Second in Rebecca Crowley’s London Phoenix series, Undercover is the story of Asher Brody, a brilliant and awarded foreign correspondent who has returned to London to help his two brothers establish financial security for the 200 year-old Phoenix newspaper that they have bought. As the series focuses on each of the three brothers it is better to read it as a series but you’ll enjoy this story even if you haven’t read book one.
This is a sexy novel with much of the romance demonstrated through the physical act of making love. It’s pretty graphic and for me perhaps a bit too much detail about who was doing what to whom. I liked both Asher and his heroine Ada Hunter, a documentary film maker and I chuckled at how their relationship began—think the school pantomime kissing scene in Love Actually but with far more on display. I liked the secondary thread, which involved uncovering underhand dealings involving a peer of the realm who was angling to head up the British National Health Service. The plot flowed quickly and seamlessly and despite the implausibility of some aspects of the story it was all possible. I enjoyed this one.

An interesting read with a thread of humor, a good dose of steamy scenes and sizzling chemistry between the main characters.

After Ada and Asher meet at an awards ceremony the journalist world believe they are a couple but really they are going both helping each other achieve a goal. Adas after money to get to Somalia for work and Ashers hoping to prove to his brothers he can help bring something to the table for their company.
I liked the concept of the book but i just felt like something was missing. It was a nice quick easy read but more could have been made of the story as for me as soon as it started it was over. The romance element came out of nowhere with no real build up. For me it felt like an average read

UNDERCOVER is, at times, an intense story full of sizzle and complications. At other times, it’s a story of two people finding out who they really are and what they want for their future both independently and, perhaps, together.

Asher and Ada have explosive chemistry but is that alone enough to make their pretend relationship become one that will last a lifetime.

Ada’s personality is that of a strong, and strong-willed woman who has been hurt before yet has her eyes on a goal and will not be stopped by anyone. Asher is coming down from the tension, the adrenaline of his former job and settling into another type of journalism as he works with his brothers on their newspaper. He’s looking to settle, she’s not the settling type anymore. But the attraction, the sizzle, and the emotions between them show that they would be perfect together – they each have to be willing to give a bit and take a risk on trust.

I enjoyed the second story in the London Phoenix series. And like the first story, it’s good, I’m just not connecting with the characters as I’d like to but it is still a good story that I would recommend to any Romance reader – and let you make up your own mind.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This is the second book in the London Phoenix series and I enjoyed it much more than the first book. I found the conflict more believable and really liked both MCs.

It starts pretty similarly to book 1 but this time the accidental hook-up was interrupted before it actually happened and led to some fake dating and surprise, surprise, love.

There is an element of forced proximity in the romance and it worked really well for me. I liked how the MCs worked to get their goals and in the process helped each other.

Ada was pretty certain who she was, she had reasons not to want a relationship and to focus on her career at that time. Asher seemed to be at a different stage in his life, he wanted stability and permanence after years being a reporter in the field and after a painful break up with his ex.

There was a reversal of the traditional roles here - the woman was confident and self-assured and didn't want a relationship; the man was having his doubts about who he was and what he wanted (a serious committed relationship, being settled in one place). He had to repeatedly remind himself that it was a fake relationship and they had a specific goal in mind, there was no room for feelings.

The story reached a point where I knew one of them had to make a compromise and I wasn't sure who it would be and honestly, I didn't know whom I was rooting for to do it. I'm very happy with the ending where they found the right balance for things between them to work out in the long term.

I liked the relationship between the three brothers, how they worked together in the newspaper and all the glimpses we got of them trying to be closer to each other, sticking together after the death of their mother, continuing some family traditions and establishing new ones of their own.

Undercover has such a ridiculous far-fetched meeting of the main characters, at least for sober characters, that I couldn’t believe that I still read the novel. This must be a testament to the author Rebecca Crowley for being able to write a compelling story. While there are also strong ties to the first book in the series it is still a stand-alone book.

I don’t want to give anything away about that rewards gala except I still don’t believe that sober people would behave in such a fashion as Asher and Ada did. From there the story takes a more serious side as Ada is trying to raise money for a noble cause. Asher is dealing with the finding his place in the now family newspaper. A case of fake relationship that is convenient for both their goals, it changes into some more. Hot romance that focuses on the romance.

Undercover by Rebecca Crowley
The assignment has a deadline, but does their relationship?
After almost ten years dodging bullets as a foreign correspondent, Asher Brody is struggling to find his place back in the U.K. – and in his family-run newspaper, the London Phoenix. He’s intent on proving he’s as committed as his brothers, even if it means putting on a suit and posh accent to investigate a high-ranking executive at an upscale retreat.
Ada Hunter wasted years trailing her ex-boyfriend, only for him to turn his back when her documentary career finally took off. Now she’s beating her own path, and it’s taking her all over the world. To secure funding for her next project, she takes a risky job with the Phoenix posing as broody-sexy Asher’s fake girlfriend – too good to be true.
They plan to spend a few days pretending to be a couple at a country estate before going their separate ways. But when bad weather strands them in the countryside, temptation develops into something more and the line between fantasy and reality becomes dangerously blurred.
this is Ada Hunter and Asher Brody's story.
The heavy door clanked open and Ada pushed outside into the cold night, sucking in a lungful of fresh air. The chilly November mist dampened her bare shoulders and threatened the DIY chignon it had taken her thirty-five minutes and several YouTube videos to perfect, but the brief escape from the crowded ballroom was worth it.
A black cab slowed as it passed, and for a second she was tempted. She thought bagging an invite to the UK’s most prestigious journalism awards ceremony would mean a fun-filled evening of black-tie glamour, harmless flirting, and maybe even a lead on a source to raise the final funds she needed for her trip.
Instead she’d been placed on a table with a random assortment of freelancers. As soon as they realised there were no acquiring editors in their midst the conversation died out, and everyone focused on tapping urgently at their phones or draining glasses of free booze.
“Ada Hunter.” She extended her hand.
He ignored it and leaned in to kiss her cheek. The gentle brush of lips was accompanied by his scent, giving Ada the impression of lavender, of water lapping at the hull of a wooden boat, of a warm, golden sunrise signaling the exhilarating beginning of a longed-for journey. She held his lapel to keep him close, breathing deeply.
“Pleasure to meet you, Ada. I’m Asher Brody.”
Undercover by Rebecca Crowley is a 3 star book.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Rebecca's Books with Tule:
Insider
London Phoenix
Undercover
London Phoenix

Ada pushed the heavy door open to get a brief escape from the crowded ballroom. She had begged an invite to the UK’s most prestigious journalism awards ceremony. She thought it would be a fun filled evening. Nope. She had been placed at a random table of freelancers. Typical London Journalist crowd. If they weren’t tweeting, they were drinking. She heard a voice asked if she needed a light? He offered her a cigarette . She said she didn’t smoke and he said neither did he. Ada introduced herself and he said he was Asher Brody. Ada than realized she had met his brother Oren as her old flatmate was his fiance. She remembered what Grace had said about her fiance’s younger brother - foreign correspondent, worked in the Middle east. She remembered the brother had bought the Phoenix to save it from closure. Than it was announced for everyone to take their seats the ceremony was to begin. Than Asher said the door is locked as they tried to go back in. He got a different door opened and once inside they weren’t sure where they were. Ada thought Asher was six feet of temptation. What she would do for something simple and string free with someone like him. She resolved to find him after the ceremony, loosen him up, gauge his willingness for what she had in mind. If they ever got to the ceremony. He thought they were behind the stage. He said he didn’t want to lose her back here. He took her hand and heat prickled up her arm at his touch. Ada couldn’t remember the last time she had such an intense, instant attraction to someone - or such a unique opportunity to take advantage of it. Once was all she wanted. All she ever allowed herself these days. She spent too many years shackled to an ex who’d never really cared about her. Serving a man’s ego was her past. Brief, hot, preferably anonymous encounters were her now. But Ada and Asher were caught fooling around when the curtain opened. Than Asher said he was all Ada’s. Ada was technically self- employed and scraped together funding for her documentaries as and when she could get it. If being outed as Asher Brady’s girl didn’t get her the interest she needed, nothing would. Specifically the kind of next-big-thing hype she could convert into hard, cold cash. She needed to be in Somalia and has a deadline to get there.
I had mixed feelings on this book. I didn’t like Asher was forced to go along with Ada by his brothers, deciding he needed to step up . Ada fought anyway she could to get what she wanted sometimes I didn’t like her ways. This tended to drag for me. I guess I just didn’t like all the deceit . yet Asher/Ada did have hot hot chemistry. I felt like something was missing from the story. So as you can see i had mixed feelings.

Ok

Quick, steamy read with good characters and some humor but felt like it was missing that spark.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

This book was super steamy which I love and a very quick easy read but for me steam isn’t everything the book needs to have a great story line and this one just kind of fell flat for me. It felt rushed to me and I wish more would’ve happened with their “undercover” work but it just kind of all got wrapped up perfectly with no angst or suspense. Which I guess some people like but it just left me wanting more from it.

Once again Rebecca Crowley wastes no time in showing us the sizzling chemistry and potential in the second in her London Phoenix series as foreign correspondent, Asher and documentary maker, Ada are literally caught with their pants down at an industry awards ceremony.

“No strings, no drama, no expectations. Are you in or out?”

I really enjoyed this couple together, they’re sexy delivering just the right amount of push/pull, are confident yet have their flaws and, as was the case with the first book, Insider , we have a strong, stubborn, career driven lady paired with a man comfortable enough to hand over control when the opportunity arises.

“...she would never put herself second again, never let another man’s dreams take priority over her own, and never be with someone who couldn’t see past his own ambition to appreciate what a knockout catch she was.”

If a quick, steamy, satisfying read is what you’re after, Undercover fits the bill nicely and with Ebon the only single brother standing, I’m looking forward to seeing how his story plays out.

This book started out with a bang. Ada Hunter and Asher Brody get caught in a compromising situation and end up having to pretend they are dating or else everyone will know they just wanted a quickie behind the curtains at UK’s Journalists’ Association Awards. Their pretend dating comes in handy when Asher goes undercover during a hunting trip where he plans to get an exclusive scoop for the Phoenix, a newspaper him and his brothers own. During the weekend, things really heat up between Asher and Ada, but they both have different goals for the futures and they know what happens is only temporary. Or, is it?

The differences between Asher and Ada had me flustered a few times while reading this book. There was a lot of tension between them and I kept wanting to tell them to give in a little bit. They were both a bit stubborn, especially Ada, who kept thinking if she got in a relationship, she would end up unhappy like her parents. But those parts made for good reading and really built the story up to make their happily ever after even better. This is the second book in a series, but I feel it can totally be read as a stand-alone.

Whilst this was An overall enjoyable read with lots of chemistry and action, I would have liked Asher a bit more of he was less hesitant, loved Ada, she’s strong willed and determined and willing to fight for what she wants. My first read from this author, and despite the 3 star review, I am keen to try another title from this author as her writing style and storyline are right up my alley!

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thrilling romance with plenty of sexy moments. Ada is attending an award ceremony in the hopes of fundraising for her documentary. She meets Asher, an award winning journalist . one thing leads to another and they are forced to pretend to be together. I admired Ada's determination to make her dreams come true but I felt she aggressively pursued Asher who wasn't ready to risk it all for her. Nursing a broken heart, Asher sought to commit to a relationship but held too many reservations with Ada. Enjoyed this quick romance but felt we could have had a stronger hero and a deeper connection.

After Ada and Asher meet at an awards ceremony the journalist world believe they are a couple but really they are going both helping each other achieve a goal. Adas after money to get to Somalia for work and Ashers hoping to prove to his brothers he can help bring something to the table for their company.
I liked the concept of the book but i just felt like something was missing. It was a nice quick easy read but more could have been made of the story as for me as soon as it started it was over. The romance element came out of nowhere with no real build up. For me it felt like an average read

Enjoyable read. Well written. Great character development. Sexy romance!

Thanks Tule Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of Undercover.

Rebecca Crowley is a new author to me and thought this ebook a great find on NetGalley. I enjoyed learning about the characters and watching their HEA come together. Though this is #2 in a series, it was fine as a standalone.

The story starts out interesting enough soon romance aka sexy aka steamy time takes over the story to the point readers might even get lost in the reason Asher and Ada are together. Readers will get reminded many times over how beautiful Ada is to the point of an eye roll.

The story plays out like all romance novels that focuses on the sexual relationship only Ada plays more of the male role and Asher plays the more typical female role. (Just using it as a generalization and not what I think.)

The story falls flat many times as the romance seems to be the focal point of the story. As a readers I perfer to have more of a blend between story and romance. Undercover is 90% sex, thinking of sex and wanting sex. While 10% of the story is Asher finding his path in life.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Rebecca Crowley Undercover.

I thought that this story has a solid storyline and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read!

I thought that the story was very well written and the story flowed very well, it was easy to follow and I flew through the pages.

The author has created a set of good, strong characters that were well developed and the detail was very good.

It is 4 stars from me for this one, highly recommended!

I received an advanced reader's copy of Undercover (London Phoenix #2) by Rebecca Crowley from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had read another book by Rebecca Crowley before and enjoyed it so I did have high hopes for Undercover and, happily, was NOT disappointed!

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and I found it to be well written. The primary characters' romantic start was both meet-cute and steamy from the beginning and Undercover just got warmer from there. I enjoyed the well-crafted characters and the pacing of the novel. The plot moved along steadily and kept me engrossed from start to finish.

All in all, a good read!