Never Blow a Kiss by Lindsay Lovise
Secret Society of Governess Spies #1
Historical Romance
January 23, 2024- Forever
ARC

Review by Angela

I was pleasantly surprised by this debut. It’s not often a historical romance features not one but two blue collar, everyday protagonists. One is a woman on the run from her past, serving as a governess who also happens to be a spy and the other a soldier who turned his earnings into a fortune by investing in railroads, currently working for the Metropolitain Police.

Yes, I know–that seems like A LOT, but it really isn’t. This is a fast read. The chapters are short, and the pacing moves the story along rather quickly. Emily Leverton is introduced first, and she comes across as a no-nonsense woman who is making do by living under an assumed name and with fraudulent credentials. Her past is just that…her past. She is an average governess, working for impoverished families who aren’t going to ask too many questions. That turns out to be just what the mysterious leader of a group of governess spies needs.

Zachariah Denholm first sees her in London at a ball, skirting the edges of the room and cheekily winking at him when she sees him watching her. That stirs his attention, and his attraction never wanes from her from that point on. The romance between them is sweet, lighthearted, and playful. In fact, the first 75% or so of the book comes across that way, despite the mystery subplot that has Emily spying on her employers and Zach hunting the streets of London looking for a murderer nicknamed The Evangelist.

I really liked that Emily took control of her relationship with Zach, always conscious about her station in life and what would happen if anyone found out. She’s also honest with him about why she’s not exactly available for a long-term relationship with him. Zach is willing to accept pretty much anything from her, convinced he’s falling in love.

Then comes the last 25%, which is decidedly darker and for some reason the author threw some extra POVs. Emily’s traumatic past comes roaring back to present day, and she and Zach are put in a situation that they were trying to avoid. I will admit to wondering how this author would get Emily out of her “marriage to her dead husband” and give this couple an HEA–and was shocked at how she achieved it. I won’t go into specifics, but the last 20% or so is pretty wild.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading more from this author. Looking forward to the math whiz heroine who helped solve the murders by utilizing her skills and process of elimination.

Grade- B

Content notes- Heroine has sexual assault and domestic assault in her past.