I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Simon has served Queen Elizabeth faithfully for many years but now he is ready to retire back to his manor. However, Elizabeth wants one more assignment out of him, to find out if Mary of Scotland and Philip of Spain are conspiring.
Aimee wants to marry the love of her life, Pierre, but her aunt Catherine wants her to spy on Mary before she will consent to the marriage. Aimee is no spy and instead finds herself married to an Englishman.
Simon and Aimee have found themselves pawns in a larger game but their hearts won't be controlled.

He'd been sent to Spain and ended up in Scotland, married to a French woman.

With a stunningly gorgeous cover, Wed to a Spy is book one in All the Queen's Spies series. We are introduced to Simon, Will, and Tristan as Elizabeth of England sends them off to gather information about Mary of Scotland. This first book focuses on Simon and even though he is sent to Spain, through what seemed an unnecessarily tangled way, he winds up in Scotland and Mary's court. Simon seems nice with his desire to get to know his younger sister and retire to home. He's twenty-five and claims to be world weary from working for Elizabeth but we don't get any solid information or stories of his background for us, as the reader, to really sympathize for him.

Our heroine, who for most of the book I assumed was sixteen or seventeen, is twenty-one and a very immature one at that. The vast majority of the story she languishes for her lost love Pierre, which we see through very southern belle hand on forehead and clutched to chest letters written by her. I just could not connect with this heroine, she wasn't given much substance. She mopes about a lot about her circumstances and lacks the backbone I personally like seeing in my heroines. I felt the longing for Pierre went on for far too long, especially when we never get to meet the guy and then she decides being turned on by Simon disrobing means she is in love with him; sex with Simon seemed to cure her longing for Pierre.

As I mentioned, Elizabeth and Mary make appearances in this story, along with other real historical figures and the murder of Mary's private secretary Rizzio, plays a main part. Even though this was set during a tense political time, I felt like the story was slow moving. The suspense of the time is touched on but more of a little sprinkling than intricate weaving and our couple lacked the chemistry and emotional relationship that keeps me locked into stories. Having Aimee pining for Pierre didn't so much as create angst but acted more as a wall between the romance and Simon and Aimee. The latter second half felt like sex scenes suddenly thrown in for stimulation but I found them lacking because of the dearth of emotion. This story kind of boiled down to people in fancy clothes banging for me, which for the less historically inclined, may just hit the spot.
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Courtly intrigue. Serving at the Queen's pleasure!

When I started this book I thought Ho Hum! another Elizabethan spy novel, albeit by Sharon Cullen. But no! This had it all! Treachery on all sides with intrigue and treason emerging from the French, Spanish, English and Scottish courts.
Aimee de Verris was sent to Scotland by her aunt Catherine de Medici to spy on Queen Mary. The carrot was that Aimee would be allowed to return to France and take up with her true love. Aimee is effectively banished to a place where she's never warm and for a task she has absolutely no trading for.
Simon Marcheford was sent by Queen Elizabeth to spy on Mary and her court. He wanted to retire to his lands with his sister and live peacefully. But when a monarch such as Elizabeth makes a request there is only one answer. Yes!
Out of nowhere Simon and Aimee are ordered by Queen Mary to marry. This story of how the two connect, if nothing else, shows how in these times, all are at the mercy of ruling monarchs.
When Mary's advisor is murdered right before their eyes, Aimee and Simon find themselves running from the powerful perpetrators, and later running from Mary's wrath against all present at that fateful hour. Their only hope is Elizabeth, but how welcoming will she be?
A fast paced, absorbing and very enjoyable read.

A NetGalley ARC ( )

After having recently finished my last of my fix for the television show, Reign; I was looking forward to checking this book out. It was like revisiting old friends with Queen Mary and Elizabeth, as well as Catherine De Medici.

Yet, the ladies were not the full center of attention in this story. Now, it was about two dueling spies...Aimee and Simon. Simon is the professional here. Aimee is the newbie. In fact, she is not a very good spy. Yet, she tries so hard that it is hard not to like her. I am so glad that Simon and Aimee's connection was not an insta-romance. Simon was the gentleman.

However, don't let their story fool you as it is not all romance. There is action as well and a happy ending. This was one of the easiest books for me to read. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. Wed to a Spy is Queen worthy! ( )

Anytime I have the opportunity to read one of Sharon Cullen’s novels, I will. She is an auto-buy for me—I started following her when she first started her writing career and look forward to every read. This advanced copy is provided to me by the publisher for a review and all my opinions and comments are freely given.

Wed to a Spy is humorous at times, although there is plenty of suspense, danger and action-packed scenes. I enjoyed how Cullen’s gave us a glimpse into the events in history involving Queen Mary, her relationship with Queen Elizabeth of England and her association with the king of France.

I appreciated Aimee’s struggle with her task as a spy, her innocence, yet manipulated by her own country’s powerful people, including those she experiences in Scotland and then again in England. She’s a spy, but not of her choosing and certainly not from any ability she has. Queen Mary soon realizes she is there to watch her and report to France. With a twist of ‘I’ll get even’, she decides to wed Aimee to Simon, who she thinks also an English spy.

The couple are given no choice. They marry, they escape the danger of Queen Mary’s treachery at court. They are then listed to be brought in with treason on their heads. A painful way to begin a relationship, but this danger only brings these two spies together–trust is necessary to come out alive.

I adored Simon who honored his marriage vows even though he is coerced into marrying Aimee. He protects her, respects her and eventually falls so deeply in love with her, you will start believing in arranged marriage! I also approved of Simon’s concern for other spies left behind in Scotland. He has made fast friends with Tristan and Will, two men I hope to read about in the sequels.

Simon learns his little French woman has more gumption than he first thinks, and strength, both physical and emotionally, which does her in good stead and saves his backside.

The story is fast-paced, humorous, suspenseful and easily read in a very short time, a page-turner you won’t be able to put it down. Passion and love will clutch your heart before you turn the last page. ( )

I received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review. I loved this storyline of a spy being married to a spy by the queen. Aimee believes she is in love with her fellow French countryman (Pierre) but once she meets Simon, she realizes who she loves. My only outstanding question was if Pierre was in on the plot to send Aimee to Scotland. Overall a very good read. ( )