Love, Lies, and Spies by Cindy Anstey

Title: Love, Lies, and Spies
Author: Cindy Anstey
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Release Date: April 19th 2016

Summary from Goodreads:

Juliana Telford is not your average nineteenth-century young lady. She’s much more interested in researching ladybugs than marriage, fashionable dresses, or dances. So when her father sends her to London for a season, she’s determined not to form any attachments. Instead, she plans to secretly publish their research.

Spencer Northam is not the average young gentleman of leisure he appears. He is actually a spy for the War Office, and is more focused on acing his first mission than meeting eligible ladies. Fortunately, Juliana feels the same, and they agree to pretend to fall for each other. Spencer can finally focus, until he is tasked with observing Juliana’s traveling companions . . . and Juliana herself.

Review

Love, Lies, and Spies was a fun nineteenth-century based loved story full of spying, secret missions, and ladybugs!  The writing style and dialogue fits the time period of the book which in turn had me rereading sentence every now and then. My only other reservation was the amount of characters. There are lots of characters and the author switches between using first names and last names that can get confusing if you are not great with names.   The plot started off a tad slow with quite a lot of build up but once the romance and courting season started I was hooked.

Juliana Telford is full of sassy comments, witty dialogue, and a mind of her one that goes against most of the ladies of her time.  She is into science and wants to get her natural science work published.  This strong female lead was well paired with Mr. Northam, who is a strong minded, smart fellow.  The connection and dynamic between the two characters is truly what makes the story. The spying aspects are a nice addition and felt like a welcomed secondary plot but never overtook the romance.

Love, Lies, and Spies was an enjoyable standalone that I would recommend if you are in the mood for old-fashioned English banter and a cute love story!