If I Told You, I'd Have to Kill You by Mae Marvel
I found out before reading that Mae Marvel is a pen name for Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare. I recently read their book “Big Name Fan” so I was surprised to see this book coming out so near to that one! I will say I wasn’t that enamored with “Big Name Fan” so when I found out this book has the same writers, I went into it with lowered expectations. That being said, this book was such a delightful surprise!
The romance and chemistry between Yardley and KC is delicious and I was rooting so hard for them. Usually, romance books have two characters meet and fall in love throughout the book. But in this one they are already in love, just having issues, and have recently broken up. Working their issues out meant that instead of realizing their feelings for the first time they fall deeper and deeper in love. I enjoyed watching their beautiful connection grow and strengthen. I love that this book didn’t have the typical third-act breakup that other romance novels have. Plus, the book takes a typical spy premise (along the lines of Mr. And Mrs. Smith) and makes it queer. The two of them being in the same field and not knowing it is such a fun way for us to meet the characters. The build-up and payoff of the heist are entertaining and pulled me in! I said up until 4am to finish reading because I needed to know what happened.
If you already like Ruthie Knox or Annie Mare you will enjoy this! If you were skeptical about their work before, give this a chance! If you like romance, especially with the extra flair of espionage, this is a great read!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital ARC!
POV: third person, past tense, two POVs