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The Agency #2
Agents of Winter
Arthur and Martin have settled into a quiet life, orbiting each other both on the job and off. Still in recovery from his last devastating mission, Martin is adjusting to his new reality as a permanent desk jockey at the Agency while Arthur is adjusting to his deep feelings for Martin. He’s not even sure what to put on the Agency’s dreaded form B-837, the “relationship form”. Are they dating? “Involved”? In a committed “something”?
The winter holidays interrupt their routines with the annual threat of annual obligatory trips for both of them. At first, old habits rise up to conspire to keep them separated until after the new year, but Martin derails both their plans when he asks Arthur to join him for a week in New York City. He’s still haunted by the ghosts of his childhood, but is he ready to face a new future with Arthur? He knows there is only one way to find out, despite his understated anxiety.
Arthur arrives in New York City ready to play tourist, but instead finds himself unexpectedly and deeply entwined in the mysteries of Martin’s past. Through a risky confrontation with the underground art world to a secret, heavily guarded storage unit, to sharing the quiet joy of impromptu cooking lessons, Martin and Arthur get to know each other on a deeper level than they ever have before. Together they confront the hardest and scariest mission they’ve ever faced: learning what it means, and how it feels, to fall in love.
In this sequel to the acclaimed His Quiet Agent, Ada Maria Soto once again brings to life the complex and deeply moving stories of Martin and Arthur as they face new challenges as well as ghosts from their pasts.
The winter holidays interrupt their routines with the annual threat of annual obligatory trips for both of them. At first, old habits rise up to conspire to keep them separated until after the new year, but Martin derails both their plans when he asks Arthur to join him for a week in New York City. He’s still haunted by the ghosts of his childhood, but is he ready to face a new future with Arthur? He knows there is only one way to find out, despite his understated anxiety.
Arthur arrives in New York City ready to play tourist, but instead finds himself unexpectedly and deeply entwined in the mysteries of Martin’s past. Through a risky confrontation with the underground art world to a secret, heavily guarded storage unit, to sharing the quiet joy of impromptu cooking lessons, Martin and Arthur get to know each other on a deeper level than they ever have before. Together they confront the hardest and scariest mission they’ve ever faced: learning what it means, and how it feels, to fall in love.
In this sequel to the acclaimed His Quiet Agent, Ada Maria Soto once again brings to life the complex and deeply moving stories of Martin and Arthur as they face new challenges as well as ghosts from their pasts.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2022
12 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Ada Maria Soto
19 books268 followersA psychologist once told Ada Maria Soto that she has a fantasy prone personality. Fortunately, Ada grew up to become an author, so a life lived deep in her imagination fits her perfectly. As a Mexican-American expat living in the South Pacific with her partner and kid, her life is chaotically divided between being a writer, a publisher, and a parent.
Dysgraphia, phonological dyslexia, and ADHD makes for some exciting editing, but Ada continues to push through with a writing career. She’s a veteran of the theatre and television business, as well as all the lousy jobs that come with two liberal arts degrees.
Ada’s ability to capture the complex inner life of her characters in moving, yet relatable, ways endears readers to her unforgettable characters. Whether writing hot, spicy erotica or “tame” romances about asexual characters, she creates stories that readers return to again and again.
When not buried under manuscripts, Ada is a sports fan dedicated to the Oakland A’s, Auckland Blues, USA Eagles, and New Zealand Black Caps.
Dysgraphia, phonological dyslexia, and ADHD makes for some exciting editing, but Ada continues to push through with a writing career. She’s a veteran of the theatre and television business, as well as all the lousy jobs that come with two liberal arts degrees.
Ada’s ability to capture the complex inner life of her characters in moving, yet relatable, ways endears readers to her unforgettable characters. Whether writing hot, spicy erotica or “tame” romances about asexual characters, she creates stories that readers return to again and again.
When not buried under manuscripts, Ada is a sports fan dedicated to the Oakland A’s, Auckland Blues, USA Eagles, and New Zealand Black Caps.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
September 28, 2024
Maybe my expectations going in were wrong, but I found this book disappointing.
April 28, 2023
This was perfect.
I enjoyed the first book, even more so on second read. It wasn't a book that demanded a sequel but at the same time it left me wanting more of this world.
Honestly, nothing much happens in this book. There's no big drama or any big reveals that we couldn't work out. Just a quiet subtle story.
What there is is two people that balance each other out. No hot passion, but a deep calm and rightness. They ground each other. We see where they both come from and how well they suit each other. There's sightseeing, cooking and holding hands. A dreamy magic quality at times.
Also we get Martin's perspective, which breaks his fenced off mystique without changing who he is.
The author mentions neuro-divergence at the start, and I think what she says is a big part of it. She's not deliberately writing a type, she's just writing them. It feels genuine.
The end is great, it's a good place, by no means the end of their story. Again a sequel isn't needed, but I'd still love to read more. Hell I want to continue and see Martin at 'his kids' graduations.
-----
SQUEAL there's a release date, it's soon, and I'm on hols that day 😁
I enjoyed the first book, even more so on second read. It wasn't a book that demanded a sequel but at the same time it left me wanting more of this world.
Honestly, nothing much happens in this book. There's no big drama or any big reveals that we couldn't work out. Just a quiet subtle story.
What there is is two people that balance each other out. No hot passion, but a deep calm and rightness. They ground each other. We see where they both come from and how well they suit each other. There's sightseeing, cooking and holding hands. A dreamy magic quality at times.
Also we get Martin's perspective, which breaks his fenced off mystique without changing who he is.
The author mentions neuro-divergence at the start, and I think what she says is a big part of it. She's not deliberately writing a type, she's just writing them. It feels genuine.
The end is great, it's a good place, by no means the end of their story. Again a sequel isn't needed, but I'd still love to read more. Hell I want to continue and see Martin at 'his kids' graduations.
-----
SQUEAL there's a release date, it's soon, and I'm on hols that day 😁
October 12, 2025
So, so beautiful. So romantic...
I already can't wait to re-read the series. Instant all time favourite.
This book filled in many little gaps and let me watch Martin and Arthur for a few weeks, months after the end of book 1.
I'm in awe of the author's writing skills.
The first time Arthur and Martin hug on page? Wow. So satisfying to read, knowing Arthur is there for Martin when he feels lost.
(Martin:)
"I have never needed the Agency. Technically I have never needed any employment. The Agency found me. Alone, intelligent, low social skills, according to my recruitment profile. They offered me structure, while staying within the bubble of my own mind."
"Then I showed up and popped that bubble."
Martin looked up at him. He had a small smile and a shine in his eyes. "No. You sat quietly beside me until our bubbles merged into one."
I already can't wait to re-read the series. Instant all time favourite.
This book filled in many little gaps and let me watch Martin and Arthur for a few weeks, months after the end of book 1.
I'm in awe of the author's writing skills.
The first time Arthur and Martin hug on page? Wow. So satisfying to read, knowing Arthur is there for Martin when he feels lost.
(Martin:)
"I have never needed the Agency. Technically I have never needed any employment. The Agency found me. Alone, intelligent, low social skills, according to my recruitment profile. They offered me structure, while staying within the bubble of my own mind."
"Then I showed up and popped that bubble."
Martin looked up at him. He had a small smile and a shine in his eyes. "No. You sat quietly beside me until our bubbles merged into one."
March 15, 2023
If you've read His Quiet Agent & Merlin in the Library, you will know why Agents of Winter is a 5-star book and why it's on my Favourites shelf, my Read when I'm Down shelf, and my Read when I'm Happy shelf. It is a small enduring delight.
If you haven't read His Quiet Agent, please stop reading this review and give yourself the quiet heartfelt pleasure of discovering Arthur, Martin, the library and cooking.
I will follow Ada Maria Soto round and round every miserable multi-storey car park of Purgatory and through all the traffic jams of Hell for just another paragraph about the Agency.
If you haven't read His Quiet Agent, please stop reading this review and give yourself the quiet heartfelt pleasure of discovering Arthur, Martin, the library and cooking.
I will follow Ada Maria Soto round and round every miserable multi-storey car park of Purgatory and through all the traffic jams of Hell for just another paragraph about the Agency.
October 14, 2022
His Quiet Agent is one of my all-time favorite romances, and one of the reasons I love it is that it left many things open-ended, so there was a lot of room for readers to see their own experiences in Martin and Arthur’s. I was excited but wary when I learned there would be a sequel, and unfortunately a lot of my fears for the book came true.
The parts of the book that focused on Martin and Arthur together were wonderful. The loving acceptance and support from the first book have grown into something even more powerful as they’ve gotten to know each other better. And it’s fantastic to see little things like Martin going to occupational therapy for social skills, something I don’t think I’ve seen in a book before.
I wish the whole book had been about small moments between the characters, but instead it focuses mainly on adding details to Martin and Arthur’s lives that I never felt like I needed to know. By the end of the book, I felt more distant from the characters than ever before.
Making Martin unfathomably rich and an art expert transformed him into a character I could no longer connect to in the same way I could in the first book. Some of that was previously hinted at, but I didn’t need scenes of him instantly being able to tell which paintings in the Met are forged, or making shady backroom art deals. Those scenes were so painfully unrealistic, and more than that, they took time away from developing Martin as a person, or showing the changes in his relationship with Arthur. When I read His Quiet Agent, what I wanted more of was Martin and Arthur’s daily life, not what are essentially fantasy adventures.
I also wonder if something was lost by making Martin’s background more concrete. I loved that in His Quiet Agent, we don’t really know why Martin is the way he is. His character has resonated with a lot of neurodivergent readers, but many of his traits appear to also be shaped by past trauma, making his diagnoses unclear. So many romances give their characters obvious, unquestionable diagnoses in a way that can feel unrelatable because real-life is rarely so clear-cut. His Quiet Agent was refreshing because it didn’t really matter what diagnoses Martin might have. Arthur—and, by extension, the reader—could accept and accommodate him without knowing any of that. By giving more of Martin’s background, Agents of Winter opens the door to those “why are you like this?” questions and turns Martin’s story into a more typical-for-romance trauma narrative. It’s sensitively handled, but I guess I just liked having a book where the author refused to even engage with those questions in the first place, because in real life you don’t get that type of information when deciding how you’re going to treat other people.
There were some lovely moments in this book and I don’t regret reading it, but I also could have lived without it.
The parts of the book that focused on Martin and Arthur together were wonderful. The loving acceptance and support from the first book have grown into something even more powerful as they’ve gotten to know each other better. And it’s fantastic to see little things like Martin going to occupational therapy for social skills, something I don’t think I’ve seen in a book before.
I wish the whole book had been about small moments between the characters, but instead it focuses mainly on adding details to Martin and Arthur’s lives that I never felt like I needed to know. By the end of the book, I felt more distant from the characters than ever before.
Making Martin unfathomably rich and an art expert transformed him into a character I could no longer connect to in the same way I could in the first book. Some of that was previously hinted at, but I didn’t need scenes of him instantly being able to tell which paintings in the Met are forged, or making shady backroom art deals. Those scenes were so painfully unrealistic, and more than that, they took time away from developing Martin as a person, or showing the changes in his relationship with Arthur. When I read His Quiet Agent, what I wanted more of was Martin and Arthur’s daily life, not what are essentially fantasy adventures.
I also wonder if something was lost by making Martin’s background more concrete. I loved that in His Quiet Agent, we don’t really know why Martin is the way he is. His character has resonated with a lot of neurodivergent readers, but many of his traits appear to also be shaped by past trauma, making his diagnoses unclear. So many romances give their characters obvious, unquestionable diagnoses in a way that can feel unrelatable because real-life is rarely so clear-cut. His Quiet Agent was refreshing because it didn’t really matter what diagnoses Martin might have. Arthur—and, by extension, the reader—could accept and accommodate him without knowing any of that. By giving more of Martin’s background, Agents of Winter opens the door to those “why are you like this?” questions and turns Martin’s story into a more typical-for-romance trauma narrative. It’s sensitively handled, but I guess I just liked having a book where the author refused to even engage with those questions in the first place, because in real life you don’t get that type of information when deciding how you’re going to treat other people.
There were some lovely moments in this book and I don’t regret reading it, but I also could have lived without it.
October 14, 2022
He was sure love was too small a word for what he was feeling. A binding from which he never wanted to be unbound. A sea into which he desired to sink.
A slice of life is one of my favorite kind of stories - about people in their day to day, without having to deal with big scandal or big drama... and Agents of Winter offers me exactly that.
Yes, there are repercussions of a HUGE event (Martin being hurt on his last job - and he struggles physically as well as mentally on top of everything else) and let's face it, the occupation of Arthur and Martin may not be "common" ...
however, this is a story about two person connecting, building something binding between them, not with grand gestures, however, but by taking care of each other, by cooking food, by watching movies, by going touristy in New York, by exchanging gifts, by going ice skating...
And I appreciate Martin's point of views this time. I feel like I understand him better now, that he's not as huge as an enigma when I read His Quiet Agent all those years ago...
Such a LOVELY, LOVELY story, that feels like a warm drink on a rainy day.
PS: I wish there's final update about Martin's "kids" in the epilogue... did he able to get them all to that prestigous school? Could Martin convince the parents??
October 14, 2022
What a lovely follow-up to the first story, which I wrote about here. This novella has a slice-of-life feel to it (even if some of those slices are a bit more dramatic than most, given Martin's past) with a sprinkling of hurt-comfort here and there, and a deep and quiet sense of two characters sharing a life. We revisit some of the major plot points of the first book - Arthur's family, Martin's past, both their work at the agency - and see how their relationship has developed. What they share is clearly hard for both of them to find terms for, but at the same time both Martin and Arthur seem to understand their relationship - and each other - deeply and treasure it completely, and it's really lovely to read.
I also think this book offers a really original approach to the concept of intimacy in romance. When I think about how most romances create intimacy, the first things that come to mind are sex scenes and dialogue. There's none of the former here (Martin is asexual- at least, this is a term Arthur has used, though Martin doest not employ it on-page) and very little of the latter, as both the two characters are shy and introspective. Yet this is one of the most deeply intimate romances I've read, created entirely from proximity and understanding and silence. It's truly a tour de force, and I think a worthy (quickly-read) addition to any romance reader's repertoire.
I also think this book offers a really original approach to the concept of intimacy in romance. When I think about how most romances create intimacy, the first things that come to mind are sex scenes and dialogue. There's none of the former here (Martin is asexual- at least, this is a term Arthur has used, though Martin doest not employ it on-page) and very little of the latter, as both the two characters are shy and introspective. Yet this is one of the most deeply intimate romances I've read, created entirely from proximity and understanding and silence. It's truly a tour de force, and I think a worthy (quickly-read) addition to any romance reader's repertoire.
November 30, 2023
This book entirely lives up to the quality of its predecessor. I hope there will be an audio.
October 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this sequel to His Quiet Agent. It was short, but there's a lot packed into it. Admittedly, I probably should have at least flipped through the first book, but I was only confused a couple of times.
Martin has come such a long way, and it was good to see that he feels comfortable enough with Arthur now to start opening up and revealing more of his past. He's gained so much confidence. And this was just so sweet. Arthur and Martin are so in love, and it's obvious from how they interact with each other. They're considerate and kind and genuine, and each little step forward had me cheering for them. This proves you don't need sex and orgasms to write a truly romantic love story. 🥰
Martin has come such a long way, and it was good to see that he feels comfortable enough with Arthur now to start opening up and revealing more of his past. He's gained so much confidence. And this was just so sweet. Arthur and Martin are so in love, and it's obvious from how they interact with each other. They're considerate and kind and genuine, and each little step forward had me cheering for them. This proves you don't need sex and orgasms to write a truly romantic love story. 🥰
November 16, 2022
A quiet, lovely story brimming with compassion and care.
This is a wonderful follow-up to Soto's exquisite novella His Quiet Agent. More slice-of-life than that book, we follow Martin and Arthur -- now an established couple -- through their first holiday season, culminating in a trip to New York where Martin deals with some personal business while Arthur plays tourist. Unlike in His Quiet Agent, we get Martin's POV as well as Arthur's, and we learn significantly more about Martin's backstory and trauma recovery journey (not just the trauma inflicted via the events of book 1, but the trauma that goes back to his childhood). We also get time with Arthur's widowed mom, cameos from his half-sisters and their mother, and quite a bit of Carol (yay, Carol!).
As with book 1, this tiny novella packs a huge emotional punch. What is most striking is how Martin and Arthur communicate not primarily or most effectively through word or touch, but through gestures, actions, silences, fleeting expressions, small smiles. Romance has a tendency to equate intimacy with sex -- the physical act being a proxy for the emotional journey. This isn't bad: sex scenes written deliberately and well can do a huge amount of character work, in addition to everything else we get out of them. What both Agents of Winter and His Quiet Agent give us instead is a story where hand-holding and the occasional hug or touch are the limits of the physical, but where the intimacy between Martin and Arthur feels no less profound, authentic, and earned: a real giving of hearts and minds.
This is a book about noticing. And about accepting. So often "accepting" tastes of compromise. Yet there is no compromise to Arthur's love of Martin, and vice versa. It is gentle, intelligent, wholehearted care and devotion and support. It is two men whose weirdness match.
These books have carved out a special place in my heart, and broadened my understanding of what our beloved romance genre can be and do. I love them.
This is a wonderful follow-up to Soto's exquisite novella His Quiet Agent. More slice-of-life than that book, we follow Martin and Arthur -- now an established couple -- through their first holiday season, culminating in a trip to New York where Martin deals with some personal business while Arthur plays tourist. Unlike in His Quiet Agent, we get Martin's POV as well as Arthur's, and we learn significantly more about Martin's backstory and trauma recovery journey (not just the trauma inflicted via the events of book 1, but the trauma that goes back to his childhood). We also get time with Arthur's widowed mom, cameos from his half-sisters and their mother, and quite a bit of Carol (yay, Carol!).
As with book 1, this tiny novella packs a huge emotional punch. What is most striking is how Martin and Arthur communicate not primarily or most effectively through word or touch, but through gestures, actions, silences, fleeting expressions, small smiles. Romance has a tendency to equate intimacy with sex -- the physical act being a proxy for the emotional journey. This isn't bad: sex scenes written deliberately and well can do a huge amount of character work, in addition to everything else we get out of them. What both Agents of Winter and His Quiet Agent give us instead is a story where hand-holding and the occasional hug or touch are the limits of the physical, but where the intimacy between Martin and Arthur feels no less profound, authentic, and earned: a real giving of hearts and minds.
This is a book about noticing. And about accepting. So often "accepting" tastes of compromise. Yet there is no compromise to Arthur's love of Martin, and vice versa. It is gentle, intelligent, wholehearted care and devotion and support. It is two men whose weirdness match.
These books have carved out a special place in my heart, and broadened my understanding of what our beloved romance genre can be and do. I love them.
"I have never needed the Agency. Technically I have never needed any employment. The Agency found me. Alone, intelligent, low social skills, according to my recruitment profile. They offered me structure, while staying within the bubble of my own mind."
"Then I showed up and popped that bubble."
Martin looked up at him. He had a small smile and a shine in his eyes. "No. You sat quietly beside me until our bubbles merged into one."
November 14, 2022
The follow-up to His Quiet Agent that I didn’t know I needed. In fact, this might be the first time I’ve wholeheartedly loved an unplanned sequel. It was full of heart-squeezing moments and entirely focused on Arthur and Martin’s growing intimacy while they define their queerplatonic relationship. I'm so glad they have each other! What a gift to belong to someone. Plus, we get Martin’s POV this time around as he goes to therapy and figures out how to tell Arthur about his past. Lovely through and through.
Characters: Arthur is a 29 year old white demisexual data management secret agent and an atheist. Martin is a white asexual neurodiverse secret agent. This is partially set in NYC.
Content notes: panic attacks, internalized ableism, migraine, needle (medication injection), past cult, past kidnapping and torture, past foster care, Martin’s aunt was an alcoholic and addicted to prescription drugs (she died when he was 16), past death of parents (Arthur’s father and Martin’s mother), parental infidelity (Arthur’s father had a long-time mistress and children with her), past disordered eating, diet culture, frequent mentions of MMC being previously underweight or regaining weight, past bullying, vomit, flu (epilogue), alcohol, ableist language, mention of caregiver who was murdered by her estranged husband, mention of past DUI (secondary character)
*Buddy read with Vicky!
Characters: Arthur is a 29 year old white demisexual data management secret agent and an atheist. Martin is a white asexual neurodiverse secret agent. This is partially set in NYC.
Content notes: panic attacks, internalized ableism, migraine, needle (medication injection), past cult, past kidnapping and torture, past foster care, Martin’s aunt was an alcoholic and addicted to prescription drugs (she died when he was 16), past death of parents (Arthur’s father and Martin’s mother), parental infidelity (Arthur’s father had a long-time mistress and children with her), past disordered eating, diet culture, frequent mentions of MMC being previously underweight or regaining weight, past bullying, vomit, flu (epilogue), alcohol, ableist language, mention of caregiver who was murdered by her estranged husband, mention of past DUI (secondary character)
*Buddy read with Vicky!
November 29, 2022
A good second installment which I enjoyed on a rainy weekend.
October 30, 2022
I love this. Very sweet follow up to His Quiet Agent, in which we hang out with Arthur and Martin over the holidays. Unlike book 1, which was all Arthur, POV alternates between Arthur and Martin, though the over all focus feels much more Martin centric as it's his backstory and emotions that make up the bulk of the new information. There's not really any action plot, just tender moments and character reveal. Ace spec m/m is not exactly a large niche, so it's nice to get a longer follow up for this pair. (Definitely read book 1 first, not much point to this if you haven't.)
December 20, 2023
I'm very glad we got to have this sequel. We learn about Martin's past and we see what a gem Arthur really is. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
February 27, 2023
Necessary Consumption
(A review for the entire series)
One of the issues that Arthur Dram (background cover) discovers very early on about his co-worker across the cubicle pathway in "the Agency" is that he rarely has anything to eat other than a sliced apple. Obviously, his rather thin work neighbor, whose name he discovers almost surreptitiously, is Martin Grove (foreground cover) needs to improve his diet, whatever it is.
Yes, it is necessary that one needs to consume food, but that's only one of many other things that Martin appears to be ignoring. Until, of course, Adam worms his way in.
Thus begins one of the most extraordinary hop-skip-and-jump literary experiences you are likely to experience in this, or any other, year. The first novella, "His Quiet Agent." was published in 2017, its short-story bridge "Merlin in the Library" in 2018 and the (maybe) finale "Agents in Winter" in 2022. The series is so unusual in so many ways in which it handles somewhat familiar tropes--and yet it is nothing like anything you will come across in the major trope--MM romance.
That's all I am going to say about that, other than nothing, nothing, will prepare you for one of the most graceful, gripping, exciting and loving literary experiences you are likely to have.
Trust me on this one. Get them, now.
Then light a candle in the wish that author Ada Maria Soto will wake up one morning and decide to finish it off with either another novella or short story. We don't really need one, but damn it would be soooooo wonderful to visit Martin and Arthur again.
(A review for the entire series)
One of the issues that Arthur Dram (background cover) discovers very early on about his co-worker across the cubicle pathway in "the Agency" is that he rarely has anything to eat other than a sliced apple. Obviously, his rather thin work neighbor, whose name he discovers almost surreptitiously, is Martin Grove (foreground cover) needs to improve his diet, whatever it is.
Yes, it is necessary that one needs to consume food, but that's only one of many other things that Martin appears to be ignoring. Until, of course, Adam worms his way in.
Thus begins one of the most extraordinary hop-skip-and-jump literary experiences you are likely to experience in this, or any other, year. The first novella, "His Quiet Agent." was published in 2017, its short-story bridge "Merlin in the Library" in 2018 and the (maybe) finale "Agents in Winter" in 2022. The series is so unusual in so many ways in which it handles somewhat familiar tropes--and yet it is nothing like anything you will come across in the major trope--MM romance.
That's all I am going to say about that, other than nothing, nothing, will prepare you for one of the most graceful, gripping, exciting and loving literary experiences you are likely to have.
Trust me on this one. Get them, now.
Then light a candle in the wish that author Ada Maria Soto will wake up one morning and decide to finish it off with either another novella or short story. We don't really need one, but damn it would be soooooo wonderful to visit Martin and Arthur again.
November 6, 2022
Our favorite lunch buddies are back! :)
I want to make this perfectly clear right from the start…I adore Martin and Arthur. His Quiet Agent is one of my all-time favorites and I visit the words and magic often. Soooo, THIS! This book made me so beaming happy at first sight. That said…
For me, the story filled in too much information at once. We get alot of background and both points of view and well...I didn’t need all of that in one story. It felt like over-explaining. Some readers need or want to know why or how. Me not so much. All I needed was more time with Martin and Arthur. And I got it! Their chemistry and quiet hum fits oh-so perfectly in my head and heart.
“There had been people in his life who judged him for his quiet and people who simply existed in the quiet with him.”
Arthur and Martin’s warm, bubble of silence says so much to me. It makes sense to me. And I adore being able to spend more time with them in their secret agent, office world. We get more lunch time, hand squeezes, even a phone call/text or two, and one of the sweetest gift exchanges in print. *sigh*
A sweet read that I will cherish and re-read again and again for Christmas. Because it’s a gift! Thank you, Ms. Soto.
October 13, 2022
This is one of the few romance series that are perfect for me. Sweet, fluffy, with lots of healing, and characters who care about and for each other. It's even rarer that I stumble upon one where the characters are also ace. As soon as I heard that there is a sequel, I had to preorder and read it—as as this one is Christmas-centered it would have perhaps been better if I waited, but I could not. I needed it. And it was just as delightful and fluffy and slice of life as expected. We get to know more of Martin's dark mysterious past and I really enjoyed that we get both POVs. I just wish it had been longer 😁
Enjoyment: 5/5
Execution: 5/5
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
Enjoyment: 5/5
Execution: 5/5
More reviews on my blog, To Other Worlds.
June 20, 2023
Absolutely lovely.
Book 2 was less specifically plot driven, and more just continued development and deepening of Martin and Arthur’s relationship. Extended epilogue of sorts. Which I loved!
We got some closure on events from Book 1, although Martin’s exact role at The Agency remains mysterious. (I actually think I like it like this - nothing could compare to all I’ve built up in my imagination at this point). Arthur visits home again and says a farewell of sorts to his father and sisters. Martin and Arthur are basically living together, and sign a Form ### (can’t remember exactly) with the Agency so they are Official. But mostly they just experience being in love and happy.
Overall I would recommend this book and series to anyone.
Book 2 was less specifically plot driven, and more just continued development and deepening of Martin and Arthur’s relationship. Extended epilogue of sorts. Which I loved!
We got some closure on events from Book 1, although Martin’s exact role at The Agency remains mysterious. (I actually think I like it like this - nothing could compare to all I’ve built up in my imagination at this point). Arthur visits home again and says a farewell of sorts to his father and sisters. Martin and Arthur are basically living together, and sign a Form ### (can’t remember exactly) with the Agency so they are Official. But mostly they just experience being in love and happy.
Overall I would recommend this book and series to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2022
Fantastic. Just like book 1.
September 28, 2022
I was lucky enough to score an early copy of this book. Book 1 - His Quiet Agent - is perhaps my favorite book with an asexual MC, (and definitely has to be read first.) In that story, Arthur slowly befriends Martin, the silent man who sits in the department lunchroom with a thick book, and a single apple, like clockwork every day. Through the course of the book, friendship becomes more, and Martin's painful closed-off silence gradually opens, with each gift of food and respect, to allow Arthur in. The ending is just an HFN, made a little more solid by Merlin in the Library which also gives us a window into Martin's POV.
But at the end, I definitely wanted more. I wanted to see these two settle into a relationship, to see how Arthur's lonely warmth and caretaking nature, and Martin's prickles and pain, could mesh into a working whole. With this book, I got exactly that, with both POVs to make it solid.
There's no huge exciting plot adventure here. Like the first, this is a quiet book, whose most poignant moments are sometimes silences. Here, we find out more about Martin's past, the things that changed him, and that drive him, and we meet two of the few other people who have meaning in his life, even if he's kept them at something of a distance. We see Arthur, dealing with the aftermath of his loss in book 1, as Christmas comes around.
But most of all, we see Martin-and-Arthur. They're still finding their way forward, figuring out how they fit together. But there's no doubt in the reader's mind that they do fit, that for each of them, the quiet agent in the other cubicle across the hall has become the center of their lives. The ending is solid HEA, even if as understated as Martin himself, and I closed the book with a satisfied sigh. There are loose ends, because that's real life. Martin's journey forward isn't all laid out. But whatever he decides, Arthur will be at his back and neither he nor the reader can doubt that anymore.
But at the end, I definitely wanted more. I wanted to see these two settle into a relationship, to see how Arthur's lonely warmth and caretaking nature, and Martin's prickles and pain, could mesh into a working whole. With this book, I got exactly that, with both POVs to make it solid.
There's no huge exciting plot adventure here. Like the first, this is a quiet book, whose most poignant moments are sometimes silences. Here, we find out more about Martin's past, the things that changed him, and that drive him, and we meet two of the few other people who have meaning in his life, even if he's kept them at something of a distance. We see Arthur, dealing with the aftermath of his loss in book 1, as Christmas comes around.
But most of all, we see Martin-and-Arthur. They're still finding their way forward, figuring out how they fit together. But there's no doubt in the reader's mind that they do fit, that for each of them, the quiet agent in the other cubicle across the hall has become the center of their lives. The ending is solid HEA, even if as understated as Martin himself, and I closed the book with a satisfied sigh. There are loose ends, because that's real life. Martin's journey forward isn't all laid out. But whatever he decides, Arthur will be at his back and neither he nor the reader can doubt that anymore.
November 29, 2022
A perfect follow up to the first book and the short story in the middle. It perfectly explains Martin’s history and shows how much he’s slowly improving, while staying in character and not doing an unrealistic healing 180. I loved this sweet story!
December 8, 2022
You really must read the first book to fully appreciate this one, but it's no hardship; I loved the first one.
This one is exquisite.
The representations are lovely, the kindness is beautiful, the progress is heartfelt. It's just gorgeous. If there were no more, I'd be delighted. But if there's more, I'd be even more delighted. Either way, I am grateful to the author for giving us characters so perfect for each other.
This one is exquisite.
The representations are lovely, the kindness is beautiful, the progress is heartfelt. It's just gorgeous. If there were no more, I'd be delighted. But if there's more, I'd be even more delighted. Either way, I am grateful to the author for giving us characters so perfect for each other.
September 25, 2022
I loved this book. It was so nice to see Martin and Arthur together for a whole book, and I adored the small moments of affection between them that meant so much. We learn a lot about Martin's history that helps to explain who he is, plus see more of Arthur's family situation. However the highlight for me was the absolute beauty of a romance built on quiet gestures and a true understanding of each other. It's a stunning book.
October 18, 2022
4.5
I know you said it took you 5 years to get this out there Ada Maria Soto.....
But imma beg you for more.
Like the first book, some aspects felt unfinished. I want to know more about Arthur's family. I know in real life, things often go unanswered. We don't get to have a satisfying conclusion to things that were out of our control.
I know the book says Arthur didn't think Hahn liked him much. And that his 2 other sisters hated him, only one who cared about him.
Call me crazy or just helpless optimism but I'd like to get into that more. I think even if Hahn felt some kind of affection for the little boy who spent so much time in her kitchen, she'd never say so. I think Arthur cares about her, he wouldn't be as into Vietnamese cooking if he didn't.
I don't know, I just want to know more. I want to know more about Martin. I want to know how stuff shakes out. I want to see some super cheesy proposal and wedding.
I wanna see Martin give Arthur a cheek peck again cuz I literally exploded into happy romantic glitter reading that.
My asexual heart was overjoyed. It's just so nice to see a character who's like me you know?
I know you said it took you 5 years to get this out there Ada Maria Soto.....
But imma beg you for more.
Like the first book, some aspects felt unfinished. I want to know more about Arthur's family. I know in real life, things often go unanswered. We don't get to have a satisfying conclusion to things that were out of our control.
I know the book says Arthur didn't think Hahn liked him much. And that his 2 other sisters hated him, only one who cared about him.
Call me crazy or just helpless optimism but I'd like to get into that more. I think even if Hahn felt some kind of affection for the little boy who spent so much time in her kitchen, she'd never say so. I think Arthur cares about her, he wouldn't be as into Vietnamese cooking if he didn't.
I don't know, I just want to know more. I want to know more about Martin. I want to know how stuff shakes out. I want to see some super cheesy proposal and wedding.
I wanna see Martin give Arthur a cheek peck again cuz I literally exploded into happy romantic glitter reading that.
My asexual heart was overjoyed. It's just so nice to see a character who's like me you know?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2023
Nice book, endearing characters, rather open ending.
ETA: I agree with the reviewer who wrote this story does not need an art collection, trust fund, found family and so on. It would have worked if the details were kept tiny. Maybe a traumatic past would fit, but don't take the story away from the atmosphere of book #1.
ETA: I agree with the reviewer who wrote this story does not need an art collection, trust fund, found family and so on. It would have worked if the details were kept tiny. Maybe a traumatic past would fit, but don't take the story away from the atmosphere of book #1.
October 10, 2022
What a wonderful sequel!
I loved His Quiet Agent (and did a reread when this came out), and it was wonderful to see more of these two complex men who care so deeply for each other.
It’s interesting reading a book with an ace character. Sometimes I think bedroom scenes become synonymous in readers’ minds with intimacy, yet there were beautiful intimate moments that had nothing to do with smexy times.
I especially loved seeing Martin open up and trust more. Arthur is so perfect for him and I absolutely believe in them as a couple who will make it until the end. *Happy sigh*
I loved His Quiet Agent (and did a reread when this came out), and it was wonderful to see more of these two complex men who care so deeply for each other.
It’s interesting reading a book with an ace character. Sometimes I think bedroom scenes become synonymous in readers’ minds with intimacy, yet there were beautiful intimate moments that had nothing to do with smexy times.
I especially loved seeing Martin open up and trust more. Arthur is so perfect for him and I absolutely believe in them as a couple who will make it until the end. *Happy sigh*
November 29, 2022
You can read this as a standalone but can I strongly urge you to start with Books #1 and #1.5 first so as to allow you to fall in love with the adorable quirkiness that is Martin and Arthur. Then you can fall in love with them all over again with this book - which takes up the plot fairly straight on after the other two.
Soooo much of Martin's (very traumatic) backstory and further historical insight into some of the 'unusual items' Arthur encountered (when he visited Martin's home for the very first time) was provided in this quiet holiday-read. Alongside Arthur, we get to meet Martin's effective 'parental-care' figures and learn what happened to his 'biological' family. We also get to revisit some of Arthur's familial dys-funtionality featured in the first book. And thank God we get more of BFF Carol!
Just as with the other books - there's no M-M action despite being touted as romance ... but seriously, one can't imagine how much love, acceptance and hotness can be expressed through a scent of a neck or a steady hand grip on a table; as readers will see - physical touch can indeed speak a thousand words for some. I can't get enough of the MCs and all the cookery aspects were an added bonus for me - with some hilarious asides such as:
"It's Thanksgiving, the only acceptable vegetables are green beans that have been cooked in Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, covered in fried onions, and baked until they lose all nutritional value."
I can only hope with events laid out in the Epilogue that the author plans on another book in the series - please let it be so! 5 full stars for a perfect holiday season reading start for me.
Soooo much of Martin's (very traumatic) backstory and further historical insight into some of the 'unusual items' Arthur encountered (when he visited Martin's home for the very first time) was provided in this quiet holiday-read. Alongside Arthur, we get to meet Martin's effective 'parental-care' figures and learn what happened to his 'biological' family. We also get to revisit some of Arthur's familial dys-funtionality featured in the first book. And thank God we get more of BFF Carol!
Just as with the other books - there's no M-M action despite being touted as romance ... but seriously, one can't imagine how much love, acceptance and hotness can be expressed through a scent of a neck or a steady hand grip on a table; as readers will see - physical touch can indeed speak a thousand words for some. I can't get enough of the MCs and all the cookery aspects were an added bonus for me - with some hilarious asides such as:
"It's Thanksgiving, the only acceptable vegetables are green beans that have been cooked in Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, covered in fried onions, and baked until they lose all nutritional value."
I can only hope with events laid out in the Epilogue that the author plans on another book in the series - please let it be so! 5 full stars for a perfect holiday season reading start for me.
October 29, 2022
I loved this. It's SO exciting to have another Arthur and Martin story in the world! I was looking forward to this book so much and I was not disappointed. It's absolutely lovely. Arthur and Martin go to New York and it's both charming and eye-opening. The stories in this series aren't long, but all three of them are wonderful and satisfying and make me happy. I read all three in a row and it was an afternoon well-spent. How amazing would it be if there were more?
October 16, 2022
Loved it. It's a quiet reflective story and just so so good.
Happy to see so much happy in Martin's life. He deserves this.
I want to read more. In fact, I went back and read the short story, Merlin in the Library but can't find my copy of book 1.
Happy to see so much happy in Martin's life. He deserves this.
I want to read more. In fact, I went back and read the short story, Merlin in the Library but can't find my copy of book 1.
December 11, 2023
A sweet winter / Christmas-themed romance that gives us another glimpse into the world of Arthur and Martin.
Not groundbreaking but still a nice gentle read.
Not groundbreaking but still a nice gentle read.
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