dreamt of. If only she could prove that Marcus Forrester is a Nazi sympathizer and her own father’s killer. In the course of her inquiry, Jenny gets close to Kathryn Hammond, a sultry singer and Forrester’s mistress. Little does Jenny know that the woman she’s about to fall for is an OSS spy.
I’m so impressed by debut novels like this one, in which the writing feels so mature. There’s room for growth but there’s also a lot to love already. I loved almost everything, from the cover to the atmosphere – very film noir – to the characters. There were a couple of inconsistencies, details that were seen as revelations even though I thought they were already known, but nothing that bothered me too much and nothing that stopped me from enjoying the story to the max. Both Jenny and Kat are complex characters, each with a past, secrets, guilt they have to learn to live with. Jenny feels a lot younger than Kat even though the age gap is only a few years, but the life experience makes all the difference.
The romance between Jenny and Kat is a very very slow burn but I believe it will be worth the wait when the sparks finally turn into fire. The series will include three more books, and there’s time for a lot to happen. One of the things I enjoyed most is the flirting, and it gave me all the romance I needed with the promise of more. If everything goes as planned (Covid reminded us that’s not an easy promise to keep), we shouldn’t have to wait too long for the next book, In the Shadow of Love. Fingers crossed for early 2022.
Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars
July 2, 2025
Update 7/1/25 Second Listen: I just remembered I never finished the series so starting over. Absolute pleasure.
I just finished reading Shadow and wow. This book has the perfect summer energy, sexy, sultry heat abounds.
Jenny Ryan is a bright, high energy reporter for a big city paper in NYC. The year is 1943 and she’s been pigeonholed into writing puff pieces. But what she really wants to be assigned are investigative articles, especially ones that sleuth out Nazi sympathizers. An anonymous tip sends her on the trail of famous mobster, Marcus Forrester, and she’s off on the hunt whether anybody likes it or not. Then in a smoky club, seeking out the notorious gangster, Jenny is struck by lightning in the form of Kathryn Hammond. She sings from the stage above, clad in a red, satin gown, and mesmerizing all, including the young reporter. Nothing will ever be the same for either of them.
What I love best about the book is the chemistry between Kathryn and Jenny, both exceptionally sharp women who know exactly what they want and who are both used to getting everything they want. They banter and tussle, creating terrific chemistry, will they/won’t they is always on the line. Book 1 is only the ridiculously hot Flirting Stage so note that going in to the story in case it’s important to you. The author paints a seductive mix of noir, era building, and a pair of gorgeous gals who are most definitely in charge and who are going after the bad guys. I so want to read the next book since this one was a great time but I am in love with Abby Craden’s Kathryn. Hoping she will narrate the next one as well. Either way, I definitely recommend Shadow. Great book for a read on the beach or for your listen on a walk.
I just finished reading Shadow and wow. This book has the perfect summer energy, sexy, sultry heat abounds.
Jenny Ryan is a bright, high energy reporter for a big city paper in NYC. The year is 1943 and she’s been pigeonholed into writing puff pieces. But what she really wants to be assigned are investigative articles, especially ones that sleuth out Nazi sympathizers. An anonymous tip sends her on the trail of famous mobster, Marcus Forrester, and she’s off on the hunt whether anybody likes it or not. Then in a smoky club, seeking out the notorious gangster, Jenny is struck by lightning in the form of Kathryn Hammond. She sings from the stage above, clad in a red, satin gown, and mesmerizing all, including the young reporter. Nothing will ever be the same for either of them.
What I love best about the book is the chemistry between Kathryn and Jenny, both exceptionally sharp women who know exactly what they want and who are both used to getting everything they want. They banter and tussle, creating terrific chemistry, will they/won’t they is always on the line. Book 1 is only the ridiculously hot Flirting Stage so note that going in to the story in case it’s important to you. The author paints a seductive mix of noir, era building, and a pair of gorgeous gals who are most definitely in charge and who are going after the bad guys. I so want to read the next book since this one was a great time but I am in love with Abby Craden’s Kathryn. Hoping she will narrate the next one as well. Either way, I definitely recommend Shadow. Great book for a read on the beach or for your listen on a walk.
November 23, 2022
Two words: beautifully written
Okay, more words:
This is a lovely historical romance novel with a layer of mystery that I really enjoyed. I felt very comfortable with Leak's writing here. Leak manages to put the perfect amount of mystery and intrigue in the story, which made me more invested in exploring these characters from the 1940s. Katherine and Jenny are very well-described MCs; both are smart, amazing, and hot. The attraction and sexual tension between them are there. Although it's a slow-burn romance (and frustratingly still slowly burning), it's still worth reading. So, I will definitely read the second book soon.
Okay, more words:
This is a lovely historical romance novel with a layer of mystery that I really enjoyed. I felt very comfortable with Leak's writing here. Leak manages to put the perfect amount of mystery and intrigue in the story, which made me more invested in exploring these characters from the 1940s. Katherine and Jenny are very well-described MCs; both are smart, amazing, and hot. The attraction and sexual tension between them are there. Although it's a slow-burn romance (and frustratingly still slowly burning), it's still worth reading. So, I will definitely read the second book soon.
June 15, 2025
One of the easiest 5 stars I’ve ever given.
J.E. Leak’s writing is absolutely phenomenal—rich, immersive, and effortlessly engaging. I was hooked from the start.
The slow-burning romance between Kat and Jenny was beautifully crafted. Even without any spice (which I’m guessing is coming in book two of the four-part series), the sexual tension and flirtatious buildup were perfectly executed and completely satisfying on their own.
Seriously, if you haven’t picked this one up yet, what are you waiting for? Read this book!
J.E. Leak’s writing is absolutely phenomenal—rich, immersive, and effortlessly engaging. I was hooked from the start.
The slow-burning romance between Kat and Jenny was beautifully crafted. Even without any spice (which I’m guessing is coming in book two of the four-part series), the sexual tension and flirtatious buildup were perfectly executed and completely satisfying on their own.
Seriously, if you haven’t picked this one up yet, what are you waiting for? Read this book!
September 2, 2022
I bought this on my kindle a while ago, but I was never in the right mood to read it. Until recently, I finished D-Day Girls by Sarah Rose and decided to give this one a read. And boy! Should I just read it sooner?
This book was nothing that I expected. I imagine it would be more depressing but J.E. Leak gave us a different atmosphere. I love her writing style, and I love how the stories mainly focus on the relationship between Jenny and Kathryn.
In the Shadow of the Past is more like an opening of the Shadow’s series. I appreciate that J.E. Leak took her time to build the characters and the era in book 1. It just makes me intrigued about book 2!
This book was nothing that I expected. I imagine it would be more depressing but J.E. Leak gave us a different atmosphere. I love her writing style, and I love how the stories mainly focus on the relationship between Jenny and Kathryn.
In the Shadow of the Past is more like an opening of the Shadow’s series. I appreciate that J.E. Leak took her time to build the characters and the era in book 1. It just makes me intrigued about book 2!
September 9, 2022
1940s with Ms. Craden as narrator? Who would even thing of passing this up?
I loved this audiobook, starring a sassy, headstrong journalist and mysterious singer/undercover spy. Book 1 was more of slow burn, character driven, in-depth narrative. So many details, 40's fashion and lounges, long looooong (maybe too long at times) discussions, attraction and chemistry galore, stellar secondary characters, and did I mention the intriguing mystery. There are bad guys a plenty and a war going on. Just who is MC Katherine Hammond? What is her story? Will she/won't she give in to the forward Ms. Jenny Ryan? Will she ever spill her secrets? Guess I gotta wait until book 2 to find out.....
I loved this audiobook, starring a sassy, headstrong journalist and mysterious singer/undercover spy. Book 1 was more of slow burn, character driven, in-depth narrative. So many details, 40's fashion and lounges, long looooong (maybe too long at times) discussions, attraction and chemistry galore, stellar secondary characters, and did I mention the intriguing mystery. There are bad guys a plenty and a war going on. Just who is MC Katherine Hammond? What is her story? Will she/won't she give in to the forward Ms. Jenny Ryan? Will she ever spill her secrets? Guess I gotta wait until book 2 to find out.....
September 16, 2022
Fantastic slow burn
May 16, 2022
oh man i loved this. spies, journalists, tension, sexy lounge club singers, a firecracker of an mc who absoultely does not know when not to run her mouth and i love her for it, and a veryyyyy interesting dynamic all felt almost perfectly made for me. add in impeccable narration from abby craden (though i sooort of wished she hadn't given kat her super deep voice) and this was an absolute blast of a slow burn. i loved both mcs indivudually soooo much, and them together was even better. kat made me and jenny both swoon. the side characters felt fleshed out enough to make the world feel real but not take away from the mc's time, and the setting and aesthetics were easy to visualize. (could have done with out all the 'patriotism rah rah' stuff, but i do get that was kinda the mood of the time period). i cannot wait to read (or probably wait to listen? who know) to the rest of this series. def rec!!
April 28, 2023
So many things to say
Tomorrow
Tomorrow
March 26, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this gem on audible. J.E. Leak is a master at historical fiction. She has a beautiful way of transporting you through the time periods and allowing you to forget the present day—era we live in. I loved her evolving characters, and thoroughly enjoyed the wit and humor she interspersed throughout a lovely noir setting. I can't wait to further explore Jenny and Cat's relationship in the following books in the series!
January 21, 2024
I am in for a ride... oh my...
This series is total catnip.
Reviews will come later... I need more and I have 3 more books and I am loving it.
Serious crush on Kat.
I feel like I am in a old time classic movie... the elegance of those bygone times. I am smitten!
Starting second book now! 😂 What have I got myself into?!!!
This series is total catnip.
Reviews will come later... I need more and I have 3 more books and I am loving it.
Serious crush on Kat.
I feel like I am in a old time classic movie... the elegance of those bygone times. I am smitten!
Starting second book now! 😂 What have I got myself into?!!!
December 16, 2023
This was a really good, well written, sapphic historical novel. I love me some sapphic historical novels, and this was a fantastic find I stumbled upon completely by accident!
This is book 1 in a 4 book series, set in 1940's New York during WW2, and I liked the slow nature of the plot. It takes its time and doesn't rush, allowing us to get to know Kathryn and Jenny, the two main characters. This is the book they meet in, and while the attraction is evident, this is a marathon, not a sprint. I'm assuming they properly get together in a book or two.
I liked Kathryn slightly more than Jenny, simply for the mystery of her past. She was such a compelling character. A spy with a heart of gold, I can't wait to find out more about her!
Jenny, in comparison, was way more straightforward. I found her a little judgemental occasionally, but it made sense with the context she's given.
Two things stopped this from being 5 stars, unfortunately. One was head hopping. Anyone who has been following my reviews knows I can't stand head hopping. What makes it more strange, though, is that there were scene breaks where POV changed. So I don't understand the head hopping???
The other thing is personal preference, but I don't like men being sexual with the MC's in sapphic novels. Forrester, a mobster Kathryn is assigned to get close to, is pretty absent for most of the book, which suited me fine. But one of the scenes he is present for is sexual in nature, and I did not like it.
Other than those, this was a great historical novel! I look forward to the others in this series.
This is book 1 in a 4 book series, set in 1940's New York during WW2, and I liked the slow nature of the plot. It takes its time and doesn't rush, allowing us to get to know Kathryn and Jenny, the two main characters. This is the book they meet in, and while the attraction is evident, this is a marathon, not a sprint. I'm assuming they properly get together in a book or two.
I liked Kathryn slightly more than Jenny, simply for the mystery of her past. She was such a compelling character. A spy with a heart of gold, I can't wait to find out more about her!
Jenny, in comparison, was way more straightforward. I found her a little judgemental occasionally, but it made sense with the context she's given.
Two things stopped this from being 5 stars, unfortunately. One was head hopping. Anyone who has been following my reviews knows I can't stand head hopping. What makes it more strange, though, is that there were scene breaks where POV changed. So I don't understand the head hopping???
The other thing is personal preference, but I don't like men being sexual with the MC's in sapphic novels. Forrester, a mobster Kathryn is assigned to get close to, is pretty absent for most of the book, which suited me fine. But one of the scenes he is present for is sexual in nature, and I did not like it.
Other than those, this was a great historical novel! I look forward to the others in this series.
July 17, 2022
4.5 stars
I really enjoyed this 1940s noir-style book. Central to the story is the slow-building off-the-charts chemistry between newbie reporter Jenny Ryan and femme fatale nightclub singer Kathryn Hammond. It's not a romance - at least not yet. But it is a love story on the precipice of blooming.
Jenny is unwittingly drawn into Kathryn's web when she gets an anonymous tip about a wealthy, connected businessman who may be responsible for her father's death. When Jenny decides to seek out the man to ultimately bring him down, she doesn't expect to find Kat, whose stunning beauty and talent completely captivates her. What Jenny doesn't know is that Kat is an agent who works for the OSS carrying out missions stateside as the war continues without her in Europe.
This is the first of what I understand will be four installments. While it's not action packed, the pace lends itself to the time period and sets up their story nicely and teases a bit of what is to come.
Leak very wisely chose Abby Craden to narrate the audiobook. Her Kathryn voice is sultry and delicious and she brings Jenny's youthful, confident and likable persona to life.
While I will also need to own these in book form because the covers are absolutely gorgeous, there's no question I'll also be picking up the second audiobook, In the Shadow of Love, when it is released as well. More Abby to come!
I really enjoyed this 1940s noir-style book. Central to the story is the slow-building off-the-charts chemistry between newbie reporter Jenny Ryan and femme fatale nightclub singer Kathryn Hammond. It's not a romance - at least not yet. But it is a love story on the precipice of blooming.
Jenny is unwittingly drawn into Kathryn's web when she gets an anonymous tip about a wealthy, connected businessman who may be responsible for her father's death. When Jenny decides to seek out the man to ultimately bring him down, she doesn't expect to find Kat, whose stunning beauty and talent completely captivates her. What Jenny doesn't know is that Kat is an agent who works for the OSS carrying out missions stateside as the war continues without her in Europe.
This is the first of what I understand will be four installments. While it's not action packed, the pace lends itself to the time period and sets up their story nicely and teases a bit of what is to come.
Leak very wisely chose Abby Craden to narrate the audiobook. Her Kathryn voice is sultry and delicious and she brings Jenny's youthful, confident and likable persona to life.
While I will also need to own these in book form because the covers are absolutely gorgeous, there's no question I'll also be picking up the second audiobook, In the Shadow of Love, when it is released as well. More Abby to come!
October 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5 stars, rounded up)
In the Shadow of the Past by J. E. Leak completely pulled me in. The story is rich, emotional, and beautifully crafted. I fell hard for the characters; especially Kathryn and Jenny. Their chemistry feels so real and layered, you can tell how much care and detail the author poured into their relationship and the general story of the book.
Besides, the suspense and mystery kept me hooked the entire time. The atmosphere is tense but elegant, with just the right amount of unease to make you keep turning pages. The pacing never drags, and every scene feels like it matters.
It’s one of those rare books that balances emotional depth and plot perfectly. Definitely worth a read. 4.5 stars ✨
In the Shadow of the Past by J. E. Leak completely pulled me in. The story is rich, emotional, and beautifully crafted. I fell hard for the characters; especially Kathryn and Jenny. Their chemistry feels so real and layered, you can tell how much care and detail the author poured into their relationship and the general story of the book.
Besides, the suspense and mystery kept me hooked the entire time. The atmosphere is tense but elegant, with just the right amount of unease to make you keep turning pages. The pacing never drags, and every scene feels like it matters.
It’s one of those rare books that balances emotional depth and plot perfectly. Definitely worth a read. 4.5 stars ✨
July 27, 2022
3.5 rounded to 4
August 28, 2025
4.5 🌟
I’m hooked on the story and ready to float away into each instalment to come 🎶
I’m hooked on the story and ready to float away into each instalment to come 🎶
August 5, 2021
J. E. Leak has done an outstanding job with this novel. It grabs the reader from the very first paragraph of the Prologue:
July 1940: France
A gun can be your best friend. She never thought of a gun that way before — never thought about one at all, really — but war has a way of making the most abhorrent things possible and the unthinkable an answer to prayer.
We know from the blurb this story is told from an American perspective. So why is (most likely) an American woman in the middle of France thinking about a gun less than a month after the French signed an armistice with the Germans and more than a year before the US officially entered the war? Neutrality only takes you so far - especially when you have German soldiers after you.
My first reading session lasted until nearly 3am because I could not put this book down. The collection of eclectic, fully rounded characters, natural dialogue, subtly applied hints, a few twists and turns, seduction, and excellent expression, make it one of my favourite reads of 2021.
We are easily drawn into Jenny and Kathryn’s world and quite soon care about these characters and what happens to them. Jenny, a newspaper reporter desperate to identify the culprit behind her father’s untimely death so she does not have to carry the blame herself; and Kathryn, an OSS operative stuck Stateside performing the role of gangster’s moll and nightclub singer after falling apart psychologically on her last mission. Both women are nursing deep hurt and trauma. Both can be emotionally unstable. While Jenny is effervescent with a tendency to jump to conclusions, Kat is stoic and seductively calm - on the surface. When they fall into each other’s orbits, there is no denying the danger and the attraction.
It is clear Leak has done an inordinate amount of research for this novel. Every little detail is right for the time period, even the amount of material in a shirt collar. Although I thought the slang might have been a touch overdone in some dialogue exchanges in the first third of the book. It does, however, do its job of setting the time frame and providing character personality. I could be overly sensitive because I’m not American and slang that I’m not used to has a tendency to sound cheesy in any circumstance.
I mentioned Leak has excellent expression. In effect, she paints with words which allows the text to flow like a movie in the reader’s head. For instance, she describes on p. 48 a single strand of pearls clinging greedily to her neck. Or on p. 95 ...his mouth drank from hers.... I can see these things.
As far as romance goes, this is a very slow burn seduction. After 361 pages, the two main characters have not even properly kissed. However, we feel they are destined to be together, even if they are fighting against it. It is the simple, intimate things that crop up through the novel, an unguarded look, a hand resting in comfort, an embrace - and the fact Jenny is not too shy in sharing her lustful musings with the reader. If you are after hot sex, you won’t find it in this book, but if you are a fan of longing and frustration, this will hit the mark. Sometimes, in a lesfic book, the mood is spoiled by a sex scene because the author feels they should include it. I’m glad Leak held back, even dousing it with cold water at one point. I look forward to seeing where things go in Book 2.
Overall this is an exciting and intriguing read that sweeps you up and doesn’t let you go. It leaves you wanting more - immediately. Highly recommend.
July 1940: France
A gun can be your best friend. She never thought of a gun that way before — never thought about one at all, really — but war has a way of making the most abhorrent things possible and the unthinkable an answer to prayer.
We know from the blurb this story is told from an American perspective. So why is (most likely) an American woman in the middle of France thinking about a gun less than a month after the French signed an armistice with the Germans and more than a year before the US officially entered the war? Neutrality only takes you so far - especially when you have German soldiers after you.
My first reading session lasted until nearly 3am because I could not put this book down. The collection of eclectic, fully rounded characters, natural dialogue, subtly applied hints, a few twists and turns, seduction, and excellent expression, make it one of my favourite reads of 2021.
We are easily drawn into Jenny and Kathryn’s world and quite soon care about these characters and what happens to them. Jenny, a newspaper reporter desperate to identify the culprit behind her father’s untimely death so she does not have to carry the blame herself; and Kathryn, an OSS operative stuck Stateside performing the role of gangster’s moll and nightclub singer after falling apart psychologically on her last mission. Both women are nursing deep hurt and trauma. Both can be emotionally unstable. While Jenny is effervescent with a tendency to jump to conclusions, Kat is stoic and seductively calm - on the surface. When they fall into each other’s orbits, there is no denying the danger and the attraction.
It is clear Leak has done an inordinate amount of research for this novel. Every little detail is right for the time period, even the amount of material in a shirt collar. Although I thought the slang might have been a touch overdone in some dialogue exchanges in the first third of the book. It does, however, do its job of setting the time frame and providing character personality. I could be overly sensitive because I’m not American and slang that I’m not used to has a tendency to sound cheesy in any circumstance.
I mentioned Leak has excellent expression. In effect, she paints with words which allows the text to flow like a movie in the reader’s head. For instance, she describes on p. 48 a single strand of pearls clinging greedily to her neck. Or on p. 95 ...his mouth drank from hers.... I can see these things.
As far as romance goes, this is a very slow burn seduction. After 361 pages, the two main characters have not even properly kissed. However, we feel they are destined to be together, even if they are fighting against it. It is the simple, intimate things that crop up through the novel, an unguarded look, a hand resting in comfort, an embrace - and the fact Jenny is not too shy in sharing her lustful musings with the reader. If you are after hot sex, you won’t find it in this book, but if you are a fan of longing and frustration, this will hit the mark. Sometimes, in a lesfic book, the mood is spoiled by a sex scene because the author feels they should include it. I’m glad Leak held back, even dousing it with cold water at one point. I look forward to seeing where things go in Book 2.
Overall this is an exciting and intriguing read that sweeps you up and doesn’t let you go. It leaves you wanting more - immediately. Highly recommend.
July 3, 2021
Two feisty, sexy leads and great characterisation. A sumptuous grip on the past, a deep dive into another age with luscious detail and gritty realism. Great pacing with the story unfolding with just enough tantalising hints to keep you guessing. Mystery, murder, action and intrigue, a sultry jazz singer, a plucky journalist – all set in that glorious time when seams up the back of your stockings was a thing.
This is a great read. Two women falling in love – one eager, one determined not to fall lest she hurt the other – with so many secrets between them, in a time when the world wasn’t safe, when war threatened, when there were still so many battles to be fought.
This the first installment in an ongoing tale. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
This is a great read. Two women falling in love – one eager, one determined not to fall lest she hurt the other – with so many secrets between them, in a time when the world wasn’t safe, when war threatened, when there were still so many battles to be fought.
This the first installment in an ongoing tale. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
January 15, 2023
Sapphic WWII era spies! This was a very unusual and fascinating read - now I'm excited to read the rest of the series.
December 16, 2023
3.5⭐️Good plot twists and I liked Katheryn’s character.
Looking forward to the next three in the series too
Looking forward to the next three in the series too
September 28, 2022
If you like lady spies with mysterious past… Kathryn Hammond is your gal.
Abby Craden is arguably one of the best narrators of sapphic fiction, but her performance in this was exceptionally good.
The plot is heavy on mystery, light on the romance (though the sexual tension is there), and this book will leave you with many unanswered questions… time to check out the rest of the books in the series!
Abby Craden is arguably one of the best narrators of sapphic fiction, but her performance in this was exceptionally good.
The plot is heavy on mystery, light on the romance (though the sexual tension is there), and this book will leave you with many unanswered questions… time to check out the rest of the books in the series!
May 13, 2024
Loved the characters, the history, and the romance. Great series starter.
May 29, 2025
2.5 ⭐
"But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo"
I started this book with pretty high expectations—mainly because of all the hype and glowing reviews. Funny enough, that same hype made me put it off for a while. I was worried it wouldn't live up to everything people were saying... and unfortunately, that ended up being the case for me.
I just couldn’t get into the story—it didn’t really grab me. On top of that, I struggled with the main characters. Their personalities didn’t click with me at all, and I couldn’t relate to them, which made it hard to get invested in their relationship. Honestly, the way their connection developed just didn’t feel believable to me.
In the end, I only pushed through and finished the book just to finish it—not because I was genuinely interested or enjoying it, which is such a shame :(
"But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo"
I started this book with pretty high expectations—mainly because of all the hype and glowing reviews. Funny enough, that same hype made me put it off for a while. I was worried it wouldn't live up to everything people were saying... and unfortunately, that ended up being the case for me.
I just couldn’t get into the story—it didn’t really grab me. On top of that, I struggled with the main characters. Their personalities didn’t click with me at all, and I couldn’t relate to them, which made it hard to get invested in their relationship. Honestly, the way their connection developed just didn’t feel believable to me.
In the end, I only pushed through and finished the book just to finish it—not because I was genuinely interested or enjoying it, which is such a shame :(
December 12, 2023
Jenny’s father was murdered. She received an anonymous phone call with a tip that a ruthless, notorious tycoon was behind it. She ends up with a mutual attraction to a beautiful nightclub singer who is the tycoon’s girlfriend. If she can find out from the woman she’s crushing on, then maybe she can get the answers she needs. It sounds easier than it is.
The writer does a marvelous job with building not only the characters, but builds a marvelous plot that has constant twists and turns, the best being the slow, slow burning romance between two women who know the danger of being exposed to the wrong people.
The writer does a marvelous job with building not only the characters, but builds a marvelous plot that has constant twists and turns, the best being the slow, slow burning romance between two women who know the danger of being exposed to the wrong people.
April 21, 2024
4,75/5
I NEED THE SECOND BOOK actually gonna do right now.
A fact about me ???I never read the whole series in a setting, but I can't imagine reading anything but the second book from this series right now
I NEED THE SECOND BOOK actually gonna do right now.
A fact about me ???I never read the whole series in a setting, but I can't imagine reading anything but the second book from this series right now
June 28, 2024
4.5 stars? This was really good! Jenny, Kathryn, and the rest of the characters were all so wonderfully realized: I felt like I knew them all in real life. I was a bit put off by the random instances of head hopping side characters’ POVs, though
April 12, 2025
For some reason I went into this expecting an age gap couple. So I was a little disappointed, but of course that's entirely on me. I have no clue where I got the idea that it's an age gap romance...
The book itself is really good overall. Who doesn't enjoy espionage, history and lesbians? It's well-written, with an engaging plot and fairly well-developed characters.
I must have missed the memo that it's very slowburn too because wow lol.
The book itself is really good overall. Who doesn't enjoy espionage, history and lesbians? It's well-written, with an engaging plot and fairly well-developed characters.
I must have missed the memo that it's very slowburn too because wow lol.
April 6, 2024
I feel really fortunate to have inadvertently chosen this series to read whilst still travelling. The writing pulls me in effortlessly everytime. Kathryn and Jenny are also such compelling, vivid characters that I felt like a frustrated Cupid throughout the push and pull of their relationship angst of Books 1 and 2!
Books 3 and 4 are my favourites as the action/drama ramps up. The stakes of the war/spy plot the author painstaking built over the first two books was used perfectly to highlight the challenges our ladies faced and their story's resolution.
Last but not least, I'd like to express my gratitude to the author for the HEA. Kat and Jenny's story could easily have ended differently given the period in which this story was set.
Books 3 and 4 are my favourites as the action/drama ramps up. The stakes of the war/spy plot the author painstaking built over the first two books was used perfectly to highlight the challenges our ladies faced and their story's resolution.
Last but not least, I'd like to express my gratitude to the author for the HEA. Kat and Jenny's story could easily have ended differently given the period in which this story was set.
June 28, 2023
This one has been sitting in my Kindle for a while. Finally got around to it and got hooked on the series. The author does a good job of giving you just enough so you have to go into the next book in the series. Already on book 2 and dying to know what is next. 4⭐️
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