Sandy M’s review of An Indecent Invitation (Spies and Lovers, Book 1) by Laura Trentham
Historical Romance published by Samhain 25 Aug 15
This is my first book by Ms. Trentham. While I enjoyed a good part of this book, what kept me from really enjoying the whole thing was the heroine. I realize she was trying to write Lily as a strong, independent woman, but most of the time she acted too irrationally and spontaneously, especially in the middle of danger. Her common sense seemed to have taken a vacation during most of the story.
Gray Masterson has been away for eight years, on a mission for the Crown. He lost a bet to his best friend Rafe and as the loser he now has to keep an eye on Lily, Rafe’s younger sister. He recalls Lily as an annoying child, and with that memory in his head he doesn’t recognize her when he notices a beautiful debutante at a ball. Then he’s in rescue mode when Lily receives a note to meet the sender in the garden. She believes the note is from Gray, but this is the start of Lily acting before thinking, which I really don’t like in a heroine.
Lily’s and Rafe’s father has been missing for months, and she wants to be in the thick of things in investigating to search for him. So many opportunities for Lily to toss aside Gray’s advice to stay put, don’t go there, or whatever else to keep her safe. He’s the professional spy. She’s an earl’s daughter. Thus, Gray goes through a lot of frustration, along with lust and jealousy, in dealing with this woman. I think that’s why, other than the sex scenes, I really never felt a connection with these two as a couple. Of course, Gray tries to stay away from the sex with her – she’s his best friend’s sister and his mentor’s daughter, and he’s not an aristocrat, though that doesn’t mean much to anyone but him, because he was raised with them so they’re like siblings.
I’m actually more intrigued by Rafe. He’s been out of society for a while due to injuries he received during a mission. I enjoyed his few scenes with Minerva, a friend of Lily’s. That book came out in January, so I’m hoping to read it soon. I do like Ms. Trenthan’s writing. You get the feel of the era, and even though there’s some parts of the book that don’t work for me, there’s some that do. Except the villain. After all that happens, I’m a bit let down by who it ends being. But I will try A Brazen Bargain to give the series a second chance.
Grade: C+
Summary:
Keeping her safe is difficult, keeping a proper distance from her is downright impossible.
Lady Lily Drummond understands only too well the danger of spy work. Her father, a preeminent master spy, has been missing for months, and her brother barely survived his final mission for the Crown. Lily is still determined to help find her father, no matter how hard her brother and his best friend try to keep her in the dark.
Busy trying to untangle the web of deceit surrounding the Earl of Windor’s disappearance, Crown spy Gray Masterson also has to ensure Lily Drummond, the gangly, awkward child who was his constant shadow growing up, doesn’t get herself ruined at her London debut. But the girl with scraped knees and elbows has evolved into a lush, sensual beauty surrounded by a bevy of suitors.
Realizing Lily is going to investigate on her own if he doesn’t let her join the hunt for her missing father, Gray assumes he can give Lily a few minor tasks to pacify her, but he quickly learns she is a valuable asset. Moreover, she fairly crackles with life and warmth—things he craves after his dark years in service.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
