With the third book in the series the author might be hitting her stride. Alice, one of the top agents in a secret government department dedicated to spying on the pirates, is paired up with another top agent, Bixby in order to infiltrate a pirate house party. They must disguise themselves as husband and wife in order to do this. It's cute and has a satisfying ending.

library book read 8/28/2023 ( )

This book is an outrageously fun read! I was amazed to get swept up in a grown up world of pirates, witches, and hilarious, but effective secret agents. It's a veritable Harry Potteresque literary world for grown ups (and I do mean grown ups, as it has some definite R rated material).

A.U.N.T.'s (Agency of Undercover Note Takers) best agents, Agent A and Agent B are on assignment together to prevent the possible assasination of the Queen. They'e in for a wild week at a house party of pirates and witches and you won't want to miss this invitation to join them. And I do mean you're in for a wild ride, quite literally--as in this realm houses fly and Pirates fly them!

The humor throughout is brilliant and somehow through all the fantastic plot, hilarious comedy and outlandish situations Agents A and B are involved in; this story manages to also be a romance, and a very convincing one at that! Honestly, I didn't think this combination of elements was possible. Count me in. I'm an India Holton fan! Her imagination has brought us an entertaining and uplifting new series. I can't wait for more. ( )

This book is my favourite of the series, possibly because the MCs are more relatable. Both orphans trained to be spies and assassins, they are the best at what they do but have had emotions beaten out of them (literally). But they have always been fascinated with each by reputation and when they are forced to work undercover as a married couple among the pirates of this series, they fall in love and dare to dream of a future of their making. What I really love about them is that they just get each other, and their fastidiousness (which is really a way of them having control and pride in what they do) that annoys everyone else becomes a huge turn on in each other.

And the epilogue is just lovely, a moment with all three of the couples in this series, just being good friends. A lovely way to end it. It's been a wild ride. ( )

urban-fantasy, historical-fiction, romance, magic, witches, pirates, espionage, punny, snarky, disguises, unputdownable, laugh-riot, laugh-out-loud, New Zealand-author*****

Between the publisher's blurb and the Table Of Significant Characters, it was obvious that this was going to be a Great Fun Read. And so it is! There is fantastic wordplay of all sorts, terrific world building, the zaniest characters ever, and a real plot! LOVED IT!
I requested and received an e-book copy from Berkley Publishing Group/Berkley/ courtesy of NetGalley. Thank you! ( )