Apple Cider and Subterfuge

Only One Cozy Bed Novellas #2

by Elise Kennedy

Alex and Brynn are undercover agents in a cozy small town obsessed with apple cider.

Their cover? Newlyweds in love.
The only rule? Keep their relationship strictly business and strictly fake.

Can they nab the money-laundering mob boss without falling for each other?

Featuring:
Fake relationship
He falls first
Mutual pining
Small-town festival
Undercover agents
Cozy mystery
Spicy scenes

Genres: Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Short Stories, Audiobook, Holiday, Cozy Mystery

75 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

I write cozy, steamy, contemporary romances.
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Reviews

[rae ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Then, speaking as your non-husband, can I kiss you?"

[lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

”you said you couldn’t live without me.”
“what did you say back?”
“i said i’d never leave the woman i love.”

short and sweet. they’re such cuties 🦋💘

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apple Cider and Subterfuge is book two in the Small Town Romance Shorts by Elise Kennedy. If you like short, sweet, small town, fall themed stories, then you will definitely enjoy this one!

Alex and Brynn are both undercover FBI agents. They have been posing for over five months as a newly married couple living in Wellington, Massachusetts, a tiny town known for their delicious apple cider. The house they are living in is next door to an alleged kingpin money launderer, Peter Petrov. They are also pretty sure he has been paying off the local sheriff to look the other way. All they have to do is prove what has been going on. They are nearly at the end of their mission, a big deal is thought to be happening soon.



But, it’s a funny thing, living and sleeping with someone for so long. What’s fake starts to feel real. Both Alex and Brynn are hiding how their feelings have been growing. Once the mission is over, they will both be reassigned. Who knows when they’ll see each other again, if ever.

I read this in just a couple of hours. It’s a perfect break between two longer books. These two were so cute. I love fall themed romance and am so glad I picked this up.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Melanie THEE Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This FREE novella was so cute and cozy. Alex and Brynn are undercover FBI agents trying to take down a criminal overlord who's moved his operation to an adorable small-town called Wellington (think Stars Hollow). Alex and Brynn have been undercover for 5 months pretending to be newlyweds and their fake PDA has resulted in some very real feelings 🎵 UH OH 🎵 As their undercover operation wraps up, will they be able to take a risk and give into their feelings before it's too late?

My biggest beef with this novella is that I needed it to be a full-length romance. Alex and Brynn were likeable, sweet and COMPETENT characters. Yes, I'm here for characters who are actually good at their damn jobs 😭 This book was only 75 pages, but they were so adorable that I wanted to stay with them in this cute town with the cider festivals and twinkle lights for just a little bit longer.

Also, don't let that cute cover fool you; this book has steam (especially for a novella that's less than 100 pages) 🔥🔥🔥


If you're like me and you're a fan of "The Americans" "Gilmore Girls" and the general vibe of Nancy Meyers movies-yes, I am aware that this is a random combination 😂-you will enjoy this romance. It has all the cozy fall vibes that September demands 🍂 🎃 🧣

[mara · Rating 3 out of 5]

"you said you couldn't live without me,"
"what did you say back?"
"i said i'd never leave the woman i love."

[Mairi Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute cozy fall short story for an evening under the blanket while sipping a cup of tea. I liked the tension between them and it was quite satisfying even though it's just under 100 pages. Ideal for a quick read

[RLbooks (in and out) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd been wanting to trying this author and thanks to Christina's review, I chose this fun, FBI undercover romance to start with! It's a fluffy, fall themed romance that made for an entertaining and sweet read. Lots of longing on behalf of the H and h as they're posing as a married couple but crossing actual lines is against policy. I loved that the h is the more experienced member of their team too! So instead they each revel in any moment where they get to be intimate in public (kissing, hand holding, etc.) while being tortured with what they can't actually have in private.

The book begins close to the end of their assignment and both are conflicted about that. There is one full steamy scene and another good makeout scene. The actual investigation aspect was interesting, but I tried not to think too hard about the details since this is meant to be plot-lite with the investigation just the vehicle to bring them in forced proximity. There is a tiny bit of suspense/danger and then the ending is a HFN. The ending was another "don't think too hard on how this works", although it was sweet. I just had questions on their future still. Written in third person, dual POV. No ow/om drama and neither are virgins (no history given that I can recall). I would try another of this author's books, I do wonder though if they tend to have more of the HFN endings, which often leave me feeling incomplete.

[Hannah B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s so rare to find an author who writes novellas that feel like whole novels! Very good and a lot packed into a small amount of pages.

[Christina (stinarinareads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3✨
1🌶️

#️⃣ 73 page contemporary romance novella
🕵️‍♀️ FBI agents undercover as married couple
💋 Open door spice, but more fluffy

A very quick and cute Fall read about two FBI agents posing undercover as a married couple in a small Massachusetts town in order to capture a crime boss.

But believe me, don’t come into this expecting a hardcore crime novel, this premise is mostly used for trope purposes, as a vehicle for the romance. It’s very light, there is spice, vanilla-toned and fluffy🤍

Makes me want an apple cider donut reeeeal baaaad.

[Patty (IheartYA311) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy, quick read but too much smex and not enough substance. It was like watered down apple cider.

[vanessa ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
these are so entertaining and fun to read

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apple Cider and Subterfuge
2.5✨

[Jacinta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute and easy read!!

[Taylin Ashlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little novella about undercover fbi agents really in my fall vibes era

[Isha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apple Cider and Subterfuge by Elise Kennedy was such a fun, cozy read! I loved that the story jumped right in without a long setup. Alex and Brynn were immediately head over heels, and their chemistry was on fire. Since they’re coworkers who technically can’t be together, they make the most of little public moments, like holding hands or sneaking a kiss, which only adds to the tension when they’re alone. Their connection felt genuine and made me root for them the whole way through.

The plot itself is simple, and while the mystery isn’t super detailed, that worked fine with the book’s shorter length. It kept the focus on the romance and the fall vibes, which I really enjoyed.

Overall, this is a fluffy, fall-themed romance with a touch of a spy mystery that’s sweet and easy to get into. It’s perfect for anyone wanting a lighthearted, steamy romance wrapped up in cozy autumn vibes.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book: Apple Cider & Subterfuge
Author: Elise Kennedy
Stars: 3 ⭐
Spice: 2.5 🌶️

My Review: Quick fun mildly spicy novella for the fall season. I picked it up because I wanted a quick read. And it gave me just that. Overall I enjoyed the story. You don't have time to really get attached to characters and there is no complex story line to sort out. It's a comfy cozy read. It took less than an hour to read. Def recommend if that is what you are in the mood for :)

Tropes:
🍁 Fake Relationship
🍁 Only one Bed
🍁 He falls first
🍁 Mutual Pining
🍁 Small-town festival
🍁 Undercover agents

[adeela_books ❁ཻུ۪۪ · Rating 3 out of 5]

TROPES:
• co-workers to lovers
• undercover FBI agents
• sèxual tension
• small town in autumn-fall
• crime/action aspects
• forced proximity
• fake marriage as a cover

🍂🍂🍂


A cute,short and sweet small town forced proximity romance with a fake marriage that's a cover story for 2 undercover FBI agents trying to bust a mafia boss.

Lines blur when the fake starts to feel all too real in this novella.

I liked the added mini trope of action tossed into the mix and the Autumn/Fall vibes in this cozy small town.

This series makes a good read for bumping up that reading goal or when you want something quick to read.

[jordan | joburns.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 4.5
🌶️ Open Door, Explicit

🍎 Short Story/Novella
🍎 Romantic Suspense
🍎 Cozy Mystery
🍎 Workplace Romance
🍎 Only One Bed
🍎 Fake Married (Undercover)
🍎 Forced Proximity

Another cozy fall romance with a suspenseful twist! Quick read, low stakes. Just a fun fall vibes short story. Great audio!

[Alexandra ♡︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Then, speaking as your non-husband, can I kiss you?”

I’m just gonna leave this here🤭

[Héloïse ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Almost a 4 stars but the end is too rushed for my taste.

[Lauren Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute, but I think I still prefer pumpkin spice and pour-over more

[Katrina (Catching up on Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, short read about two undercover agents posing as a married couple. It is set in a small town with a big obsession with apple cider. The fake relationship trope adds fun tension, making it a sweet and entertaining quick read.

[Serena Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Voy a extrañar estar falsamente casada contigo en un pequeño pueblo con un suministro interminable de luces de hadas.'




•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.




Apple Cider & Subterfuge de Elise Kennedy serie Only One Cozy Bed Novellas libro 2

Argumento:

Alex y Brynn son agentes encubiertos en un pequeño y acogedor pueblo obsesionado con la sidra de manzana.

¿Su tapadera? Recién casados enamorados.

¿La única regla? Mantenga su relación estrictamente comercial y estrictamente falsa.

Alex ha sido torturado durmiendo junto a su compañera de trabajo, la agente especial Brynn Hannebaker, todas las noches durante 6 meses. Quiere desesperadamente romper todas las reglas y llevarla a un rincón oscuro de su casa.

Brynn tuvo suerte de conseguir al bombón de la oficina como su falso marido, pero con cada beso que Alex roba en público para vender su falso "matrimonio", sus defensas caen un poco más.

¿Podrán atrapar al jefe de la mafia que lava dinero y mantenerse alejados unos de otros? ¿O un apagón sorpresa será finalmente su única oportunidad de tomar lo que ambos quieren?



Mi humilde opinión:

Está historia corta fue muy dulce y no me refiero a la sidra en el festival de otoño en el pueblo!

Brynn y Alex eran una pareja increíble, amé su camaderia y momentos esposo/esposa falsa. Totalmente adorables con ese toque sexy y travieso que le sabe poner está autora a las parejas de la serie.

No hay muchas historias sobre matrimonio falso que me gusten pero esta me enganchó desde el comienzo. No hay mucho transfondo o profundo desarrollo cuando presenta a los protagonistas y la trama pero enseguida me logró meter en la historia y fue fácil de entender toda la situación. Para ser un relato corto estuvo muy bien

Además de la relación falsa, hubo peligro y acción con la mafia rusa ya que Alex y Brynn se enamoran mientras están en una misión encubierta.

Alex era un bombón de hombre, nuevo novio de libro en mí bolsillo ❤️ tenía las palabras más lindas y sentidas para Brynn, me encanta cuando ellos caen primero y anhelan como locos a la heroína. Y Brynn era la mejor, recibiría una bala por él y eso la hace una heroína fuerte y leal.

Me encantó el final! Los dos juntos para su primera Navidad. Me dejó con ganas de continuar leyendo más!

Por cierto, estoy de acuerdo con Brynn, las papas en sidra? Noooo, tienen que ser saladas y no dulces!

[Stephanie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing the first book in this short story series I rushed to get the next book. I can’t believe how much I loved this one, even more so than book one now 😂 Alex and Brynn are uncover FBI agents who are pretending to be a married couple. I absolutely loved their romance and the chemistry between them was sizzling, just like the saucy sexy scenes. I’m super excited for the third offering!

[Gizelle]

Didn’t love, didn’t hate. I think it’s gonna be forgettable. Unfortunately, I wish there was more of a fall feel to really drive that aspect home and have the characters have bigger personalities. Also, having them play up the whole FBI fake married couple being more comedic would have made it more fun.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute short story about 2 undercover agents. A little forced proximity and a darling town as the backdrop made this story a great option for running errands today.

Pumpkin Spice and pour overs was🙌🙌🙌.
This one 3.5 rounded up. 🌶.5/ spice.

[Sara Kleinschrodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undercover FBI agents, Alex and Brynn, have to pretend they are married for their job… but of course things aren’t cut and dry!! This was so sweet! It also had a nice added “thriller” aspect, to be honest! It was such a good story and I loved every minute!! Great dose of spice!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have been an outstanding book if it was longer with much more detail and a slow burn.
This had major potential and I was just starting to get a feel for the town and Brynn and Alex "Smith".

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m working through some Novellas to catch up with my end of year goal (that’s allowed right?)
A cute, fall themed, close proximity, forbidden romance. Don’t think too hard about it and it’s a perfectly enjoyable way to spend a an hour and a half

[Lynn Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟 sweet cute hot. Gimme more please! 🤲🏾