I have mixed feelings on this book. It's well written and I think the spies plot line is great fun. Both main characters are unique and well written.

This is the end of a 3 book series so there were many times I lost the thread because there were too many people I didn't know or backstory I didn't know (which is my own fault for not realizing it isn't a standalone). I would recommend anyone reading this at minimum read the prequel novella, Spy Season, since it gives at least the main characters backstory.

My real problem is the very dubious and lack of consent throughout the book. I understand that both the BDSM elements, and the historical nature of the book paint consent differently, but it still exists (in both places - in real life and literary genres) and is trampled all over multiple times in this book (there is also my personal pet peeve of "I hate this treatment, but since this specific person is already doing it I somehow don't hate it anymore". Just for many reasons this is not ok). The most unforgivable to me is the final scene in which we have the point of view of someone who is actively not consenting and this is supposed to be anything other than SA/rape? At bare minimum I would argue for trigger warnings so readers know going into this, ideally it should be adjusted so that there is consent and checking in.

This one was just too daft for me. I think it might be part of a series also? My main feeling when reading was one of confusion. I think if BDSM but with corsets is your thing... then maybe give it a read?!

✨ARC review✨

A Season For Spies by Golden Angel
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I have never been a big historical romance book but this one surprised me! It was well written and surprisingly funny. You couldn’t help but root for Evie with everything she was up against no matter how many times she proved her self to be valuable.

Synopsis: She can hide from him no longer...

Perpetually vexed by his misbehaving niece, the Marquess of Camden and Spymaster to the Crown is putting his foot down once and for all. Evie would prefer to continue the years-long search for the traitor in their midst, but following the available clues leads her to concede that a Season by her uncle's side might bring her ever closer to her ultimate goal. As the traitor hides among Society, Evie will reluctantly assume her ultimate role as a Lady of the Ton.

After much confusion and frustration, Captain Anthony Browne finally learns the identity of the mysterious tart who saved his life in a French brothel four years ago. But the last place he expected to find the lovely lightskirt with whom he shared a single night of pleasure is at the Marquess of Camden's side, where she is announced as the Spymaster's niece.

Thank you @netgalley for the opportunity 📖

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#ASeasonForSpiesdeceptionanddisciplinegoldenangelromancehistoricalromancespankingromance

This was my first Golden Angel book, and I found it fairly enjoyable. I have no quibbles with the steamy sex scenes or the BDSM themes throughout the book, but this is definitely not a standalone story. Many elements of the book were not explained, with Ms. Angel seeming to expect all readers to be familiar with the earlier works in the series. This can be somewhat excused given that the intrigue seems to have been advanced in each book in the series, but it was more than a little confusing to someone unfamiliar with the backstories.

The main characters in this book, Evie and Anthony are entertaining. They have amazing sexual tension and it was fun to watch them compete to push each other's buttons as well as solve the intrigue. Evie's skills allow for some amusing scenes, and the obvious closeness of the Camden family is lovely. If I had read the other books first, I think this one would have been much more enjoyable. I also didn't find the description of the story accurate, as it seemed to imply that Anthony decides to marry Evie immediately upon discovering her true identity. This was not the case. Note that I read an ARC (thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing it), so this may end up being corrected in final publication.

Overall, a very steamy story of two very strong personalities learning to live with and love the other. Spanking plays a large role in this story, so if that is not your thing, this book is definitely not for you. 3.5 stars. The opinions herein are my own.