Amanda Thai’s Reviews > Love, Lies and Spies > Status Update

The story is set in the Regency era in an aim to emulate Jane Austen but LLS completely lacks the social depth and emotional range of Austen. The "lies" and "spies" were very historical and though I liked the twist about the Pyebalds, I thought the overall mysteries very droll. A superficial, tepid Regency romance that fails to deliver on all aspects the title promises.

For a book where the love story is central, it was pretty tepid. Spencer and Juliana has some cute banter together but ultimately lacked chemistry or compatibility. I did like the parallels from start to finish, but their similar thoughts began to make the chapters repetitive. But, and here's the kicker, they couldn't stand independently as solid characters.

This political spy talk is dry as dust. Definitely a historical spy account, not an action packed sci fi one.

I agree with my friend, Meg, on this one: it's really lacking the 'lies' and the 'spies' it promises in the title.

So far: lacking. I'm hoping something more exciting will occur soon. It's probably not ideal that I'm reading this at the same time as the Finishing School audiobooks, which make all 19th century lady spy novels pale in comparison.

I just checked the back of the book: this is set in the the Regency era, whereas I originally thought it Victorian.

Actually starting it today after I got too caught up in video games yesterday haha.