Lord and Lady Spy - Shana Galen

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Published September 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN:1402259077 (ISBN13: 9781402259074)

Lord Adrian and Lady Bridget Smythe have the picture perfect high society marriage. Little does the ton know that each is one of England's most preeminent spies- with their secret identities guarded even from each other. But what are secret agents to do when the spying game is over and they suddenly discover a whole new spark in each other?

  

Oh, wow, wow, WOW! 

I was pacing back and forth deciding whether to give this book 4, 4 1/2 or 5 stars. But, because I really enjoyed it 'till the end, I decided to give Lord and Lady Spy a lovely 5 stars! =)

Lord and Lady Spy is a story about 2 retired agents who don't want to retire at all! Agent Saint and Agent Wolf, both are capable agents of the Barbican Group (maybe its like English Secret Service?). Then, they must accept the fact when their leader told them to retire and back to their old life. The war with Napoleon is over, what should they do now? 

Well, agent Wolf is Adrian Galloway, Lord Smythe (ha ha ha :P) and agent Saint is his wife, Sophia Galloway, Lady Smythe. Imagine their surprise when they know their real identity, when both agents receive a private mission from the English Prime Minister. Adrian who is always away, and has been shut out from his wife's bedroom, would never guess this fiery and witty woman is called Saint, is his -nerd, not appalling, always using glasses- wife. Nor with Sophia who adored Agent Wolf, that in reality, is her irritated and always on the go husband. But, this mission needs both of them to investigate the prime minister's brother's murder. And if they succeed, the Prime Minister promises to let one agent to work again for Barbican Group.

Just one will receive the position, and who will it be? While Sophia and Adrian work together on this case, they find that their spouses are not what they seem to be. All the bitterness, sadness, and feeling as  strangers toward each other,  their distrust toward each other slowly starts to disappear with their effort to again recover their marriage. But,when their passions rise, they must remember, just one agent will win the position on Barbican Group.

Let's the best spy win!

Lord and Lady Spy is my first book by Shana Galen. I admit, when it comes to historical romance, I am always picky. I hate some aspects in HR which involve infidelity, abuse and forced seduction, that's why I choose any HR title carefully. Shana Galen is a new author for me, and when I see her newest release, Lord and Lady Spy, I was intrigued. Lord and Lady Spy has a beautiful cover with a vibrant pink color. But, the premise of this book which drew me to read it, and I'm glad to find this one was amazing.

This book indeed has a "Mr and Mrs Smith" vibe. From their noble title, Smythe (which in one scene in this book, an American woman, pronounce it Smith), they don't have a clue about each other's real identity, (and they're so surprised when knowing their butler know their life as spy too!),the action and the suspense too. But, actually this book is about second chances. Adrian and Sophia's marriage has been train wreck. They're not in love each other, nor do they want to be separated. Sophia's miscarriage made her so sad, she desperately wants her own child,  she failed  3 times. What makes her sadder, is the fact when she miscarried, Adrian was not there to support her. That's why its hard for Sophia to trust and love him, beside she still remembers her brother's horrible past, where he was betrayed by the woman he loved, and that woman is a double agent. Adrian, who realizes his mistakes, will try so hard to win her, to make their marriage whole again.

The action is good, its fast paced, and this book had so many sexual tension scenes. One scene I will never forget when they have foreplay in the middle of the day, near the window... How scandalized! (and their sex scene in the carriage is one of my favorite too ;))) But, what I love more is the interaction between Adrian and Sophia. Their method of work is so different! Sophia who always follow her instincts, believes her intuition, and has a way to make people talk to her, against Adrian, who is practical, makes a lot of planning, impatient, brute but has his own strength, which comes in handy when the situation is getting out of control. Its delightful to see them. From distrust to trust, from rival to partnership, from stranger to lover =)

For historical romance lovers who love action, romance, suspense which are all packaged in one book, I recommend to you to read Lord and Lady Spy! And I will be happy if Ms Galen will write more about Adrian and Sophia in the future. =)