ARC Review: Whisper And Spies by Sheridan Jeane
The beginning of Sheridan Jeane’s Shadow Of The Black Rose series starts not with a bang but with intrigue, a woman trying to find her place in good society, and possible treason around every corner.
The female main character Helena is endearing, witty, and surprisingly sure of herself in almost every way that matters. In matters of the heart, however, she doesn’t see herself clearly and doesn’t allow herself to be truly seen by others.
She is drawn into a fake engagement with the quiet, brooding male main character James. James, a wounded war hero, is struggling to find purpose without the military and seeking safety after being betrayed by one of his own men.
James and Helena are tasked with faking an engagement in order to infiltrate a secret society that the government knows is plotting treason.
What follows is a fun flurry of dinner parties, rendezvous in secret places, mild bodily harm, and the constant risk of being discovered. When things do end up exploding, James and Helena have found love in one another and a new purpose in life as a team.
The whispers and spies the title calls out are extensive, enthusiastic, and entertaining. The novel is a fun and flirty tale that is sure to entertain. James and Helena’s relationship starts with a spark but seems to flicker for quite some time. I think much of their relationship is forged under pressure and the threat of danger but they do seem to find true love with one another in the end. Parts of the book are a bit of a reach. A young woman of good breeding knowing how to defuse a bomb is fun but the brief interlude about her father teaching her how to fiddle with codes and clocks doesn’t totally explain it. There is an extensive cast of characters that I sometimes struggled to follow. Although Aunt Prudence might now be my new favorite meddling aunt character. Her presence and dialogue made me laugh every time.
Despite some issues along the way - the chapter headings weren’t consistent, the plot sometimes wavered, and the romance development wasn’t always strong - Whispers And Spies was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a dash of danger with their historical romance.
Many thanks to Dragonblade Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader copy to review.
