Emily Waters became an auto read for me after 2022's Honey in the Marrow. With Two is a Pattern, she once again impresses me with her creativity and character development.
Annie is a former CIA operative who is ready to move on from her old life but her former boss doesn't want to let her go. She moves to Los Angeles to get another master's degree. Her new landlady, Helen, is a professor with her own secrets. Their relationship develops slowly and gives Annie the opportunity to let go of a lot of guilt she carries with her from a past experience.
The book takes place in the 90's and I enjoyed going back in time. This book was enthralling and I can't wait for what Emily brings us next. She has such a unique style creates such memorable characters.

An ARC was received from Ylva Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

I absolutely adored Emily Waters' debut, Honey in the Marrow mainly due to the way she uses her characters to enhance her storytelling and Two is a Pattern is very similar in that way. I loved this book and it really came down to the characters.

Two is a Pattern is set against the nostalgic backdrop of the '90s and weaves a complex tale of love, self-discovery, and the shadows of the past. Waters masterfully crafts a world where the romance, though not the sole focus, resonates deeply, thanks to its richly drawn characters and the palpable chemistry among them.

Annie, our protagonist, is a study in contradictions - brilliant, chaotic yet undeniably relatable. Her journey from a CIA operative to general normalcy, all while navigating the complexities of love and duty, is compelling. I loved the way the author tells us her backstory and paints a picture of why she is the way she is. Helen, though not our main focus, steals scenes with her depth and vulnerability. Waters' ability to create such vivid, flawed, and lovable characters is where the novel truly shines.

Two is a Pattern invites readers into a meticulously crafted world where every detail, from the political intrigue of the '90s to the personal struggles of its characters, is woven together with a thoughtful consideration of what it means to find one's place in the world. This isn't just a book; it's an experience - one that ends on a note of hopeful ambiguity, promising more adventures to come. A highly recommended read for anyone who cherishes depth, diversity, and a dash of nostalgia in their storytelling.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Ylva Publishing for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Annie works for the CIA… but she’s had enough and wants to do something different. Signing up for a Masters degree in Criminology takes her well out of her comfort zone. Helen is a part time Professor at the university Annie attends and she has a room to rent. So far, so predictable. But Ms Waters puts in some nice twists, some genuine angst, and excellent writing.

The book isn’t perfect as I felt on several occasions that the timeline got a bit lost and at the end we jump years and I didn’t buy the outcome. No spoilers here but it just didn’t gel with the strong women they both had been in the earlier, excellent, parts of the book. I liked a lot about this plot. Especially the unusual occupations and living arrangements. Those parts felt ‘real’ and were well developed.

I will be looking out for other books by this author as this was a pleasant read.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

A gorgeous example of sapphic fiction, set primarily at a time when this really was a big deal - it's wonderfully written with complex characters, interesting plot points, deceit, family struggles, heartache and so much more. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would love to read more from this author.

Emily Waters is phenomenal!

After reading her first novel Honey In The Marrow I knew I would happily dive into anything else she writes.

And Two Is A Pattern did not disappoint.

It was very reminiscent of the Tv series Alias with a sapphic twist.

Can’t recommend this one enough.

Thank you to Ylva and NetGalley for this digital arc.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This was such a great combination of two of my favorite genres -- spy/mystery thrillers and queer romance. I liked that it was set in the 90s, and I also appreciated the epilogue for not leaving us hanging. If you're into either of those genres, highly recommend!

I was pretty disappointed with how this very interesting character and story was handled! I thought Annie’s background was intriguing, the quickly built romance felt enticing and couldn’t put the book down the first 60pages! Then the rest of the book just felt like I was missing pieces, there were a ton of time skips and suddenly we actually skipped a decade and ta-da THEE END! The beginning had such a slow calm vibe about her Journey to California, and by the time you hit the middle of the book it’s like you’re flying through the scenes and just getting to a conclusion as soon as possible. Pretty bummed, I thought the author did an awesome job writing these characters (even the shitty people in this book were easy to imagine as real) but didn’t have enough time to let the story grow more. I don’t think I’d read this book ever again, a shame really cause a badass like our main character Annie is usually always a joy for me to read

This uses the early 90s perfectly to tell a romantic suspense story. The characters.
Had a great overall field to them and they worked in the 90s. I was engaged with trying to figure out what was going on and love the characters in the story. Emily waters has a great writing style for this genre and I enjoyed what I read. It left me wanting to read more from emily waters as I really enjoyed the overall feel.

Annie Weaver is snagged after college to work for the CIA. Her skills in languages and and later interrogation were much needed during the time of perestroika in the 1990’s Soviet Union. Annie eventually burns out of the CIA and attempts to live a normal life but her handler has other ideas. There are still jobs to be done.

Two is a Pattern is the beginning of a love story that is interrupted by intense action, intrigue, spy stuff and lots and lots of secrets. Waters’ writing is captivating. There is a lushness to her language that attracts me. Waters’ story and character building is right on point. She creates the characters we remember and love.

If you are a fan of good writing then make sure to add this novel to your list.

I received an advance review copy from Ylva Publishing through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily

I absolutely loved the premise of this book but personally couldn't gel with the writing style but not sure if that's because I was in a bit of a slump so I'll give this one another chance at some point

A fun read with some thoroughly surprising twists and turns—the 1990s setting was an excellent strategic choice (I am unsure if the premise would translate well to a 2020+ era with personal, portable devices!).
Enjoyable relationship build-up; without giving the ending away, I really appreciated Waters' approach to the final few pages. An enormously satisfying read.

With Emily Waters’ sophomore release, Two is a Pattern, she has most definitely moved to the top of my auto-buy list.

I don’t want to give anything away so I’ll just say read the blurb if you haven’t. This isn’t a traditional romance where the romance is front and center. However, I absolutely adore what is there. Helen has my whole heart and I for sure want more of her in a follow up to this. Also, this is set in the 90’s and I’m just old enough that is made me a little nostalgic a few times.

What I love about Waters’ writing is that she draws me in and makes love the characters. She has a talent for not only what she says, but also for what she doesn’t say. She doesn’t follow the traditional formula, which is a nice break.

I know I’ve mentioned Helen, but she isn’t the main character. Annie, whose point of view this is from, is the star. Waters makes her feel real and you can’t help but to root for her. She’s messy and chaotic but in the best way. She’s brilliant and just fantastic but doesn’t seem to know it. She’s trying to navigate a life she didn’t exactly ask for and is doing the best she can.

So, I’m going to go ahead and a give spoiler. There isn’t a happy ending here, it’s more of a hopeful one if you squint and tilt your head sideways and read between the lines. This is the reason for me wanting a follow up. I’m gonna need that second chance romance so Helen can have her well-deserved happy ending, Annie too, I guess. The reason I'm mentioning it is that I know it can irritate people when it doesn't have a well defined happily ever after.

Highly recommended from me.

I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The idea of this book is fun enough, but I struggled with reading. It could have done with much tighter editing. It kind of made it unpleasant to read at times.

Other than that the book is ok, will not be my favourite.

Great stories appeal to readers’ deepest emotions. They surprise them and leave an impression. Furthermore, they contain characters that readers not only care about, but understand. That’s something Emily Waters grasps when crafting her stories. It’s why her debut novel received notice (and a Golden Crown Literary Society Award) and why her sophomore novel, Two is a Pattern, stands out.

Waters gets right to it and doesn’t waste any time hooking readers. It’s something she does in Honey in the Marrow and again in Two is a Pattern. She’s a stage setter, and it works, especially for Two is a Pattern. Readers are quickly drawn into the narrative and their curiosity is stirred. With mentions of former CIA bosses and paranoid feelings of being watched, they immediately want to know more about Annie Weaver.

Readers readily connect with the character of Annie, and the reason is this: Waters lets readers witness her defining moment as a CIA agent early on in the storyline. She does not drag this out and let readers hang in the wind with wild guesses as to what motivates Annie. These scenes are powerful, shedding a light onto Annie’s vulnerabilities. Through this, readers begin to understand her deepest and darkest fears. In turn, her choices make sense to them, and this enacts an empathy that’s needed for the story to matter.

Helen, Annie’s landlord and lover, is marvelous in this story. Her tender affection for Annie brings out a sweetness that’s as alluring as it is captivating. Their relationship, though a bit unique, provides the storytelling with layers and depth. It exposes vulnerabilities that are heart tugging, making Two is a Pattern an emotional read at times. Readers appreciate Helen for not only who she is to Annie, but what she means to the narrative.

Final remarks…

Waters’ Annie is a character like no other; she’s a bit of an unexpected hero, and readers will be hard pressed to resist her. She battles the odds with her back pressed up against a wall, facing adversity with admirable bravery. Her love for Helen is so noble and unselfish, it’s almost heartbreaking. It stirs readers, leaving them wanting more. And if my guess is correct, readers will get more. The final chapter reads like a cliffhanger, so one can assume there will be a sequel. (If there isn’t: 😕)

Strengths…

Well-written
Gripping narrative
Likable, captivating characters
Leaves readers wanting more
4.5 stars

Wow! I absolutely loved this book! I loved the descriptive language and the plot! The characters were so much fun to get to know! I definitely recommend this book!

This is my first book from Emily Waters but definitly not my Last, i got this as an ARC in Exchange for an honest review and im super exited to do this. The Cover was what catched my attention, i loved it a lot which is not a given in les fiction. The book catched me right away, it is very well written. I liked that its set back in the 90s i had so many mometents where i had to laught and remember oh well yesss it was like this back in the days. We follow the story of Annie and Helen who start out as landlord and person who rents a room or Professor and student at the same university to friends to more.

I loved the storyline it was super interesting and i Sure realized i like this kind of story. I fell in love with both character who are portraid very good. I couldnt put away this book and read it within a day with some breaks inbetween. I was a Bit sad when IT ended, i wished there was an epiloge.

Despite what most people seem to think, Annie Weaver isn’t just a girl. Until very recently, she was a CIA agent, but after an operation in Eastern Europe went wrong, she quit and is about to go back to studying in Los Angeles. Apparently though, the CIA isn’t happy with the breakup and Annie gets caught in a deal she can’t decline. This deal, however, leads her to find a different place to live, bringing her to one of the teachers’ garage apartment.

Set in 1992, Two Is a Pattern, an adaptation of Waters’ fanfic Your Heart Like A Dam When It Breaks, is a roller coaster of a story, both for the characters and the reader. When a book belongs on my mental best-books-of-all-times shelf, I rarely read the synopsis of subsequent books by the same author. I, therefore, didn’t have a clue what the story was going to be beyond the author’s promotional graphic on Instagram. From the cover, I expected it to be different from Honey in the Marrow, which it is, but it didn’t go in the direction I expected. If you think a pretty cover with palm trees means romcom, you’re wrong. It’s Emily Waters after all, and while this story is not as heavy with grief as Honey in the Marrow, it’s not terribly fluffy either. It’s not all darkness and despair—though there’s definitely that as well. There are quite a few lighter moments, and some very sweet yet hot scenes between Annie and Helen. I loved the romance arc and every interaction between the two MCs. Both Annie and Helen are a tad judgy at times, but maybe that comes with the territory.

The spy arc, however, I found most frustrating. I loved the idea but I wish Annie had more agency, a lot happens to her, for reasons that are explained and can make sense, but it could have been balanced with a few scenes about her work, moments when she actually rocks at what she does. And while I like the very end of the book, I would have happily taken 20 or 50 more pages of the events leading to it. That last twist really feels rushed, to the point that it could, in itself, be the premise of another book. I even wondered near the end whether the author was setting us up for a sequel. Actually, I wouldn’t say no to another book that would look into the way Annie and Helen’s relationship would develop after the events of this book, how they’d overcome the pain and hurt and (at least in Annie’s case) PTSD, and where their careers would take them. 3.5⭐️

I enjoyed reading this book and I definitely think it deserves more attention. It's a great book with an interesting, original plot (spies!!) and it's set in the 90s, which was nice for a change.

I think that Annie's character was incredibly well written. Her backstory was interesting to me and made me want to know more about her. Although I liked the romance between her and Helen, it felt too distracting and took up space for the main plot. Their romance was a bit slow and definitely got more interesting when they admitted their feelings to each other. I also liked how Annie grew closer with Helen's children and really formed a connection with them.

I kind of lost interest in the book around 60% and I found the ending a bit rushed and messy. Overall it was alright, but it's definitely worth a try!

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have received an ARC from NetGalley.

I am in two minds while writing this review. On the one side, I kind of liked the book. It brought me to some nostalgic era when I was a kid and had a tentative understanding of pager and how to work through it. But, on the other side, it made me wary of the details or kind of details presented in the book about the intelligence agency.

The plot of the book was through Annie's POV. She suffered from trauma during her last mission. Due to that she resigned from her post in the CIA and moved back to her parent's house in Toldeo. However, spending some time in her parents' home, she applied for further study at UCLA in criminology. On the first day of her term, she finds herself face-to-face with her past and story begins.

The story is compelling. Some dialogues here and there seemed flat given Annie's characterization in the story and the way she was delivering it. It made me think no way she would say this. Na-aahh. Meanwhile, I liked Helen. Her character seemed much more contextual and real than Annie's. But, Annie was a spy so if she didn't seem real then she must have portrayed her role efficiently, right? Moreover, I couldn't understand Annie's parents. It didn't seem authentic to me. Her mother's response to her job made me cringe. Why her mother would want Annie to reconnect with her past and feel comforted. Though, it is bizarre how human mind works, it can be acceptable one or more level. I talked myself out of it by thinking of Annie's efficient lying, etc. But, still.

Anyway, small flaws in the dialogue delivery, the story is good. It is worth reading. I won't say no to the sequel.

if i could rate it for and a half stars, know i would!

i loved loved loved the writing style in this book. it’s cool and sleek and creates such vivid imagery. there is so much content, in just over 200 pages, that i never found myself bored. annie was a fantastic main character, she was clever (and she knows it), messy and funny. unexpectedly, one of the dynamics i liked reading about most was that of annie and helen’s children — the way they all begrudgingly tolerated each other to ending up caring for each other as a family unit. it was sweet.

i don’t usually read spy type thrillers, but definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys crime stories with accompanying romance.